Books about Massage Therapy:
for Practitioners and Students

1. Massage for the Hospital Patient and Medically Frail Client (09-2004)
2. Orthopedic Massage: Theory and Technique (2003)
3. Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques (2002)
4. Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People With Cancer (1999)
5. Medical Massage (1998)
6. Therapeutic Massage : A Scientific Approach (2000)
   On other pages
7. Travell & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual
8. Informed Touch: A Clinician's Guide to the Evaluation and Treatment of Myofascial Disorders
9. The Myofascial Release Manual
10. The Manual of Trigger Point and Myofascial Therapy
11. Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment
12. Spinal Manipulation Made Simple: A Manual of Soft Tissue Techniques
13. Introduction to Lymph Drainage Massage
14. The Complete Guide to Sports Massage

Massage for the Hospital Patient and Medically Frail Client (Lww in Touch)
by Gayle MacDonald

Amazon.com Price - Quick Click Buying

Order this Book Now!
(You can always remove/buy it later)

   »  from Amazon.com
   »  from Amazon.co.uk

Description
This one-of-a-kind resource presents the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe and effective massage therapy to clients in the acute care setting. Focusing on massage pressure, site, and positioning adjustments, this easy-to-use text helps therapists organise patient data and plan massage sessions for any area of the hospital. Massage for the Hospital Patient and Medically Fragile Client portrays how massage therapy complements medical treatments to increase comfort, improve clinical outcomes and promote wholeness in both clients and those who care for them. Technical and medical knowledge are explained in simplistic terms so readers can understand unknown topics easily.Learning aids featured in the book include: Abundant illustrations - convey concepts such as body mechanics, draping, medical devices and procedures Case studies, vocabulary, resources and end of chapter "Test Yourself exercises reinforce key terms and conceptsRecurrent "Teaching Tips offer practical suggestions, from building rapport with staff to the art of moving hospital furniture

Top

Orthopedic Massage: Theory and Technique
by Whitney W Lowe

Amazon.com Price - Quick Click Buying

Order this Book Now!
(You can always remove/buy it later)

   »  from Amazon.com
   »  from Amazon.co.uk

Book Description
A definitive reference on the use of massage therapy to treat pain and injury conditions. This unique reference provides a wealth of information on the use of massage therapy to treat pain and injury conditions.

About the Author
Whitney W Lowe, LMT, Director, Orthopedic Massage Education and Research Institute, Bend, OR.

Top

Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques
by Art Riggs

Amazon.com Price - Quick Click Buying

Order this Book Now!
(You can always remove/buy it later)

   »  from Amazon.com
   »  from Amazon.co.uk

Book Info
(North Atlantic Books) Textbook-style manual for massage therapists who have completed or are in the process of completing basic massage training. Includes many photographs and illustrations for reference, biomechanics for preventing injury, and directions for treatment and rehabilitation for common complaints. Quick-reference guide to techniques. DNLM: Massage--methods--Atlases.

Reader Review
GREAT BOOK!, August 13, 2002
Reviewer: Justine Jacobs from West Chester, PA
Great Book!!! It paid for itself several times over in the first week by clients commenting on the new ways I work and then re-booking and sending referrals. [...]

A Wonderful Tool for both Learning and Practice, August 5, 2002
Reviewer: Keith Eric Grant from Pleasanton, CA USA
I've had the pleasure of teaching deep tissue classes at the McKinnon Institute from a preprint version of this book for several years. I've found it to be a very well organized tool for students to learn from. The combination of pictures with short technique descriptions and of more details given on the text pages plays well for different learning styles. Even better, it's a book that can be used both for a quick technique refresh before working with a client or for a more in depth review of the motivations behind the work. In the short time since the book has been formally published, I've already used it multiple times as a reference for a column I write for Massage Today. It has been and continues to be the book I was looking for long before Art Riggs wrote it.

Top

Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People With Cancer
by Gayle MacDonald

Amazon.com Price - Quick Click Buying

Order this Book Now!
(You can always remove/buy it later)

   »  from Amazon.com
   »  from Amazon.co.uk

Book Description
Medicine Hands debunks a pervasive health myth that massage is anathema for those suffering with cancer. The idea that cancer can metastasize as a result of massage is not rooted in any science. This book cites clinical evidence that proves just the opposite. Touch and massage are vital to a cancer patient’s health and well-being.
Medicine Hands is a practical book written for both health professionals and the lay person. Research is highlighted with anecdotes, stories, and vignettes of cancer patients, massage therapists, caregivers, hospice workers and other health professionals. Practical information is presented on administering touch, drug-related considerations, providing care at home, and dealing with hospital and hospice situations.

