The Complete Book of Massage (Paperback)

by Clare Maxwell-Hudson (Author) "In order for a massage to have the maximum benefit, it is important that it is given in a comfortable environment..." (more)
Key Phrases: fan your hands, stroke clockwise, circular pressures, Stretch Dowse (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A comprehensive guide to massage techniques with clear step-by-step instructions. Fully illustrated for all ages with color and/or black-and-white photographs on every page. 155,000 copies sold-to-date.

From the Inside Flap
A comprehensive guide to massage techniques with clear step-by-step instructions. Fully illustrated for all ages with color and/or black-and-white photographs on every page. 155,000 copies sold-to-date.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Random House; Reprint edition (May 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394759753
• ISBN-13: 978-0394759753
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #187,895 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough.., January 29, 2005

By	Daniel Chae (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found that this book has relatively good information, however, I found out most of this by myself. After reading through it once I already have most of the information memorized. This book is more the top layer of the muscle. I go to a choir college and a lot of the people here have deep knots in their shoulders and lower back. Trying to use this information does not help too much. Oh, don't get me wrong, there are several things in this book that I could use, although I might have to alter it a little. For someone that wants to go into massage therapy, I would suggest getting a few other books. I myself have purchased Art Riggs' Deep Tissue Massage book.

I would recommend this book for the people that just want to relax people for a short time. If however you would like to cause a deeper, longer lasting feeling of relaxation, purchase some other books. This book only provides the "icing on the cake" of massage.. I think. I sort of regret this buy, so think at least twice before buying.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for beginners and therapists, January 6, 2001

By	Adam Romero (El Paso, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This book is excellent and has every picture for every step and also shows you how to use oils, which types of strokes there are, and also talks a little about reflexology. It has all types of massage: Back,legs,arms,hands,shoulders,buttocks,stomach, and neck. Has massage for babies and pregnant women. Shows how to setup your own massage place and is excellent for beginners.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good for learning massage, May 29, 2004

By A Customer

I found this book to be written in an interesting and understandable way. I used this book as a resource for helping me prepare for the massage national boards. The pictures are great in this book and serve to only facilitate greater learning. I also used the following for the National Certification Examination:
Tortora's Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. This textbook is needed for board preparation. It's easy to read, excellent reference. For the actual questions to prepare for on the National Certification Examination get the following.
The Ultimate Study Guide for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: Key Review Questions and Answers by Patrick Leonardi
Vol 1, isbn; 0971999643
Vol 2, isbn; 0971999651
Vol 3, isbn; 097199966x
These 3 study guides were right on the money for the type of questions that were of board type. These 5 books helped me pass the national certification exam by a lot!