MANUAL AND MASSAGE THERAPY

CONTINUITY OF THE FASCIAL SYSTEM

It does not stop here! The fascial system is like a spider’s web, it pervades every part of the body. All the great systems of the body - the circulato- ry system, the visceral system, the muscu- loskeletal system, the glandular system, the craniosacral system - are ‘everywhere covered with the material that is but part of a continuous connective tissue fabric’ (5). It should be evident that restrictions within the fascial system can have impli- cations for all the above systems using the concept of give and restriction.

THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF MANUAL AND MASSAGE THERAPY Socrates believed that the validity of an idea or action is determined not by whether it is widely believed or widely reviled but by whether it obeys the rule of logic. Is it logical then, given the number of different and integrative systems that go to make up us humans, that we should focus almost exclusively on the muscu- loskeletal system in the search for the ‘culprit tissue’? I believe that we, as a pro- fession, have been somewhat constrained

and shackled by a conventional view of orthodox medicine, if the manual therapist is to become a truly ‘evolving species’, then we need not embark on a voyage of discovery but simply see with new eyes.

THE AUTHOR

Stuart Robertson teaches both nationally and internationally on the fascial system, as well as having a clinical practice in Somerset. He has broad clinical experience having worked with both international sportsmen and people with chronic pain. For further information see www.dmbem.com. Stuart is running two courses for sportEX

FURTHER READING

Barral JP. Visceral Manipulation II. Eastland Press 1989. ISBN 0939616092 Barral JP. The Thorax. Eastland Press 1991. ISBN 0939616122 Barral JP. Urogenital Manipulation. Eastland Press 1993. ISBN 0939616181 Barral JP and Croibier A. Trauma, an osteopathic approach. Eastland Press 2001. ISBN 0939616327 Barral JP & Mercier. Visceral Manipulation. Eastland Press 1983. ISBN 0939616068

sportEX patient handouts Physical Activity and Medical Conditions Advice

Handouts EACH LEAFLET INCLUDES: ■ Exercise advice written for people with particular medical conditions ■ A user friendly chart giving guidance on exercise intensity, frequency and duration of activity

■ Warm up and warm down information ■ Safety information specific to each medical condition

Rehabilitation Advice

Handouts EACH LEAFLET INCLUDES: ■ An explanation of the injury ■ A diagram showing the site of the injury ■ A series of illustrated exercises for the patient ■ Information about their treatment and emphasis on the importance of good rehabilitation

■ An area for your practice/contact details ■ PRICE advice

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS SET 1 Physical activity and: ■ High blood pressure ■ Weight loss ■ Asthma ■ Diabetes (type 2) ■ Heart attack ■ Cancer diagnosis ■ Mental health ■ Chronic pain

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS SET 2 Physical activity and: ■ Pre-pregnancy ■ Post-pregnancy ■ Angina ■ Stroke ■ Physical activity and CHD ■ Osteoporosis ■ Diet and cholesterol ■ Prevention of falls

REHABILITATION SET 1 (LOWER LIMB) Advice and exercises for: ■ Achilles tendonosis ■ ACL rehabilitation ■ Ankle sprains ■ Early hamstring strains ■ Groin strains ■ Osteoarthritis of the knee ■ Patellofemoral pain syndrome ■ Sinus tarsi syndrome

REHABILITATION SET 2 (UPPER BODY) Advice and exercises for: ■ Tennis elbow ■ Shoulder impingement ■ Carpal tunnel syndrome ■ Stretching the lower body ■ Stretching the upper body ■ Rheumatoid arthritis ■ Low back pain ■ Sporting back

PACK SIZES AND PRICES: ■ Starter pack = 25 x 8 leaflets (200 in total) = £25.50 for subscribers or £34 for non-subscribers ■ Mega pack = 100 x 8 leaflets (800 in total) = £82.50 for subscribers or £110 for non-subscribers ■ Individual pack = 100 leaflets on a single condition/injury = £13.50 for subscribers or £18 for non-subscribers

TEL: 020 8287 3312 or visit

www.sportex.net TO ORDER

SPECIAL OFFER 15% off all leaflet orders placed before 31ST OCTOBER ‘05

AUTUMN

on myofascial release. For more informa- tion telephone 020 8287 3312,

References 1. Williams P, Warwick R, Dyson M, Bannister L. Grays Anatomy. Churchill Livingstone 1989 2. Briggs CA, Chandraraj. Variations in the lum- bosacral ligament and associated changes in compression of the fifth dorsal root ganglion andspinal nerve. Clinical Anatomy 1995;8:339-346 3. Ness T, Gebhart G. Visceral pain: A review of experimental studies. Pain 1990;431:167-234 4. Korr I. Proproceptors and somatic dysfunc- tion. Journal of American Osteopath Association 1975;74:638-650 5. Oschman J. Energy Medicine - the scientific basis.

Churchill Livingstone 2000. ISBN:0443062627