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Erika Bourne RN, CMTPT
Erika Bourne Quick Facts
Main Areas: PainCareer Focus: Therapist, Author
Affiliation: NAMTPT, IMS, SUNA, IPPS, AAPM, ASPMN
Erika
has owned and operated Myofascial Pain Treatment Center in the
Metrowest Boston area for over twenty two years. She is a Registered
Nurse and is a Board Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist.
After completing the two year training at the Bonnie Prudden
School/Academy of Myotherapy and Physical Fitness in Lenox, MA, she
moved to Waltham, MA and started her practice in Waltham in 1986.
Erika
is certified in Dry Needling by the Travell Seminar Series and board
certified with the American Academy of Pain Management. She is the
current president of of the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists, and is a member of the International MyoPain Society, the American Society of Pain Management Nursing, the American Academy of Pain Management, the International Pelvic Pain Society and the Society of Urological Nurses and Associates.
Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Erika Bourne
What is Myofascial Pain?
MYO
is muscle: FASCIA is the connective tissue that holds us together.
Myofascial pain comes from trigger points in muscles and the fascia
that is interwoven throughout and covering them.
What are Trigger points?
Trigger
points are hypersensitive, tightened areas, known as taut bands, which
can occur in any muscle. Trigger points cause pain, tingling, burning,
weakness and other symptoms. They have a special property called
referred pain. This means that they cause pain right where they are
AND pain in other areas. To see referred pain patterns and whether they
match your pain click here.
How Do I get Trigger Points?
They
are established by the trauma that occurs during injury from accidents,
sports, occupations and disease. Physical or emotional stress
frequently aggravates trigger points. Myofascial pain accounts for as
much as 85% of the pain people suffer from. Acute and chronic
myofascial pain due to trigger points is a very common condition.
Getting Started With Erika Bourne
There are two main techniques that I use
to treat myofascial pain. Some patients have the manual therapy and
some choose to add the needling as well.
The first technique is manual myofascial trigger point therapy.
This technique is hands-on and involves using deep pressure to trigger
points. The goal is to release the contraction of the trigger point.
Myofascial release techniques and stretching are also done. Often I
will give stretches for you to do on your own. If you are interested
in learning how to do self treatment I can teach you how.
The second technique is called dry needling or intramuscular stimulation. A physician referral is required for the dry needling . A very fine needle is put into the trigger point to get it to release. Acupuncture needles are used but it is not an acupuncture technique. This technique can reach some muscles that can't be reached by hand and is extremely effective.
