Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment (Lww Massage Therapy & Bodywork Series)

"I work as a Sports Therapist. For anyone studying massage or physio related subjects this book is a good entry level text to learning anatomy and physiology. It is not a technical text, so is unsuitable for anyone wanting more detailed A & P knowledge. It does not use the traditional origin & insertion terminology for muscles' location, preferring proximal & distal and medial & lateral. There are pronounciations for the muscles (with a USA accent), assuming people struggle with the latin names.

The big advantage of this book over other massage texts is the muscles are shown in situ on the body - this 'see through' effect helps in remembering muscle locations, as you can visualise where it lies in the body. A couple of glaring omissions though are no details of nerve innervations for muscles and no diagrams of lymph node locations - knowledge of these is essential for practising therapists.

The main use of this book for me is to refresh A & P knowledge, not massage, as I prefer Holey & Cook and the Cash texts for that. Although there are massage techniques, it does not detail effleurage, petrissage and tapotement per se. Some of the towelling techniques shown would not be appropriate in clinical situations here in the UK. I always work on just exposing the area I'm treating, whereas some of the models in the book are nearly naked! The book is well organised, however the addition of a coloured edge to the pages so you can quickly locate muscle groups would make it even better e.g. a different coloured edge to identify the rotator cuff muscles, or posterior thigh for instance. "
~ Written on 2007-06-21

"An excellent find. Im studying remedial/therapeutic massage and this book has helped me with my studies without a doubt. Easy to understand and the diagrams/pictures in tandem with the literature makes for enjoyable reading. :0)"
~ Written on 2005-11-09

"All through my massage courses I have found getting the anatomy into my head very difficult but this book has been a geat help: clear drawings superimposed on photographs give a much clearer and more coherent picture of how all the muscles fit together than most anatomy books.

Also clear directions for working on muscles, referral areas and muscle groups.

Lies flat so you can look at it while practising without it flapping shut and getting oily!

The most helpful book I have come across and well worth buying."
~ Written on 2005-02-14

"Recently started an ITEC Holistic Massage course and going on to do a BTEC sports massage. Feel that Anat & Phys is my weak point so I bought this book. It's brilliant and is giving me total confidence of gaining a '3D' understanding and knowledge of Anatomy. It's well thought out, clearly written and the pictures are amazing. Nearest thing you'll get to owning a pair of 3D specs I would imagine!

This book was written for those already with a grounding in massage ie not total beginners. However it starts from the basics and explains them well - and if you're intending on going on to clinical, or 'sports' massage then it's a book that you can 'grow' into.

Overall this book is completely accessible and helpful for both students and professionals. It seems a perfect resource for learning anatomy/new massage techniques/anatomical reference/treatment approach etc. I could go on and on. Fantastic."
~ Written on 2004-10-23

"This is an incredible book. I bought it about 6 months ago when starting a sports and remedial massage course. It has since been added to the essential reading material for the course. The best feature of the book in my opinion is the drawing of muscles onto a person when someone is massaging them, showing the direction to massage the fibres. Also has information on the origins, intertions and actions all geared towards the massage therapist. I certainly am glad I bought it!"
~ Written on 2003-08-29