09th Apr 2010
Massage Therapy – Principles and Practice by Susan G. Galvo
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.
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