Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists: A Functional Approach to Self-Care and Injury Prevention [Paperback]

Barbara Frye (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0970052103 | ISBN-13: 978-0970052100 | Publication Date: May 2000

Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists assists manual therapists of all kinds, especially massage therapists, to avoid repetitive-use injuries and develop sound and effective body mechanics. An easy-to-read text that emphasizes body awareness and provides function-specific body mechanics skills that can be integrated into all types of manual therapy. Allows manual therapists to become pro-active in fostering self-care and preventing occupational injury and burnout.

Key Features:
*Clearly stated and detailed information about the use of the body in all styles of manual therapy activities, including standing, sitting, bending, lifting, pushing and pulling and applying pressure:
*48 partner and self-discovery lessons that lead step-by-step through the proper movement of sound body mechanics for all manual therapy techniques;
*480 illustrations that show detailed, clear examples of each concept and of the elements of each lesson;
*Each chapter is dedicated to fostering self-care and teaching new and innovative ways to prevent pain in all parts of the body, including the neck, hands, wrists and knees…and more!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Protect your bodywork career and ensure an active old age with this wise book." -- Custom Craftworks, Inc.

"...will be helpful to all types of touch therapists, but should be required reading for every massage student." -- Massage Therapy Journal, Summer 2001

"Finally! A book that gives bodyworkers the tools necessary for insuring a long and healthy practice." -- Andrew Biel, LMP, Author of Trail Guide to the Body

"If you're in the business of touching people..., you've got to get this book." -- Massage Magazine, January/February 2002

"This textbook for manual therapy students and practitioners will erase repetitive strain injuries from the profession." -- Diana L. Thompson, LMP, Author of Hands Heal

"…will be helpful to all types of touch therapists, but it should be required reading for every massage student." -- Massage Therapy Journal, Summer 2001

From the Publisher

Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists, 2nd edition, is an innovative and provocative text assisting manual therapists to become actively involved in developing a self-care strategy. By integrating cognitive, kinesthetic and environmental learning elements, this text is an exceptional in-class, hands-on study guide for all students of bodywork and reference for practicing manual therapists.

New to this Edition:

Expanded Basics information including table and chair consumer tips, breathing and hydration.

Enhanced Tools of the trade chapter includes use of the foot and lower leg for implementing massage.

Sidebars relating chapter material throughout the text:
Partner practice - hands-on exercises
Self-observation - self-exploration exercises
Practice tips - self-care and injury prevention tips
Client education tips - creative ways to impart chapter material to clients
Something to think about - provocative questions for thought and journaling

Consider this - quotes and facts that add insight, including the knowledge and expertise of Dr. Joseph Muscolino, DC, author of The Muscular System Manual

Information on successful body mechanics for spa therapy, transferring clients and floor work.

Section on common repetitive stress injuries, including symptom troubleshooting and pro-active strategies for injury prevention. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Fryetäg Pub (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970052103
• ISBN-13: 978-0970052100
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,564,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Save your body and help your clients, December 12, 2002

By 

Coleen Renee (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists: A Functional Approach to Self-Care and Injury Prevention (Paperback)

Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists by Barbara Frye is a must for all massage therapists, physical therapists and others doing manual bodywork. I would even recommend it for those doing less physical work, like Reiki and Polarity practitioners. The book is well written, practical and easy to use.

In her book, Ms. Frye covers movements that all practitioners do repetitively. Through diagrams, exercises and awareness checks, she effectively guides you to discovering ways to do your work with less physical exertion. This means less tension in your body and more clients on your table.

Ms. Frye's work can help you significantly increase the number of clients you see in a week by helping create ease of movement that increases stamina.

I have used this book in 3 ways:

(1) I have improved my body mechanics in my work and other areas of my life.

(2) I have used it as a teaching tool in classes I teach for both beginners and for advanced massage training.

(3) I have used many of the awareness techniques with my clients.

My clients have benefitted greatly from this work. By sharing the awareness techniques and movement pieces with them, they are better able to retain the benefits of bodywork sessions.

Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists is a reference book you will refer to throughout your career. It's practical immediately as well as in long term care of yourself and your clients. I love it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time, June 9, 2004

By 

Dr. Elias Thomas (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists: A Functional Approach to Self-Care, Second Edition (Paperback)

For years I've heard from so many therapists with occupational pain. Back, neck, arm, hand, and others. And now there is finally a book that can really help. Yes, there are other books which address hand pain, but this book covers the whole picture. Not only are the hands and arms addressed, but how to use the feet, knees and lower legs for massage is included as well. It's about time! The text goes into great detail on how to make functional movements, such as bending, lifting and applying pressure, effortlessly and skillfully. These are the important movements for therapists to learn to prevent muscular pain, injury - and burnout. It's about time! I highly recommend this book to all practicing therapists, and to every student of massage and bodywork.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Save Your Body Now!, September 15, 2004

By 

alice - See all my reviews

This review is from: Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists: A Functional Approach to Self-Care, Second Edition (Paperback)

If you are a therapist, of any kind, you must buy this book. I use mine almost everyday to help keep myself injury free - and so far, so good. I also use the "client education tips" regularly to education my clients. The book also has helpful "practice tips" which help me to remember good body mechanics when at the table. I love this book - so will you!