Books about Massage Therapy:
for Practitioners and Students

1. Orthopedic Massage: Theory and Technique (2003)
2. Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques (2002)
3. Medical Massage (1998)
4. Therapeutic Massage : A Scientific Approach (2000)
   On other pages
5. Travell & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual
6. Informed Touch: A Clinician's Guide to the Evaluation and Treatment of Myofascial Disorders
7. The Myofascial Release Manual
8. The Manual of Trigger Point and Myofascial Therapy
9. Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment
10. Spinal Manipulation Made Simple: A Manual of Soft Tissue Techniques
11. Introduction to Lymph Drainage Massage
12. The Complete Guide to Sports Massage

Orthopedic Massage: Theory and Technique
by Whitney W Lowe

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Book Description
A definitive reference on the use of massage therapy to treat pain and injury conditions. This unique reference provides a wealth of information on the use of massage therapy to treat pain and injury conditions.

About the Author
Whitney W Lowe, LMT, Director, Orthopedic Massage Education and Research Institute, Bend, OR.

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Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques
by Art Riggs

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Book Info
(North Atlantic Books) Textbook-style manual for massage therapists who have completed or are in the process of completing basic massage training. Includes many photographs and illustrations for reference, biomechanics for preventing injury, and directions for treatment and rehabilitation for common complaints. Quick-reference guide to techniques. DNLM: Massage--methods--Atlases.

Reader Review
GREAT BOOK!, August 13, 2002
Reviewer: Justine Jacobs from West Chester, PA
Great Book!!! It paid for itself several times over in the first week by clients commenting on the new ways I work and then re-booking and sending referrals. [...]

A Wonderful Tool for both Learning and Practice, August 5, 2002
Reviewer: Keith Eric Grant from Pleasanton, CA USA
I've had the pleasure of teaching deep tissue classes at the McKinnon Institute from a preprint version of this book for several years. I've found it to be a very well organized tool for students to learn from. The combination of pictures with short technique descriptions and of more details given on the text pages plays well for different learning styles. Even better, it's a book that can be used both for a quick technique refresh before working with a client or for a more in depth review of the motivations behind the work. In the short time since the book has been formally published, I've already used it multiple times as a reference for a column I write for Massage Today. It has been and continues to be the book I was looking for long before Art Riggs wrote it.

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Medical Massage
by Turchaninov Ross, C. A. Cox, R. Turchaninov

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Book Description
This unique book represents a completely new approach to massage therapy for the American audience. It demonstrates the Western view of medical massage and analyzes it’s place in modern medicine. The book reveals a detailed description of the different methods of medical massage treatment. This knowledge emerged in the beginning of the 20th century and has been accumulated within the medical communities of Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Poland, and other European countries. Specially created scientific research institutes in these countries have lead the most prominent physicians developing new methods, approaches and techniques for medical massage. The book is based on these latest discoveries and recommendations.

Each chapter of the book clearly explains the specifics of different types of medical massage and how each type may be applied in cases of pathology of the central and peripheral nervous systems and musculoskeletal system. To increase the practical value of the book as a guide to effective massage therapy, the authors have provided information on using the method of classical therapeutic massage for the treatment of the discussed pathologies. This book will help the practitioner to design and apply a course of medical massage for more than 60 common disorders of musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The book is richly illustrated with more than 400 diagrams and photos.

Table of Contents
WHAT IS MEDICAL MASSAGE?
Distinctive Characteristics - Contraindications - General Principles of Diagnostic Examination

METHODS OF MEDICAL MASSAGE
Connnective Tissue Massage - Segment-Reflex Massage - Periostal Massage - Method of Postisometric Muscular Relaxation - Manakov's System of Stretching Massage - Lymph Drainage Massage - Vibration Massage

MEDICAL MASSAGE FOR DISEASES AND TRAUMAS PERIPHERAL AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS

CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
Cervicocranialgia - Anterior scalene muscle syndrome - Trapezius muscle syndrome - Levator scapulae muscle syndrome - Cervical radiculopathy

THORACIC SPONDYLOSIS
Thoracalgia - False cardialgia syndrome

LUMBO-SACRAL SPONDYLOSIS
Lumbar radiculopathy. Lumbago - Lumbalgia - Iliopsoas muscle syndrome - Piriformis muscle syndrome

PATHOLOGY OF CRANIAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVES
Facial nerve neuralgia. Bell's palsy - Trigeminal nerve neuralgia - Musculocutaneous nerve neuralgia - Ulnar nerve neuralgia - Radial nerve neuralgia - Median nerve neuralgia. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Pronator - teres muscle syndrome - Femoral nerve neuralgia - Obturator nerve neuralgia - Sciatic nerve neuralgia - Common peroneal nerve neuralgia - Tibial nerve neuralgia. Tarsal tunnel syndrome

PATHOLOGY OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Stroke - Cerebral palsy syndrome

MEDICAL MASSAGE IN CASES OF TRAUMAS AND DISEASES OF THE MUSCULAR AND SKELETAL SYSTEMS

TRAUMAS
Contusions - Ligamental sprain - Rotator cuff syndrome - Deltoid muscle syndrome - Rhomboideus major and minor muscles syndrome - Extensor digitorum muscle syndrome - Tensor fascia lata muscle syndrome - Tendinitis - Achillodynia - Epicondylitis. Tennis elbow. Golfer's elbow - Menisci injuries - Sprained ankle joint - Luxations - Fractures

DISEASES
Osteoarthritis - TMJ - Rheumatoid arthritis - Scoliosis - Dupuytren's contracture - Trochanteritis - Osgood-Schlatter disease - Flatfoot - Calcaneal spur syndrome - Hallus valgus - Fibromyalgia

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Therapeutic Massage : A Scientific Approach
by R. Turchaninov

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Book Description
What is massage? Art, spiritual healing or part of modern medicine with a scientific approach to its therapeutic possibilities? The author offers the reader an opportunity to study and practice massage as a part of modern science. Inside, the reader will find comprehensive theoretical and practical information on this matter.

