Customer Reviews

Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Compared to the other reviews I am very disappointed with this book. It does cover a wide range of information necessary to become a good massage therapist, including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, massage techniques, history, business practices & ethics, etc. However, I am very dissatisfied with the accuracy and organization of information. Despite a 4.0 in college Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Allied Health Chemistry, etc., I found the information presented within the text challenging to follow in some sections. The presentation of information lacked clarity. The diagrams and pictures were confusing due to several errors or mislabeling, lack of sufficient explanation within the text, and/or incongruence between instructions in the text and what the pictures presented. I also found it very hard to complete sections of the handbook because the information was not presented in the textbook. I have chosen to look for another book that presents information clearly and accurately.

This is by far the best Massage textbook I have used yet. It is comprehensive and still user friendly. I teach massage therapy at a massage school and we have reviewed many textbooks, this is the one that I recommend.

We are using this book in my Intro to Massage class. It has some very nice information about the history of massage and how the profession became abused and intertwined with prostitution.

However, chapter 5 (Human Anatomy and Physiology) is completely useless. In most schools, the student will be required to take an anatomy class completely separate from this book. My school also requires a class on the pathologies of massage therapy. These subjects are much too broad to be covered in an actual massage class, and will be skipped over.

Furthermore, the draping methods described in this book are outrageous. All that tucking is gratuitous and would no doubt cause the client discomfort. For example, page 445, figure 12.10h shows the massage therapist tucking the drape under the inner thigh of the client. This goes completely against the first section of chapter 3 - Boundaries.

These matters aside, this is far from the worst textbook I've ever read. These minor adjustments could make a huge difference, especially in the size of the book. My friends find it ironic that such a large book is required for massage therapy training, where I'm supposed to be learning how to alleviate matters such as back pain.

A well-thought out- well planned book for a massage student. Not too complicated. Updated pictures and graphics are great and detailed. Great references in the back. A + basic book for starting massage.

I love this book! So happy we needed it for class. Its very informative about the history of massage. Thats as far in as we are, but its written so wonderfully I have started reading chapters ahead because it has so much information I want to know! Several chapters on marketing and having your own practice. A full section on spa services and even a few spa recipes. Descriptions of different modalities plus photos of the moves. I highly recommend this book!

EDIT: I reviewed this book soon after buying it and reading through a good portion of it. Sadly, in Ohio we only need to know about 3-4 chapters from this entire book that are on the State Board Medical Exam. Save your money, split the cost with other students in class. This was unneeded and its so annoying that the school said we needed it, only to find out later we won't even be tested (when it counts) on more than half the book! I no longer highly recommend this book, in fact I would rather suggest you borrow it from the library or another student, or if you must buy it, get it super cheap used, with hi-lights, somewhere else! Sorry

This is a great book for the massage therapy student. Its filled with all the information you will need to begin your education, and a great reference source after you are practising. I especially appreciated the information about business.

I got the book from the mail, and surpise.....It's brand new!! Yeah it's brand new and it's the same book as the title said.
However thought, you should do expedited shipping if you need it fast ( I did the standard, and it took 16 days)
I love the service..I will buy from this seller again next time when in need..

I ordered two weeks before classes started and I received my book the following week! This book is great, the information is all encompassing. Recommend highly!
Thank you for your prompt delivery and great service!

This book is great for the massage therapy student. It is filled with wonderful information.

I am still waiting to hear about the refund per last correspondence. Please update on this.