A collection of tried and tested, effective and safe techniques and exercises for relaxing muscles in spasm and easing associated muscular pain, this is a handbook which the therapist can also safely recommend to his or her patients to buy and use themselves.

Great athletes make difficult moves look effortless with a combination of skill, strength, and balance. Traditional conditioning builds a fitness base, but modern sports training takes into account athletic movement patterns. Athletic Body in Balance is the first guide of its kind to show you how to train for smooth, fluid movement and prevent muscle imbalances, mobility restrictions, stability problems, and injuries. Physical therapist and sports conditioning expert Gray Cook has proven the effectiveness of his approach through the performances of athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, WNBA, and Reebok® University's sports training system. Cook's methods will help you identify functional weaknesses; correct imbalances; explore your potential; and refine sport-specific movement skills such as jumping, kicking, cutting, and turning. You will see where conditioning is breaking down and how to get your body back on track. Whereas other books concentrate on maximizing your strengths, Athletic Body in Balance focuses on exposing and overcoming your weaknesses to form a foundation for long-term training gains. Learn how to maintain what you gain and build on your improvements. Make this comprehensive assessment tool your training guide. Prepare and repair your body for ultimate athletic performance with Athletic Body in Balance.

A longtime teacher and Harvard researcher presents the latest science on the benefits of T’ai Chi as well as a practical daily program for practitioners of all ages Conventional medical science on the Chinese art of T’ai Chi now shows what T’ai Chi masters have known for centuries: regular practice leads to more vigor and flexibility, better balance and mobility, and a sense of well-being. Cutting-edge research from Harvard Medical School also supports the long-standing claims that T’ai Chi also has a beneficial impact on the health of the heart, bones, nerves and muscles, immune system, and the mind. This research provides fascinating insight into the underlying physiological mechanisms that explain how T’ai Chi actually works. Dr. Peter M. Wayne, a longtime T’ai Chi teacher and a researcher at Harvard Medical School, developed and tested protocols similar to the simplified program he includes in this book, which is suited to people of all ages, and can be done in just a few minutes a day. This book includes: • The basic program, illustrated by more than 50 photographs • Practical tips for integrating T’ai Chi into everyday activities • An introduction to the traditional principles of T’ai Chi • Up-to-date summaries of the research on the health benefits of T’ai Chi • How T’ai Chi can enhance work productivity, creativity, and sports performance • And much more

A MASSAGE THERAPIST'S GUIDE TO LOWER BACK AND PELVIC PAIN describes in detail the background to the evolution of "non-specific" backache as well as the assessment and treatment methods ideal for use in combination with massage therapy, deriving from physical therapy, osteopathic, and chiropractic sources. The book describes these methods individually and then integrates them into a detailed description of a massage session focusing on the person with backache. This unique book takes care to consider the needs of the massage therapist, who previously may have had to adapt his/her own methodology from descriptions aimed at other health care professionals. - Includes access to website - www.chaitowonline.com - which contains videos demonstrating real-life examples of the palpation and treatment methods. - Abundant illustrations enrich the text and bring content to life to make it easily understandable. - Bulleted point text and summaries allow the reader to quickly find information and review important content. - Easy-reference format and accessible language help break down concepts. - Includes access to website - www.chaitowonline.com - which contains videos demonstrating real-life examples of the palpation and treatment methods.

Describing the background to the evolution of Rnon-specificS backache as well as the assessment and treatment methods ideal for use in combination with massage therapy, deriving from physical therapy, osteopathic, and chiropractic sources, this book describes these methods individually and then integrates them into a detailed description of a massage session focusing on the person with backache.

A MASSAGE THERAPIST'S GUIDE TO LOWER BACK AND PELVIC PAIN describes in detail the background to the evolution of "non-specific" backache as well as the assessment and treatment methods ideal for use in combination with massage therapy, deriving from physical therapy, osteopathic, and chiropractic sources. The book describes these methods individually and then integrates them into a detailed description of a massage session focusing on the person with backache. This unique book takes care to consider the needs of the massage therapist, who previously may have had to adapt his/her own methodology from descriptions aimed at other health care professionals. Abundant illustrations enrich the text and bring content to life to make it easily understandable. Bulleted point text and summaries allow the reader to quickly find information and review important content. Easy-reference format and accessible language help break down concepts. Accompanying website [previously a DVD] demonstrates real-life examples of the palpation and treatment methods.

Designed to assist the student in acquiring and applying the ideas, concepts and methods contained in the two volumes of "Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques". This title presents 34 case histories, differential diagnosis discussions and questions. Questions regarding contra-indications, tests, and details are also provided.