Medicine Hands is an invaluable resource for:
Massage therapists and other touch therapists
Cancer patients and their caregivers and families
Oncologists and cancer treatment centers
Natural health clinics
Massage and alternative medicine educational settings
Health care professionals: nurses, doctors, hospice workers


About the Author
Gayle MacDonald, M.S., L.M.T, a long time health educator and veteran massage therapist, finds that her personal and professional interests are inseparable. It was after suffering ill health herself that she became the health and physical educator she had always wanted to be. She continues to teach in her native Oregon, helping others to expand their awareness that in massage they are performing a service that integrates the sacred with the mundane, and that they not only touch their patients body, but also their heart, mind and soul.


Reader Reviews
Massage does ease physical & emotional pain., July 14, 1999
Reviewer: laluna@netgenie.com (Seattle, Washington) - See more about me at Amazon.com
The American Cancer Society has recently listed Massage as a form of releif of pain for cancer patients. This was a big step and Gayle MacDonald's book is the next step. Often times the touch that cancer patients are recieving is not comforting, it is only related to often painful treatment. To be touched by someone with a compasionate intent is amazing. Gayle exlpains that healing touch is not the ability of a person to literaly touch and cure someone, healing is a sense of peace, a pain free hour, quality of end of life. Gayle does an amazing job of getting thoughts and techniques out to help people wishing to become more educated in this area of massage. Gayle is sharing imortant knowledge and it is written in a way that a student, Massage Therapist of 10 years, or family member of someone with cancer can read and gain an amazing understanding of the best way to treat those with cancer.

Excellent book!, August 23, 2000
Reviewer: A reader
I was privileged to take a weekend seminar from Gayle MacDonald, and I purchased the book at that time. Her amazing compassion and caring are evident in every line of this book. If you have been told that massage is not appropriate for people living with cancer, this book will change your thinking. The book also gives a very good basic description of the process that cells go through to become cancerous, and de-mystifies some of the treatments that patients go through. Medicine Hands is a practical, down to earth book that is well worth reading. It is an excellent book for anyone living with cancer - in one's self or in a loved one.


Table of Contents
Preface ** Introduction ** Examing the Fear ** Content Overview ** Changing Beliefs and Practice ** Personal Note ** References ** Dispelling the Myths About Metastasis: Facts ** About How Cancer Spreads ** Qualities of Cancer Cells ** The Spread of Cancer ** Direct Spread ** Metastatic Spread ** Host Factors ** A Summary of Bodywork Implications ** Final Thoughts ** References ** Touch---Rx for Body, Mind, and Heart: A ** Review of the Research and Literature ** Massage -- A Therapy for the Whole Person ** Pain ** Quality of Life ** Psychosocial Support ** A Summary of Research ** Existing Research ** Research in Progress ** Ideas for Future Research ** Final Thoughts ** Acknowledgment ** References ** Piecing the Body Together: Massage for the Hospitalized Patient ** Adapting to a New Culture ** Liability ** Confidentiality ** Hospital Dynamics ** Nursing Staff ** Suggested Attire and Grooming ** Universal Precautions and Protective ** Isolation Precautions ** Handwashing ** Gloving ** Masking and Gloving ** Gowning ** Linen Handling ** Handling of Work Clothes ** The Massage Session ** Before the Session ** During the Session ** After the Session


Browse Related Books
Alternative Cancer Treatment
Holistic Cancer Treatment

Back to this Title | Top

Medical Massage
by Turchaninov Ross, C. A. Cox, R. Turchaninov

Amazon.com Price - Quick Click Buying

Order this Book Now!
(You can always remove/buy it later)

   »  from Amazon.com
   »  from Amazon.co.uk

Book Description
This unique book represents a completely new approach to massage therapy for the American audience. It demonstrates the Western view of medical massage and analyzes it’s place in modern medicine. The book reveals a detailed description of the different methods of medical massage treatment. This knowledge emerged in the beginning of the 20th century and has been accumulated within the medical communities of Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Poland, and other European countries. Specially created scientific research institutes in these countries have lead the most prominent physicians developing new methods, approaches and techniques for medical massage. The book is based on these latest discoveries and recommendations.

