For massage therapy students, and even for professionals, finding a reliable massage therapy book either for review purposes or as a reference material, is not easy at all considering there are many options around. If you are keen in finding good resource materials, many would notice how most books offering information on bodyworks are often reproduction or poor re-worded copies of existing materials blown up with senseless fillers to make it look like brand-new information. For those in search of respectable information on the subject, “Massage Therapy – Principle and Practice” might be something you want to consider.

Authored by Susan G. Galvo, a nationally certified state-licensed massage therapist and natural therapeutic specialist, with a wide scope of training which includes infant massage techniques, myotherapy, reflexology, body mobilization, sports massage, spa specialization, neuromuscular therapy and a whole lot more, she had wonderfully filled the 928 pages of her book with useful and interesting information incorporating her experience and knowledge on the techniques of the field. A known talented instructor in many massage schools, training centers, universities and hospitals across the country, Galvo had applied her effective teaching approaches to the book.

Anyone who has explored the encouraging pages of this material would acquaint himself to Galvo’s simple, user-friendly techniques and visually engaging guides to basic and advanced massage therapy. Published by Saunders, that alone speaks of the quality and reliability of the text and the entirety of the material. Tracing back the roots of the therapy all the way to the modern approaches of massage, the text better makes the reader get more acquainted to the art, explore on basic concepts and advancing to more profound techniques like rehabilitative processes. In the 27 chapters, different aspects are discussed in depth; from the professional standards and foundation of therapeutic relationship, safety standards, basics of body mechanics, assessment and documentation of clients’ symptoms and responses to the therapy, to the different systems to be treated as well as the proper approaches and techniques (strokes) to be applied.

Generally, the text is more effective for those with medical backgrounds like nurses and therapists who have had initial studies since the approach of the material focuses on body systems in the anatomy and physiology aspect. Along with the material, an added chapter on Asian Bodywork (shiatsu) is included along with the introduction of foot reflexology. Though the terminologies are laid out, they better serve as references for the advanced rather than a basic learning guide for beginners. With the comprehensive information and the medical aspect of the text, many have found the book an effective review material for different licensure examinations.

Truly organized information, not a system of the body was left out. For many, especially the students, apart from the massage therapy side of the material, the entirety of the book makes a wonderful anatomy reference as well. The information on how the body works and how and why it responds to approaches like massage therapy is clearly laid out and well-put together all throughout the chapters. A truly useful and excellent material for students and professionals alike, “Massage Therapy” could be obtained for a mere $66. It’s like having 2 books in one, and on many websites, you might even avail of special price offers of $10 off the price and free of shipping costs. A must-have for those who need reliable information, this book is highly recommended by many.

True, one does not need an intensive course in anatomy to lay your hands on another person. But many would often claim they do not have the hands for it and would only tend to dabble around their partner’s body with oil, and that’s about the kind of massage they can give. When in reality massage is a natural thing, it is also considered an art, thus, could be learned. And if so desired, could even be refined. Sensuality springs from within, but if sometimes, a person needs to be guided on how to better deliver that sensuality, books can be a wonderful way to tell you exactly what you need to hear and still, maintain your privacy. A bestseller work by Gordon Inkeles have helped millions of partners throughout the world give pleasurable massages to each other, and will, by no doubt, help you and your partner better indulge in each other as well.

His book, “The Art of Sensual Massage” brings massage back to where it originally started – - – in our bedrooms – - – right before all the modern methods of bodyworks were even discovered. Each of the 161 pages of paperback copy is filled with beautifully laid out romantic and practical techniques to relax your partner while giving him pleasure with the use of your hands. Divided into four parts and 14 chapters, every single page opens your eyes to many practicalities often neglected today, yet, in reality, could actually help partners enjoy each other better. Detailing every important aspect of sensual massage, the book emphasizes even the preparation of the massage itself. Stressing the importance of manipulating the environment to create an overall relaxing ambience, the material points out the need to turn off the phone, close the doors, choosing the fabric for your sheets and setting up the tiniest details which altogether will create a warm and soothing atmosphere for both partners.

The book teaches you on exploring the different oils and essences and how to properly use them so as to spread the same pleasure as you spread them on another’s body. The rest of the chapters talks of the different muscle groups to target and the proper strokes and techniques to be used. Illustrations are included throughout the pages, beautiful, tasteful black and white photos of partners demonstrating the proper hand positions on the other’s body. Though photos of partners are in nude, they are not, in any way offensive. In fact, they properly describe and picture out the kind of sensuality and romance encouraged in the book, while at the same time help partners open up to each other and learn to use and accept their bodies as well of their partner’s.

