NEW PRODUCT REVIEWS MASSAGE BOOKS + CD ROM REVIEWS BY

JOAN M. WATT MA, GRAD D P.MCSP, MSMA

Primal Pictures Interactive DVD of Anatomy Trains by Thomas W. Myers. Primal Pictures Ltd. ISBN 1-904369-44-8 Cost £ 146.88 To order visit www.primalpictures.com

Overview and purpose: This DVD brings the Anatomy Trains con- cept to life. A wonderfully high resolution interactive 3D model gives the human musculature complete with the anatomy trains lines, tracks and stations to provide a unique map of myofascial anatomy. You cannot help but learn from this and use it to explain to clients what is going on. Key features: Anatomy Trains contains all content from Interactive Functional Anatomy including 46 interactive muscle function animations. These show muscle function during common movements, gross motor function and anatomy, plus functional anatomy text. Audience: This DVD is an excellent

learning tool for all manual

practitioners who use myofascial techniques, regardless of which of the many names is used to describe their practice. Rolfers, soft tis- sue therapists, massage practitioners, in fact all those involved in any manual therapy can benefit from this product. Overall opinion: Having managed to embrace 21st century tech- nology I am delighted to be able to use and benefit from this product. It is to me a ‘must have’ for practitioner education and wonderful for client instruction.

NEW PRODUCTS WINCE BAR: This is a fantastic portable space saving weight set which the sportEX gang have also trialled. It comes packed in a neat little carrying case and is extremely easy to change weights. Each dumbell consists of a hollow tube with a unscre- wable end into which can be inserted weight pellets or ‘blanks’ in the form of low weight rubber pellets which prevent the weight pellets from sliding around inside the tube. Physiosupplies are the first UK company to bring you the amazing Wince Bar which is excellent for people who travel, personal fitness trainers and therapist who likes to be able to use free weights for training or late stage rehabilitation.

HANDTRIM: The Handytrim is the latest piece of exercise equipment which has been designed to strengthen the mus- cles in the hands, wrist, arms and shoulders. Pocket Fitness in an innovative design - ideal for athletes to warm up muscles. It also helps prevent incorrect upper body posture.

For more information visit www.ukmedicalsupplies.co.uk 22

Palpation and Assessment Skills: by Leon Chaitow. Paperback with CD ROM. Churchill Livingstone ISBN 0443072183 Cost £40.99 To order visit www.amazon.co.uk

Target audience: This book and CD are aimed at all manual therapists and practi- tioners from massage practitioners, phys- iotherapists, chiropractors to osteopaths. It aims to extend the range of skills they can bring to their practice by bringing together suggested approaches from a variety of disciplines. One of

the

reviewers of the first edition called it an excellent resource for all body- workers wishing to develop their palpatory skills. Overview and purpose: The book is made up of twelve chapters, each chapter being preceeded by a special topic. These special topics are highlighted in blue and easy to access for reference and quick revision. There are good references listed at end of each special topic and chapter. The back cover in its ìAbout the bookî states- ìPalpation and Assessment Skills has been designed to help the reader to understand and acquire the palpatory skills which are the foundation of all effective manual therapy assess- ments and treatments. Key features: There are nine key features of this book. It covers palpation and assessment of all tissues and systems, gives prac- tical guidance and instruction on a variety of palpation tech- niques. Thirdly each technique is supported by practical exercis- es and self assessment questions. As well as directing the correct method of carrying out techniques, provides additional skills and outcome expectations against which progress can be measured. There is colour printing throughout the text and details of move- ments are shown in diagrams. Finally the last two features are given in the CD ROM. This supports and supplements the text and using video film to demonstrate techniques. Book style: Well written, nicely laid out book. The author rec- ommends in the preface that it should be read chapter by chap- ter, exercise by exercise (more then once) with findings recorded and skills refined. So it is an ongoing tool to improve practice as well as providing initial education. Overall opinion: Leon Chaitow is an extremely well known and highly respected practitioner and teacher. Both the new and long established practitioner can learn from his writing. The CD ROM does give added value and helps to lead to the correct applica- tion of techniques. Final word: This is a fascinating book written by a very knowl- edgeable author. At a cost of £40.99 it is more likely to be found in reference libraries than in practitioners’ book cases.

www.sportex.net