Each chapter of the book clearly explains the specifics of different types of medical massage and how each type may be applied in cases of pathology of the central and peripheral nervous systems and musculoskeletal system. To increase the practical value of the book as a guide to effective massage therapy, the authors have provided information on using the method of classical therapeutic massage for the treatment of the discussed pathologies. This book will help the practitioner to design and apply a course of medical massage for more than 60 common disorders of musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The book is richly illustrated with more than 400 diagrams and photos.

Table of Contents
WHAT IS MEDICAL MASSAGE?
Distinctive Characteristics - Contraindications - General Principles of Diagnostic Examination

METHODS OF MEDICAL MASSAGE
Connnective Tissue Massage - Segment-Reflex Massage - Periostal Massage - Method of Postisometric Muscular Relaxation - Manakov's System of Stretching Massage - Lymph Drainage Massage - Vibration Massage

MEDICAL MASSAGE FOR DISEASES AND TRAUMAS PERIPHERAL AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS

CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
Cervicocranialgia - Anterior scalene muscle syndrome - Trapezius muscle syndrome - Levator scapulae muscle syndrome - Cervical radiculopathy

THORACIC SPONDYLOSIS
Thoracalgia - False cardialgia syndrome

LUMBO-SACRAL SPONDYLOSIS
Lumbar radiculopathy. Lumbago - Lumbalgia - Iliopsoas muscle syndrome - Piriformis muscle syndrome

PATHOLOGY OF CRANIAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVES
Facial nerve neuralgia. Bell's palsy - Trigeminal nerve neuralgia - Musculocutaneous nerve neuralgia - Ulnar nerve neuralgia - Radial nerve neuralgia - Median nerve neuralgia. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Pronator - teres muscle syndrome - Femoral nerve neuralgia - Obturator nerve neuralgia - Sciatic nerve neuralgia - Common peroneal nerve neuralgia - Tibial nerve neuralgia. Tarsal tunnel syndrome

PATHOLOGY OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Stroke - Cerebral palsy syndrome

MEDICAL MASSAGE IN CASES OF TRAUMAS AND DISEASES OF THE MUSCULAR AND SKELETAL SYSTEMS

TRAUMAS
Contusions - Ligamental sprain - Rotator cuff syndrome - Deltoid muscle syndrome - Rhomboideus major and minor muscles syndrome - Extensor digitorum muscle syndrome - Tensor fascia lata muscle syndrome - Tendinitis - Achillodynia - Epicondylitis. Tennis elbow. Golfer's elbow - Menisci injuries - Sprained ankle joint - Luxations - Fractures

DISEASES
Osteoarthritis - TMJ - Rheumatoid arthritis - Scoliosis - Dupuytren's contracture - Trochanteritis - Osgood-Schlatter disease - Flatfoot - Calcaneal spur syndrome - Hallus valgus - Fibromyalgia

Back to this Title | Top

Therapeutic Massage : A Scientific Approach
by R. Turchaninov

Amazon.com Price - Quick Click Buying

Order this Book Now!
(You can always remove/buy it later)

   »  from Amazon.com
   »  from Amazon.co.uk

Book Description
What is massage? Art, spiritual healing or part of modern medicine with a scientific approach to its therapeutic possibilities? The author offers the reader an opportunity to study and practice massage as a part of modern science. Inside, the reader will find comprehensive theoretical and practical information on this matter.

The theoretical background of this publication is formed by the review of 350 of the most important and influential articles, books and other publications from all around the Western world dating from the middle of the 19th century to the present time. The analysis of this extensive information also includes the modern theories of the physiological and therapeutic impacts of massage on the human body. Readers will find information on how modern science sees and explains the way mechanical stimuli evoke intimate processes on the cellular and tissue levels and how the therapeutic impact of massage therapy is formed.

Another positive side of this book is its representation of the modern view on the physiology of the pain, the “gate control” theory of pain and rules of using a pain analyzing system for the patient’s benefit. If it is necessary to activate pain receptors during the treatment, measures to control pain are discussed as well.

In the special chapter: “Hand as therapeutic tool” the author presents extremely valuable information for everyone who practices massage therapy. Readers will find a lot of practical tips on how to effectively use their hands to be able to work longer and more productively, how to prevent injuries during massage treatment, and measures to increase their hands’ endurance and decrease their exhaustion.

