Grounded in scientific and clinical evidence, this highly illustrated new guide gives an introduction to the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders using the Fascial Manipulation (FM) method developed by Luigi Stecco – the foremost scientifically valid method of evaluating and treating fascial dysfunction. It describes FM’s history, anatomy and physiology of fasciae, indications and contraindications, mechanisms of action, and details of the subjective and physical techniques used to manage disorders. A Practical Guide to Fascial Manipulation focuses on concepts around evaluating the fascia based on functional testing, movement and direction in specific spatial planes, and the location of specific areas to treat safely. With an emphasis throughout on accessible practical information, the book is also supported by a website – www.guidefascial.com – containing procedural video clips and an image bank.

This second edition of this very successful book includes chapters written by experts in the methods of manual treatment and provides step-by-step instructions on how to examine your patient using a logical sequence of passive, contractile, and special tests, and how to relate findings to biomechanical problems and lesions. Included are hundreds of diagrams, photographs, illustrations, and summary charts. In this second edition, chapters from the first edition have been thoroughly revised and updated and new material has been added on Myofascial Release, Somatics, Post-Facilitation Stretch, Friction Massage, Hypo- and Hyperpronation of the Foot, Strain and Counter Strain, Gait, the Extremities, and the Spine.

"Osteopathy and other systems of manual medicine have developed a variety of models for understanding the mechanics of proper and improper motion of the musculoskeletal system. In this important and pioneering work, that same structural vision is applied to the visceral system. The central premise of 'Visceral Manipulation' is that the interrelationship of structure and function among the internal organs is at least as strong as that among the constituents of the musculoskeletal system; and that, like the musculoskeletal system, manipulation of the viscera can be beneficially used in the treatment of a wide variety of problems affecting any of the body's systems."--Publisher description.

This book is the product of an important collaboration between clinicians of the manual therapies and scientists in several disciplines that grew out of the three recent International Fascia Research Congresses (Boston, Amsterdam, and Vancouver). The book editors, Thomas Findley MD PhD, Robert Schleip PhD, Peter Huijing PhD and Leon Chaitow DO, were major organizers of these congresses and used their extensive experience to select chapters and contributors for this book. This volume therefore brings together contributors from diverse backgrounds who share the desire to bridge the gap between theory and practice in our current knowledge of the fascia and goes beyond the 2007, 2009 and 2012 congresses to define the state-of-the-art, from both the clinical and scientific perspective. Prepared by over 100 specialists and researchers from throughout the world, Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body will be ideal for all professionals who have an interest in fascia and human movement - physiotherapists, osteopathic physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, structural integration practitioners, manual therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, yoga or Pilates instructors, exercise scientists and personal trainers - as well as physicians involved with musculoskeletal medicine, pain management and rehabilitation, and basic scientists working in the field. - Reflects the efforts of almost 100 scientists and clinicians from throughout the world - Offers comprehensive coverage ranging from anatomy and physiology, clinical conditions and associated therapies, to recently developed research techniques - Explores the role of fascia as a bodywide communication system - Presents the latest information available on myofascial force transmission which helps establish a scientific basis for given clinical experiences - Explores the importance of fascia as a sensory organ - for example, its important proprioceptive and nociceptive functions which have implications for the generation of low back pain - Describes new imaging methods which confirm the connectivity of organs and tissues - Designed to organize relevant information for professionals involved in the therapeutic manipulation of the body's connective tissue matrix (fascia) as well as for scientists involved in basic science research - Reflects the increasing need for information about the properties of fascia, particularly for osteopaths, massage therapists, physiotherapists and other complementary health care professionals - Offers new insights on the fascial related foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridians and the fascial effects of acupuncture

This work demonstrates a novel approach to visceral osteopathy. Basing their ideas on anatomy and physiology, Jean-Pierre Barral and Alain Croibier propose manipulation of the arteries to treat the intestines and other internal organs by increasing their blood flow. The arteries, elastic and muscular in structure, and the innumerable nerve filaments which surround them, react ideally to manual treatment. To be effective, however, these manipulations must be specific and precise. Thanks to the authors' long experience as therapists, their mastery of osteopathic techniques and the aid of ultrasound technology, they have devised innovative techniques to improve the visceral vascular circulation. In this book the authors show the various sites of the principle pulses of the body and summarise the physiology of the circulation of the blood. The main organs and their physiology are addressed and include the heart, pancreas, small intestine, colon and other abdominal structures as well as the regions of the neck, skull and pelvic cavity. Rich in detailed, high quality illustrations, this book serves as both an anatomical reference and a guide to carrying out visceral vascular manipulations in the most effective way possible. The work is aimed at experienced osteopaths as well as those in training, and at other manual therapists who wish to widen their scope. - Offers practical and clinically relevant information to all practitioners and therapists working in the field - Abundant use of pull-out boxes, line artwork, photographs and tables facilitates ease of understanding - Prepared by experts of international renown - Covers treatment of the main organs including the heart, pancreas, small intestine, colon and other abdominal structures as well as the regions of the neck, skull and pelvic cavity - Serves as both an anatomical reference and a guide to carrying out visceral vascular manipulations in the most effective way possible - Suitable for osteopathic physicians and osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, manual therapists, physiotherapists, and massage therapists

This superbly illustrated text familiarizes students with individual muscles and muscle systems and demonstrates basic clinical massage therapy techniques. More than 550 full-color illustrations of internal structures are embedded into photographs of live models to show each muscle or muscle group, surrounding structures, surface landmarks, and the therapist's hands. Students see clearly which muscle is being worked, where it is, where it is attached, how it can be accessed manually, what problems it can cause, and how treatment techniques are performed. This edition features improved illustrations of draping and includes palpation for each muscle. An accompanying Real Bodywork DVD includes video demonstrations of massage techniques from the book.