Covering advanced massage therapy skills, this practical resource prepares you to work with medical professionals in a clinical setting, such as a hospital, hospice, long-term care, or other health-related practice. It discusses the many skills you need to succeed in this environment, helping you become a contributing member of an integrated team. Also covered are the essentials of clinical massage, such as indications and contraindications, review of massage methods, range of motion testing, SOAP note documentation, and a massage therapy general protocol. Case studies show how a multidisciplinary approach applies to real-world clients. By coordinating your work with other health professionals, you can enhance patient care in any clinical setting! - Includes a DVD with: - Two hours of video showing specific applications, featuring author Sandy Fritz. - A complete general protocol for massage. - State-of-the-art animations depicting biologic functions and medical procedures. - 700 full-color illustrations accompany procedures, concepts, and techniques. - An integrated healthcare approach covers the healthcare environment and the skills necessary to be a contributing member of an integrated healthcare team. - A research-based focus emphasizes research, clinical reasoning, and outcome-based massage application — for effective massage application in conjunction with healthcare intervention. - A complete general protocol provides a guide to treating disorders and maintaining wellness, with recommendations for positioning and interventions, using a step-by-step sequence that can easily be modified to meet a patient's specific needs. - A palliative protocol helps you temporarily relieve a patient's symptoms of disorders or diseases. - Case studies focus on outcome-based massage for individuals with multiple health issues, detailing assessment, medical intervention, justification for massage, and session documentation. - Coverage of advanced massage therapy skills and decision-making skills includes specific themes for effective massage application, allowing you to consolidate massage treatment based on the main outcomes — useful when working with individuals with multiple pathologies or treatment needs. - A discussion of aromatherapy provides safe recommendations for the use of essential oils in conjunction with massage, to promote healing of the body and mind. - Descriptions of illness and injury include relevant anatomy/physiology/pathophysiology, as well as strategies and massage applications to use for pain management, immune support, stress management, chronic illness, and post-surgical needs. - Coverage of insurance and reimbursement issues relates to you as a massage professional. - Strategies for general conditions such as substance abuse, mental health, orthopedic injury, and cardiovascular disorders help you specialize in clinical massage. - Expert authors provide knowledge in research, massage therapy in healthcare, and manual therapies. - Learning resources include chapter outlines, chapter learning objectives, key terms, and workbook-style exercises. - A companion Evolve website includes: - PubMed links to research supporting best practices and justification for massage application. - More information on topics such as insurance, pharmacology, and nutrition. - More information on anatomy and physiology and other subjects. - A comprehensive glossary with key terms and some audio pronunciations.

Kinesiology for Occupational Therapy, Third Edition covers the theoretical background for understanding the kinematics and kinetics of normal human physiological movement. Each specific joint is assessed in terms of musculoskeletal function, movements possible, and an overview of pathology that may develop. Dr. Melinda Rybski covers four occupational therapy theories related to functional motion that are important for occupational therapists to know. This Third Edition has been updated to reflect the current field and includes new information that has emerged in recent years. New in the Third Edition: Content closely follows AOTA’s Occupational Therapy Practice Framework and Occupational Therapy Vision 2025 Updated and more extensive provision of evidence that summarizes key findings in current literature New theories are presented in the Intervention sections Extensive, joint specific and theory-based assessments are provided Interventions described are occupation-based, process-based Kinesiology concepts presented in a practical, useable way Expanded chapters for Spine and Thorax and Hip and Pelvis. Included with the text are online supplemental materials for faculty use in the classroom. Kinesiology for Occupational Therapy, Third Edition clearly outlines the need for an understanding of kinesiology in occupational therapy, providing occupational therapists with the evidence necessary to support their intervention strategies.

Muscle Energy Techniques 4e sets out clear, practical and clinical guidelines for all students and practitioners wishing to use MET techniques as part of their patient management. Fully updated and now published in full colour throughout, this book has an accompanying website with video clips presenting the full array of modern METs in a variety of acute, chronic and rehabilitation settings. - Introduces new methodology and instructs in the scientific basis and correct application of existing METs - Explains the value of METs in the treatment of a variety of problems ranging from hypertonicity and muscle tightness to joint dysfunction and joint capsule adhesions - Provides precise assessment and diagnosis guidelines from a variety of perspectives including osteopathy, chiropractic, physical therapy, athletic training and massage therapy - Details the background to soft tissue dysfunction and explains the adaptive chain reactions that both produce and result from dysfunction - Gives many variations on the safe use of MET in acute, chronic and rehabilitation settings - Highly illustrated with full-colour line drawings and diagrams - Supplemented by a website which includes video clips of experienced practitioners demonstrating the techniques - Ideal for experienced practitioners as well as those taking undergraduate and postgraduate courses in manual therapy - Now published in full colour throughout - Presents the latest research findings underpinning the practice of MET methodology from differing areas of practice - Presents the increasingly refined ways of using the variety of MET methods to allow the reader to safely apply them in a variety of settings - Video clips on an associated website presents practical examples of the METs explored in the book - Contains a new chapter on the history of MET to provide useful insights from pioneers of the method - New chapters by orthopaedic surgeons discuss the relevance of MET in the rehabilitative setting - Contains a completely new chapter on the relevance of MET to massage therapy as well as expanded sections on its value in chiropractic, sports injury and physiotherapy - Contains an increased emphasis on pulsed MET and isotonic eccentric stretching