BOOKS REVIEWED Title – Soft Tissue Release Author – Jane Johnson Publisher – Human Kinetics ISBN – 978-0-7360-7712-5 Cost – £14.99 Reviewer Joan M. Watt Target audience – The preface states that the book is for “all therapists wishing to add to their existing skills” and it suggests that “because the techniques may also be performed through clothing” it may be beneficial to fitness instructors, sport coaches, sport therapists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and other body workers. Overview – The book is intended to explain the differences between the three types of soft tissue release and it gives very clear instructions on their application to various parts of the body. It is well illustrated and also describes very clearly the advantages

Title – Massage for Therapists (third edn) Author – Margaret Hollis Publisher – Wiley-Blackwell ISBN – 978-1-4051-5916-6 Cost – £28.99 Reviewer Bob Bramah Target audience – This book is intended for students and qualified physiotherapists, sports therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurses, complementary and beauty therapists. All massage practitioners could probably be included too. Overview – This third edition of Margaret Hollis’s book is an update that was greatly needed. It is very thorough and still retains the useful hands-on approach seen in the previous editions. Massage is acknowledged as a basic skill within the physiotherapy profession one that requires high standards of practical application. All the contributors

Title – Orthopedic Massage: Theory and Technique (second edn) Author – Whitney W. Lowe Publisher – Mosby Elsevier ISBN – 978-0 443-06812-6 Cost – £29.99 Reviewer Joan M. Watt Target audience – This book states that it aims to provide an authoritative style – The book is divided into two sections. The first covers general

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and disadvantages of each technique. The purpose as stated is to teach the reader how to perform the techniques, how to apply them to various parts of the body, and how to incorporate them into the reader’s own treatment programme. Key features – The book is divided into four parts. Part 1 is entitled “Getting started with Soft Tissue Release.” Part 2 covers soft tissue release techniques. Part 3 looks at applying soft tissue release and Part 4 addresses soft tissue release programmes. Style – This book is part of the Hands-On Guides for Therapists series produced by Human Kinetics. As such it is more than a conventional text book and delivers the promise to be a step-by-step guide that allows the reader to be able to use the described techniques with their clients. There are plenty of very good

to this book are well versed in their particular fields of massage. Key features – There are three sections to this book. The first covers the basis for massage, namely an introduction to massage, the relevant anatomy and physiology, its evidence- based effects, risk awareness and contraindications. The second section addresses the application of massage, and includes examination and assessment, preparation for massage, massage manipulations, massage to the upper and lower limbs, the back, the gluteal region, the neck, the face and scalp and the abdomen. It also describes the uses of classical massage in some health care settings. The third section contains some specialised techniques, such as some types of massage and soft tissue therapies, massage in sport, aromatherapy and shiatsu, and

principles and the second offers a regional approach to pathology and treatment. The additions to this latest edition include over 250 illustrations, all of which are well described. There are also case studies that demonstrate techniques and management in clinical practice, together with some useful hints. Greater guidance in clinical protocols with treatment approaches and rehabilitation considerations and reference is given to current research in soft tissue problems.

illustrations and photos showing stance, the position of the client and therapist and the exact technique being described. Client “talk boxes” give specific examples of using specific techniques for particular problems. The questions posed are very helpful for ensuring that the reader has grasped the content. Overall opinion – This was a very easy book to read and it was simple to understand the techniques. It would certainly be an asset to any therapists who are learning the techniques for the first time or who want to enhance their techniques and ensure they are being utilised efficiently. For this price, I would recommend the book as an excellent buy for individual practitioners as well as an addition to any library. To order http://bit.ly/JaneJohnson

myofascial release. Style – This is a well-presented text with very good photographs to support the content and massage applications. The practical, meaningful text is easy to absorb and refer to as needed. Overall opinion – This is a readable, useful book covering the basis of massage and giving insight into some of its specialist areas. Established practitioners will find it good to refresh their knowledge with, while students and new practitioners will find it a very good starting point and it may also guide them in choosing which specialism they want to learn in greater depth. The cost of £28.99 is not too high and this book will make a good addition to any personal collection or library. To order http://bit.ly/MargaretHollis

Overall opinion – A well laid out book written by someone very involved in the subject and well documented and illustrated. The differences in terminology between the USA and Europe takes a bit of getting used to but it does not detract from the good content or useful information provided. To order http://bit.ly/OrthopedicMassage

sportEX dynamics 2010;23(Jan):19-20