Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists: A Functional Approach to Self-Care, Second Edition [Paperback]

Barbara Frye (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0970052111 | ISBN-13: 978-0970052117 | Publication Date: April 2004 | Edition: 2nd

This best-selling text teaches massage therapy students and practitioners the essentials of body mechanics they need to know in order to care for themselves while practicing massage therapy. The text is written in a practical, playful, and friendly manner and integrates kinesthetic, cognitive, and environmental elements.

Each chapter starts with a brief narrative explanation of a movement, followed by hands-on exercises, self-observation exercises, self-care and injury prevention tips, and client education tips. Appendices discuss successful body mechanics for spa therapy, transferring clients, and floor work, and present troubleshooting and preventive strategies for common repetitive stress injuries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...The text's content is extremely useful for the novice as well as seasoned practitioner." -- Clint Chandler, 2002 Jerome Perlinski National Teacher of the Year

"This book seeps into your unconscious - I find myself correcting old, bad habits mid-massage. A truly experiential book." -- Diana L. Thompson, LMP, author of Hands Heal: Communication, Documentation, and Insurance Billing for Manual Therapists

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: Lippencott, Williams and Wilkins; 2nd edition (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970052111
• ISBN-13: 978-0970052117
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,136,246 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!