Designed as a classroom text, and replicated with full-color format and illustrations, this work covers the history of massage, definitions and descriptions of massage and medical terminology, hygiene, sanitation and safety in the clinic, preparation for treatment, assessment techniques for designing massage routines, basic therapeutic approaches (including hydrotherapy, circulatory enhancement, reflexology, connective tissue, trigger point, and acupressure therapy), and business and professional practice management. Readers will find expanded information on ethics and professionalism, special populations, complementary bodywork, and energy based systems; the power of touch; and appendices on common medications and implications for massage, skin pathology, and self massage. Integrated workbook features assist the student in acquiring a firm knowledge base. The third edition (due Dec 03) includes a great deal of added content in important areas, including body mechanics, business practices, palpation and differential assessment, sports massage, spa therapies, lymphatic drainage massage, medical massage, and Oriental and Eastern theory.

For the third edition (Nov 03) a new chapter, Integration�Case Studies, combines the information from this textbook with basic science content to help students put the material from the text into practical application with individual clients. The 20 case studies in this chapter cover common conditions seen by massage professionals in day and destination spas, as well as health, fitness, wellness, sport, and medical settings. Content has been significantly expanded to help students prepare for practice in the areas of: Palpation and differential assessment, Sports massage, Spa applications, Lymphatic drainage massage, Medical massage, Oriental and Eastern massage theory and application, and Conflict resolution. In addition, there is increased material on gait and muscle assessment procedures � as well as muscle firing patterns � which helps to increase assessment skills and prepare students for more advanced massage training. There is greater focus on clinical reasoning to help support student-directed learning, and an appealing design that makes the text easier to use. Finally, content has been revised and updated to reflect changes in accordance with new COMTA (Commission On Massage Therapy Accreditation) standards, so readers will have the latest and most relevant information available.