[1] It is a system of diagnosis and treatment that uses tender points, which are produced by trauma, inflammation, postural strain, or disease, to identify structures to manipulate.
[2] The manipulation uses light pressure to decompress the local nociceptors and mechanoreceptors responsible for the sensation of pain, returning central sensitization to its normal state.
Tender points are small, discrete, edematous areas on the body that elicit pain when palpated.
Success of treatment is evaluated by reassessing both the tender point and any accompanying change in range of motion.
[7] The technique has developed to include variations of manipulations and methods to identify tender points.