A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology

From The Critics

Reviewer: Martha J. Greenberg, PhD, RN(Pace University)
Description: This concise text presents content of most of the major conditions and illnesses affecting the major body systems. Each of the major chapters is organized similarly and includes chapter objectives, a review of the body system, a list of condition(s) discussed in the chapter, synopsis of the problem highlighted in a box, case studies, compare/contrast boxes, colorful artwork and pictures, indications and contraindication for massage, and review questions. Several excellent appendices cover history taking, hygiene, and medications.
Purpose: The author informs massage practitioners about pathology since they see many clients who are often using massage as part of an integrated health care treatment plan. A thorough education in anatomy and pathology will assist therapists in doing no harm and ensuring the safety of the public.
Audience: This book was written for massage students and practicing therapists and is well suited for both audiences. The authors represent many massage therapy teachers and practitioners in the United States and Canada.
Features: This text is especially student friendly in language and format. The color art and photography is excellent as well as entries called "in brief boxes" that highlight the most important features of the problem. Web resources and a companion CD featuring test questions, Q & A's, an audio glossary make this a derivative book. One issue is the datedness of many references in the chapters.
Assessment: Any pathology book must be updated frequently as science advances and this is no exception. This is an excellent book to begin one's journey of understanding of pathology in massage therapy.

Rebekah Kalen Dubrosky

This is an excellent pathology textbook for the massage therapy student. It is a wonderful reference for massage therapists working in a traditional healthcare setting. This text presents fundamental information about common pathologies and the appropriateness of massage for each condition. It fills a badly needed hole in the education of massage therapists. The quick reference chart in Appendix 5 is an excellent resource for the practicing therapist. This textbook is meant for students studying massage therapy as well as those therapists already in practice. It contains a system-by-system review of common physiological disorders. It describes the action a massage therapist should take with each disorder. The summary boxes and Appendix 5 are excellent tools for the therapist in practice who is trying to determine a pathology or action to take for a particular pathology. I have not seen another book of this caliber geared for massage therapists. It is well organized and includes an excellent glossary and index. The objectives and the review questions make it a nice study tool.

From The Critics

Following the order of most anatomy or physiology textbooks, this volume presents overviews of body systems and entries on pathologies with information relevant to the work of the practicing massage therapist. Each entry discusses, where applicable, the demographics of the disorder, its etiology and progression, signs and symptoms, and the applicability of massage. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Booknews

This book is for students and practitioners of bodywork who need to make decisions quickly and accurately about whether or not massage is appropriate for their clients. Provides a database of information on a variety of diseases and conditions, and discusses how massage may or may not fit into the healing process. Covers the basic physiology of body systems in health, then describes how these processes are interrupted when disease occurs. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

5 Stars! from Doody