Inkeles’ descriptions and instructions are both inspiring and tasteful, truly helpful for those who do not know much about the simplest of techniques or those who do not have much confidence of her capability to be inventive in providing pleasure to her partner. The first part of the book helps one get started and the rest will guide you as you learn. You don’t need to have prior experiences to give a sensual massage to your partner. As the book encourages one to keep her hands on her partner to stay connected,  even professionals are appreciating the more romantic and relationship-leaned side of the book. Many have claimed to have gained more confidence with their partners after reading the book.

For partners who are willing to take it further, the last two chapters talks of erotic massage and “special effects’” which provides tips for a more satisfying bedroom experiences and suggestions of using massage tables and the like. Massage is a wonderful gift you could give to your partner. In fact, the book itself is a wonderful message to send. Anyone would be lucky to get hold of a copy of “The Art of Sensual Massage”. Listed at $19.95 in many places, special offers can even help you avail a copy for less than $15. With the price alone, plus the wonderful experiences you are to have, surely, you would never be disappointed.

As myofascial pains and it syndromes are becoming commonly encountered by physicians, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and physical therapists among their patients, this material could come as a very handy reference tool for evaluation and treatment of different forms of muscle pain. Both easy to use and comprehensive, every chapter is filled with the necessary guide to better help practitioners identify pain patterns, pinpoint causative factors and employ the necessary techniques to alleviate the pains involved. Each muscle group is discussed in depth along with the trigger points, movements and diagnosis techniques. But the appendixes on meridian pathways, cutaneous zones and common acupoints would also be very helpful for therapists on top of the included index of symptoms and guide to effectively use the manual.

With how the information is presented and laid out, it would be more convenient and effective for professionals and students who have prior background to massage therapy. Otherwise, if introduced to beginners, they might not have a very good grasp of the information as the most basic starter information have been left out from the 5 chapters and medical terms are used throughout the context. Generally, the book is a wonderful reference material that covers all the advanced and experts’ resources needs. Most reviews about the book were are positive and many finds its price truly friendly. At $19.95 (a few dollars less on certain places even, try Amazon), it is a worthy investment for anyone who is in the field of physical and massage therapy as well as any pain management treatment in general.

Among the most commended massage therapy books I came across with, something I believe comes truly useful both for beginners and experts alike, is the “Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment” by James H. Clay (co-authored by David M. Pounds). A 443-paged hardcover material published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a reputed publisher of the best medical books and references, it is easy to tell the quality of this material. As the book suggests ‘basic’ techniques, the 10 chapters of information between those covers have been found even by the advanced and well-trained therapists an awesome reference as well. Apart from that, its well-presented, easily comprehensible information and illustrations makes it an effective client education tool. Any therapist knows he should always be ready to explain to his patients where a problem may lie so they would understand the type of therapy they are to receive.

The carefully chosen visuals laid out in the book are perhaps among the very things that make the whole material most easy to understand, especially for patients and beginners. As the book is divided into two parts, the first part focuses on “Foundations of Clinical Massage Therapy” and assessment techniques and practices, while the second part leans more on treatment approaches. The therapy techniques in the book’s second part is presented in clear and accurate details emphasizing chapter by chapter one area of the body after another – - – the treatment for head, face and neck comprising one chapter in itself; shoulder, chest and upper back in a whole separate chapter; and the rest of the chapters focusing on the specific treatment for the target area: arm and hand, vertebral column, lower back and abdomen, the pelvis, thighs, and the leg, ankle and foot.

For those with background knowledge on message therapy, the clear and practical manner of how the information was laid out makes it a perfect review material for certification exams. In the DVD included, demonstrations of massage techniques from the book contains equally clear and amazing computer-generated illustrations, with details of anatomy structures, muscle groups to be targeted along with surface landmarks where the therapists’ hands should be positioned. The demonstrations contained in the DVD not only help students see which muscle groups are being worked, they also get to see exactly how the techniques are done as laid out in the book.

Containing more useful tools like references of prefixes and suffixes, kinetic terminologies, a guide to the muscle groups and even a list of related studies are included to enable students get the best of their massage therapy learning, or any person interested in the subject to fully understand the whole concept. Glossary and index pages at the end of the book are provided as well. Loaded with useful and practical information from cover to cover, the book is definitely not most of the thousand pages book packed with filler materials. So to say, it is very organized and concise and has exactly what any patient, beginner, or advanced therapist need from a massage therapy book. The book is normally priced at $64.99, but online bookstores and marketplaces like Ebay and Overstock have it up in special offer between $40 to $45. Amazon offers you new prices and used prices if you want to get the most of your money. But for a truly valuable resource material, its regular price is definitely already a great bargain in itself!