Author: Sue

Massage and Manual Therapy for Orthopaedic Conditions, 2^nd Edition

Thomas Hendrickson  ISBN -10: 0-78179574-5

This book is an essential manual for the clinical massage therapist and sports massage therapist. It introduces massage techniques that promote the alignment of the soft tissue relating to pain and dysfunction. It clearly explains the rationale behind orthopaedic massage, mechanisms of injury to and repair of the soft tissue.

It gives detailed, clear assessment for each region of the body, discusses common injuries. All accompanied with easy to follow instruction with illustrations on how to apply and execute this scientifically based style of massage.

It is like a complete package, maybe a lot of what we already understand, in terms of assessment and MET’s, however, pulled together to bring a comprehensive protocol, this is easy to follow. There are case studies at the end of each chapter that show case testing and therapy work in clinical setting.

It is a great both for the newly qualified and experienced therapist alike.

 

Soft Tissue Pain and Disability

Rene Cailliet; M.D, pain series.

The ‘Calliet’ books I am sure we all have one on our shelves. I thought it may be useful to revisit. Sometimes old friends can shed new insights. I have the 2^nd edition of this book, I find I can dip in and out; the chapters are short and the illustrations simple for me to follow and understand the information. I have found his explanation on the concepts of chronic pain most useful. This is one of the books that helps me with my reflective practice when I am trying to work out a patient’s pain pattern when they present with an acute pain on top of a chronic pain.

I am so pleased to announce that on the invitation of Mary McConnell, who attended an Introduction to the Hendrickson Method, this April, I am taking the Hendrickson Method to Scotland, the 3 day workshop will be held at the Tir na Nog centre, on the banks of Loch Lomond, near Glasgow, on the 16th /17th /18th of November this year. It feels really encouraging that Mary got so much out of the course she would want to take it back home and make it available to fellow therapist.
It is such an honour and joy to create the Hendrickson Method U.K; we have at the moment only 26 qualified H.M practitioners it would be wonderful to have more as I receive enquires form people who have heard of the work, however, there is not a practitioner in their area.
Becoming a Hendrickson Method therapist, gave me techniques to truly unravel patterns of dysfunction, in a pain free way. That has enabled my patients to believe that they can be well, pain free and moving freely. It is Tom’s innovative stokes combined with his wave mobilisation that allows me to treat those in acute pain, to those who are in extreme sensitive chronic pain

During May I attended a Postural Assessment workshop at NLSSM – www.nlssm.com, with Jason Anderson, this is one to be recommended.

I went with the aim of consolidating knowledge, with the hope of a deepening and expanding. Jason was full of passion for his work, and could explain, with such clarity and good humour. His knowledge linked in with the work I have been doing with Tom around Janda’s theories.

I know I am always reflecting about the role of each muscle, in any given movement, are they agonise, antagonist, synergist, I often think that really each muscle plays a supporting role in what ever the action, always trying to keep the structure straight, the skill is working out which muscle is not ‘pulling it’s weight in any given pattern of dysfunction, Jason nicely confirmed my developing thoughts. Well worth the trip to London.

It was great having Giles assist on our recent workshop and you be glad to know he is coming back to define and reformat the Hendrickson Method workshops. Once practitioners are qualified Giles is committed to giving the therapist the opportunity to deepen and fine tune their massage strokes and skills

The new format for the Hendrickson Method Practitioner Programme starts next February and the additional workshop with Giles will start on the 8^th February 2013 and will run for three days

Assessment and Treatment of Muscle Imbalance, The Janda Approach
Phil Page, Clare C. Frank, Robert Landa

This book brings together a combination of postural techniques, neurology and functional capabilities to improve chronic musculoskeletal pain and promote greater functionality. Developed by Vladimir Janda, a renowned physiotherapist and neurologist, the Janda approach presents a unique perspective to rehabilitation. There is an emphasis on the importance of the sensorimotor system in controlling movement in chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes. This book is the only one I have found that offers practical evidence based applications to Janda’s theories.

His theories on assessment have been a clarifying process for me, and resulted in a truly profound breakthrough in helping one of my patients out of their chronic dysfunction.

I also found his theories on Muscle Slings and their Anatomical Keystone relationships most informative, in association with assessment procedure, they often have promoted new thoughts and perspective on chronic conditions.