Condition Specific Massage Therapy

Condition Specific Massage Therapy is a textbook intended for massage therapy students enrolled in an entry level program, and practicing therapists who want to hone their critical thinking and massage skills to target the structures involved in common chronic pain conditions. Though recommendations for treatment are provided, Condition Specific Massage Therapy is more of a “what is...?” than a “how to...” textbook. Signs, symptoms, anatomy, physiology, assessment, indications, contraindications, and treatment goals provide the critical thinking tools necessary to develop a treatment protocol that can be adapted to the client's specific needs, and the practitioner’s preferred therapeutic method. Chapters include: Fundamental Principles: ■ The Basic Tools for Specific Treatment ■ Fascia ■ Myofascial Trigger Points Conditions in Specific Locations: ■ Hyperkyphosis ■ Tension Headaches ■ Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ■ Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ■ Hyperlordosis ■ Piriformis Syndrome ■ Patellofemoral Syndrome ■ Plantar Fasciitis Conditions Affecting Locations Throughout the Body: ■ Muscle Strains ■ Ligament Sprains ■ Tendinopathies Without going deeply into clinical detail, this book explains how to use entry level massage therapy skills to educate and treat clients with specific musculoskeletal conditions. The features of this book were designed with consideration for diverse learning styles and to accommodate the wide variety of techniques known as massage therapy. To help contextualize common symptoms massage therapists frequently encounter, each chapter includes the following: UNDERSTANDING [THE CONDITION] ■ Explanation of the condition and the anatomical structures involved ■ Common signs and symptoms ■ Possible causes and contributing factors ■ Conditions commonly confused with or contributing to the condition described ■ Contraindications and special considerations for treatment ■ Current research on the benefits of massage for the condition WORKING WITH THE CLIENT ■ Important questions for the client’s health history ■ Postural assessment ■ Standard ROM for joints involved and common outcomes from ROM testing ■ Simple orthopedic tests ■ Photograph showing trigger points and referral areas common to the condition ■ Treatment goals ■ Client self-care and suggestions for further treatments PROFESSIONAL GROWTH ■ Case study with SOAP notes ■ Critical thinking exercises