Review
Dr. Premkumar's book serves as an easy and quick reference guide to more than 350 pathological conditions,ranging from acne and atelectasis (collapsed lung) to vitiligo (white irregular patches on the skin) and whiplash. Although not a medical text, such a guidebook has obvious benefits. If a practitioner receives a referral letter from a doctor indicating the client/patient suffers from a disease, it will be simple to get enough information to understand the basic problems associated with the condition and any specific implications related to massage therapy. The book is laid out in a clear and consistent format. Each standardized entry includes a terse description of the disorder, as well as the cause, signs, symptoms, risk factors, and caution and recommendations for massage therapists. Black-and-white drawings accompany many of the entries. An appendix of color plates illustrates what would be hard to discern in a drawing, such as gangrene or purpura... Additional appendices are equally helpful: strategies for infection prevention and safe practice; commonly used drugs and therapies and their adverse effects; North American associations and organizations for specific disorders; key references; glossary of medical terms; and two indices, one by disease and the other by body system. --
Massage Therapy Journal, Fall 1997, Vol. 36, No. 3Dr. Premkumar's book serves as an easy and quick reference guide to more than 350 pathological conditions...Although not a medical text...guidebook has obvious benefits. If a practitioner receives a referral letter from a doctor indicating the client/patient suffers from a disease, it will be simple to get enough information to understand basic problems associated with the condition and any specific implications ... The book is laid out in a clear and consistent format. Each standardized entry includes a terse description of the disorder, as well as the cause, signs, symptoms, risk factors, and caution and recommendations for massage therapists. Black and white drawings accompany many of the entries. Additional appendices are equally helpful: strategies for infection prevention and safe practice; commonly used drugs and therapies and their adverse effects...associations and organizations for specific disorders; key references; glossary of medical terms; and two indices, by disease and by body system. --
Massage Therapy Journal, Fall 1997, Vol. 36, No. 3This book is a good companion to The Massage Connection: Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology already reviewed. The author approaches the subject of pathology in a similar manner and focuses on what she calls simple but important details relevant to the practice of massage therapy. Diseases are discussed and listed in alphabetical order. Indication is also given as to which body system a particular disorder relates to...there is some useful information on common drugs and their side effects whilst the resource directory for specific disorders applies...this book can serve as a good basic pathology book or, as the author herself describes it in her preface, 'as a ready reckoner for Massage Therapists and other Holistic Health Practitioners.' It is certainly a very useful book to dip into when reviewing pathological conditions and therefore can be very handy to have in the treatment room. --
Positive Health Magazine, October '99. Issue No.45
About the Author
Dr. Premkumar is a Physician and a Medical Educator with over 15 years experience in teaching. Currently she instructs at the Centre for Complementary Health Education, Mount Royal College, Calgary, Canada and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine. She is presently working towards her doctorate in Educational Technology. Dr. Premkumar is also the President of Meducational Skills, Tools & Technology Inc. Canada and Meducational Skills, Tools & Technology Pvt. Ltd. India.