The theoretical background of this publication is formed by the review of 350 of the most important and influential articles, books and other publications from all around the Western world dating from the middle of the 19th century to the present time. The analysis of this extensive information also includes the modern theories of the physiological and therapeutic impacts of massage on the human body. Readers will find information on how modern science sees and explains the way mechanical stimuli evoke intimate processes on the cellular and tissue levels and how the therapeutic impact of massage therapy is formed.

Another positive side of this book is its representation of the modern view on the physiology of the pain, the “gate control” theory of pain and rules of using a pain analyzing system for the patient’s benefit. If it is necessary to activate pain receptors during the treatment, measures to control pain are discussed as well.

In the special chapter: “Hand as therapeutic tool” the author presents extremely valuable information for everyone who practices massage therapy. Readers will find a lot of practical tips on how to effectively use their hands to be able to work longer and more productively, how to prevent injuries during massage treatment, and measures to increase their hands’ endurance and decrease their exhaustion.

Finally the author summarizes and represents in detail more than 60 variations of 7 basic therapeutic techniques (effleurage, friction, kneading, vibration, percussion, compression, and stretching) which are employed by Western massage schools. Some of these techniques are used in Swedish massage, but some are quite unique. They were created during decades of experimental and clinical studies by scientists who shaped the Russian massage school.

The book is richly illustrated with 126 diagrams and photos.

Reader Review
Highly Recommended book on massage therapy, April 26, 2000
Reviewer: sabs77 from Los Angeles, CA
Excellent choice for the student (or practitioner)of massage therapy. Great as a reference guide to follow up on lessons formally learned in school. Very well organized and carefully explained techniques. Good use of illustrations. Very helpful bibliography for further study on every topic covered. .

Table of Contents

THE METHODS OF WESTERN MASSAGE THERAPY
Preventive Massage Therapy - Medical Massage - Sports Massage

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF MASSAGE ON THE SYSTEMS AND ORGANS OF THE HUMAN BODY

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Central Nervous System - Peripheral Nervous System

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Cardiac and Cerebral Circulation - Peripheral Arterio-Venous Circulation - Effect of Massage on Blood Parameters

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Experimental Studies - Clinical Studies - Vodder's Lymph Drainage Massage

MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Experimental and Clinical Studies - Massage and Athlete's Recovery

SKELETAL SYSTEM

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Experimental Studies - Clinical Studies

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

URINARY SYSTEM

GENITAL SYSTEM
Female Genital System - Male Genital System

MASSAGE DURING PREGNANCY

MASSAGE IN PEDIATRY

MASSAGE IN DERMATOLOGICAL PRACTICE

OTHER EFFECTS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

PRESSURE AND MECHANISMS OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF MASSAGE THERAPY

MECHANISMS OF THERAPEUTIC IMPACT OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Indirect, Reflex Mechanism - Direct, Local Mechanism

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PRESSURE

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PAIN. THE PAIN-ANALYZING SYSTEM AND ITS CORRECT ACTIVATION BY MASSAGE THERAPY

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PAIN

"GATE-CONTROL" THEORY OF PAIN

PAIN AND MASSAGE THERAPY
Inhibitory Regime of Massage Therapy - Gradual Increasing of Applied Pressure - Permanent Vibration - Activation of Central Control Trigger

OUTCOMES OF INAPPROPRIATE APPLICATION OF PRESSURE DURING THE MASSAGE TREATMENT
Withdrawal Reflex - Fast Pain System - Indirect Activation of Muscle Spindle Receptors

GENERAL RULES OF CORRECT APPLICATION OF STRONG PRESSURE

THE HAND AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL. THE CONTACT AREAS FOR MASSAGE TREATMENT

ANATOMO-BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HUMAN HAND FROM THE MASSAGE THERAPY POINT OF VIEW
Skeleton of the Hand - Ligamental Support - Muscles of the Forearm and Hand - Skin

PROFESSIONAL INJURIES AND DISEASES OF THE HAND

GENERAL MEASURES FOR INJURY PREVENTION

CONTACT AREAS OF THE HAND

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

EFFLEURAGE
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Effleurage - flat superficial - flat strong - grasping permanent - grasping permanent with unequally distributed pressure - ridging - raking - with locked hands - pinching

FRICTION
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Friction - sawing - aligned - stretching - planning - Sarkisov-Sirasini's - crossing

Cyriax's
ridging - friction-kneading - superficial

KNEADING
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Kneading - longitudinal permanent - transverse permanent - longitudinal and transverse interruptive - simple - digital - scrolling - double circular - mobile - pinching - wave - rolling - stretching - tissue displacement

VIBRATION
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Vibration - direct - supportive techniques of vibration: shaking, rocking, pushing, pinching

PERCUSSION
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Percussion - techniques of simple percussion: tapping, slapping, hacking, beating - cupping - whipping

COMPRESSION
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Compression - regional - pumping - ischemic compression

PASSIVE STRETCHING
General Characteristics - Technical Distinctions - Types of Passive Stretching - segmental - local

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