Finally the author summarizes and represents in detail more than 60 variations of 7 basic therapeutic techniques (effleurage, friction, kneading, vibration, percussion, compression, and stretching) which are employed by Western massage schools. Some of these techniques are used in Swedish massage, but some are quite unique. They were created during decades of experimental and clinical studies by scientists who shaped the Russian massage school.

The book is richly illustrated with 126 diagrams and photos.

Reader Review
Highly Recommended book on massage therapy, April 26, 2000
Reviewer: sabs77 from Los Angeles, CA
Excellent choice for the student (or practitioner)of massage therapy. Great as a reference guide to follow up on lessons formally learned in school. Very well organized and carefully explained techniques. Good use of illustrations. Very helpful bibliography for further study on every topic covered. .

Table of Contents

THE METHODS OF WESTERN MASSAGE THERAPY
Preventive Massage Therapy - Medical Massage - Sports Massage

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF MASSAGE ON THE SYSTEMS AND ORGANS OF THE HUMAN BODY

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Central Nervous System - Peripheral Nervous System

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Cardiac and Cerebral Circulation - Peripheral Arterio-Venous Circulation - Effect of Massage on Blood Parameters

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Experimental Studies - Clinical Studies - Vodder's Lymph Drainage Massage

MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Experimental and Clinical Studies - Massage and Athlete's Recovery

SKELETAL SYSTEM

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Experimental Studies - Clinical Studies

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

URINARY SYSTEM

GENITAL SYSTEM
Female Genital System - Male Genital System

MASSAGE DURING PREGNANCY

MASSAGE IN PEDIATRY

MASSAGE IN DERMATOLOGICAL PRACTICE

OTHER EFFECTS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

PRESSURE AND MECHANISMS OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF MASSAGE THERAPY

MECHANISMS OF THERAPEUTIC IMPACT OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Indirect, Reflex Mechanism - Direct, Local Mechanism

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PRESSURE

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PAIN. THE PAIN-ANALYZING SYSTEM AND ITS CORRECT ACTIVATION BY MASSAGE THERAPY

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PAIN

"GATE-CONTROL" THEORY OF PAIN

PAIN AND MASSAGE THERAPY
Inhibitory Regime of Massage Therapy - Gradual Increasing of Applied Pressure - Permanent Vibration - Activation of Central Control Trigger

OUTCOMES OF INAPPROPRIATE APPLICATION OF PRESSURE DURING THE MASSAGE TREATMENT
Withdrawal Reflex - Fast Pain System - Indirect Activation of Muscle Spindle Receptors

GENERAL RULES OF CORRECT APPLICATION OF STRONG PRESSURE

THE HAND AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL. THE CONTACT AREAS FOR MASSAGE TREATMENT

ANATOMO-BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HUMAN HAND FROM THE MASSAGE THERAPY POINT OF VIEW
Skeleton of the Hand - Ligamental Support - Muscles of the Forearm and Hand - Skin

PROFESSIONAL INJURIES AND DISEASES OF THE HAND

GENERAL MEASURES FOR INJURY PREVENTION

CONTACT AREAS OF THE HAND

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

EFFLEURAGE
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Effleurage - flat superficial - flat strong - grasping permanent - grasping permanent with unequally distributed pressure - ridging - raking - with locked hands - pinching

FRICTION
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Friction - sawing - aligned - stretching - planning - Sarkisov-Sirasini's - crossing

Cyriax's
ridging - friction-kneading - superficial

KNEADING
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Kneading - longitudinal permanent - transverse permanent - longitudinal and transverse interruptive - simple - digital - scrolling - double circular - mobile - pinching - wave - rolling - stretching - tissue displacement

VIBRATION
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Vibration - direct - supportive techniques of vibration: shaking, rocking, pushing, pinching

PERCUSSION
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Percussion - techniques of simple percussion: tapping, slapping, hacking, beating - cupping - whipping

COMPRESSION
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Compression - regional - pumping - ischemic compression

PASSIVE STRETCHING
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Passive Stretching - segmental - local

Back to this Title | Top

Discount Note
The discount displayed on some Book Covers refers to Amazon.com which may change from time to time and may differ from the discount applied by Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.ca.

Portions © Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates