The Science & Practic of Manual Therapy

The Science and Practice of Manual Therapy, previously entitled The Fundamentals of Manual Therapy, is an extensive examination of how manual therapy (MT) techniques work, and how to match the most suitable techniques to different conditions. Drawing on evidence-based research, it explores the physiological, neurological and psychophysiological responses of the human body to MT techniques.

A highly practical book, which provides useful clinical strategies for the treatment of common conditions seen in manual therapy practice. This new edition has been completely rewritten, extensively updated and expanded, with addition of new research material, novel clinical approaches and demonstration of new techniques and assessments.

The text aims to assist practitioner and students of manual therapy develop a deeper understanding of their patient's processes and how they may be affected by different MT techniques. It aims to help MT practitioners deliver a more effective and safer treatment and to be able to treat a broader range of conditions

Features

• Relevant to all manual therapist
• Provides MTs with the theoretic ammunition they need to be able to demonstrate why their techniques work
• Will help practitioners to an improved understanding of whatthey are doing when they carry out MT techniques and so will allow them to provide more effective and SAFER treatment.
• Will help students and practitioners in the MT field to understand WHY and HOW their techniques work
• Helps to present manual therapy as a research based technique.
• Draws together in one place material which has been difficult to locate
• Demonstrates the clinical relevance of the physiological research presented and presents it in a way which is accessible to clinicians and students.
• Highly illustrated to clarify and support the text.

What's New

• Extensive update and expansion of first edition with addition of new research material and the references from the last 5 years.
• Section 1 expanded to include more on the responses of muscle to mechanical stimuli as carried out in MT techniques.
• Section 2 rewritten and restructured to make it easier to understand and updated in the light of recent research.
• Expanded material on pain
• All references thoroughly updated
• General updating of all text and some new illustrations.
  

Contents

1. Introduction SECTION 1 The effect of manipulation on the tissue organization

2. Manual therapy in the tissue dimension

3. Assisting repair with manual therapy

4. Affecting fluid flow with manual therapy

5. Assisting adaptation: manual stretching

6. Pain relief by manual therapy: the local tissue dimension

7. Overview and summary of Section 1 References

SECTION 2 Neurological organization in manual therapy

8. Manual therapy in the neurological dimension

9. The motor system

10. Proprioceptive stimulation by manual therapy techniques

11. Affecting the lower motor system with manual therapy

12. The adaptive code for neuromuscular re-abilitation

13. Abilities, inability and re-abilitation

14. Treating the intact motor system: behavioural and psychomotor dysfunctions

15. Neuromuscular organisation in musculoskeletal damage

16. Re-abilitating the damaged motor system

17. Pain relief by manual therapy – neurological mechanisms

18. Muscle tone

19. Overview and summary of Section 2 References

SECTION 3 Psychological and psychophysiological processes in manual therapy

20. Manual therapy in the psychological/psychophysiological dimension

21. Origins of therapeutic potential of touch

22. Psychological influences of manual therapy

23. Psychophysiology of manual therapy

24. Manual therapy in the psychosomatic field

25. Touch as a therapeutic intervention

26. Pain relief by manual therapy: psychological processes

27. Overview and summary of Section 3 References

SECTION 4 Overview and clinical application

28. Overview and clinical application of the science