Positional Release Techniques
2
Physiotherapy November 2002/vol 88/no 11 707 Book reviews Newleaf, Dublin 2002 (ISBN 0 7171 3351 6). Illus. 176 pages by Deborah Fielding £13 The title of this book is self-explanatory. It is a practical exercise guide, primarily for people with, or recovering from, back pain. The book achieves the aim of guiding you through a graded, basic back exercise programme. The structure is logical, beginning with simple advice on why and how to exercise. The first chapter details basic anatomy and gives a medically oriented view of back pain. The following chapters progress through exercises for acute back pain, for the recovering back and finally for maintenance. There are also sections on how to exercise at a desk and during pregnancy. The text is easily read and understood with the aid of pictures on every page. Although guidance is given, it may take readers a little time to develop their own programme. I personally struggled with the seated hurdle stretch. There were useful sections on assessing your own back problem and on the benefits of relaxation. It would have been encouraging if the education aspect on acute back pain had been more positive, reflecting the advice given in the Royal College of General Practitioners’ guidelines and The Back Book which is linked to the guidelines. This was highlighted with the statement: ‘If you have a bulging or herniated disc, then no exercises should be undertaken until you have sought the advice of your doctor or back-care specialist.’ Would the average person know if they had a herniated disc? Goal setting is discussed but the addition of an exercise diary might enhance individual compliance. Furthermore, although osteoporosis is rightly mentioned, there could be more information on appropriate exercise in this area. The authors have included a good reference and further reading section along with excellent useful addresses and websites. Physiotherapists will be very familiar with all the exercises presented and would probably be comfortable in recommending the book for patients keen on developing their own exercise programme at home. However, I would use it in conjunction with The Back Book, as previously mentioned. Neil Robinson MSc MCSP The Healthy Back Exercise Book Achieving and maintaining a healthy back Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh 2002, 2nd edn (ISBN 0 4430 7081 4). Illus. 216 pages by Leon Chaitow £39 Leon Chaitow has once again succeeded in putting together a book of superb quality. It is easy to read with much of the script in point format. The script size is good and the use of red ink for each section heading is eye-catching. He has made extensive use of colour diagrams – and the book includes a CD-ROM with video footage of certain techniques making it that much easier to learn the practical skills he covers. The CD-ROM also contains a complete electronic version of the text. Of particular interest to me was a chapter on INIT – integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique. This incorporates the release of myofascial trigger points using inhibitory pressure and strain/counterstrain – followed by stretching. To quote: ‘Pain is the most frequent presenting symptom in medical practice in the industrialised world. Muscle pain forms a major element of that category of symptoms and according to the leading researchers into the topic, Melzack and Wall (1998), myofascial trigger points are a key element in all chronic pain, and are often the main factor maintaining it.’ Chaitow goes on to explain how important it is that therapists have effective methods of handling myofascial pain syndromes. The chapter is thoroughly referenced with Positional Release Techniques One position for treatment of a depressed rib. Tenderness should be reduced by 70%
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Transcript of Positional Release Techniques
Physiotherapy November 2002/vol 88/no 11
707
Book reviews
Newleaf, Dublin2002 (ISBN 0 7171 3351 6). Illus. 176 pages
by Deborah Fielding £13The title of this book is self-explanatory. It is a practicalexercise guide, primarily for people with, or recoveringfrom, back pain. The book achieves the aim of guiding youthrough a graded, basic back exercise programme.
The structure is logical, beginning with simple advice onwhy and how to exercise. The first chapter details basicanatomy and gives a medically oriented view of back pain.The following chapters progress through exercises foracute back pain, for the recovering back and finally formaintenance. There are also sections on how to exercise ata desk and during pregnancy. The text is easily read andunderstood with the aid of pictures on every page. Althoughguidance is given, it may take readers a little time to developtheir own programme. I personally struggled with the seatedhurdle stretch.
There were useful sections on assessing your own back
problem and on the benefits of relaxation. It would havebeen encouraging if the education aspect on acute backpain had been more positive, reflecting the advice given inthe Royal College of General Practitioners’ guidelines andThe Back Book which is linked to the guidelines. This washighlighted with the statement: ‘If you have a bulging orherniated disc, then no exercises should be undertakenuntil you have sought the advice of your doctor or back-carespecialist.’ Would the average person know if they had aherniated disc?
Goal setting is discussed but the addition of an exercisediary might enhance individual compliance. Furthermore,although osteoporosis is rightly mentioned, there could bemore information on appropriate exercise in this area.
The authors have included a good reference and furtherreading section along with excellent useful addresses andwebsites. Physiotherapists will be very familiar with all theexercises presented and would probably be comfortable inrecommending the book for patients keen on developingtheir own exercise programme at home. However, I woulduse it in conjunction with The Back Book, as previouslymentioned.
Neil Robinson MSc MCSP
The Healthy Back Exercise BookAchieving and maintaining a healthy back
Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh2002, 2nd edn (ISBN 0 4430 7081 4). Illus. 216 pages
by Leon Chaitow £39Leon Chaitow has once again succeeded in putting togethera book of superb quality. It is easy to read with much of thescript in point format. The script size is good and the use ofred ink for each section heading is eye-catching. He hasmade extensive use of colour diagrams – and the bookincludes a CD-ROM with video footage of certain techniquesmaking it that much easier to learn the practical skills hecovers. The CD-ROM also contains a complete electronicversion of the text.
Of particular interest to me was a chapter on INIT –integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique. Thisincorporates the release of myofascial trigger points usinginhibitory pressure and strain/counterstrain – followed bystretching.
To quote: ‘Pain is the most frequent presenting symptomin medical practice in the industrialised world. Muscle pain forms a major element of that category of symptomsand according to the leading researchers into the topic,Melzack and Wall (1998), myofascial trigger points are a
key element in all chronic pain, and are often the mainfactor maintaining it.’
Chaitow goes on to explain how important it is thattherapists have effective methods of handling myofascialpain syndromes. The chapter is thoroughly referenced with
Positional Release Techniques
One position for treatment of a depressed rib. Tenderness should bereduced by 70%
707-711BookReviews 23/10/02 12:28 am Page 707
Physiotherapy November 2002/vol 88/no 11
708
clear text set out mostly in point format and diagramsoutlining pain reference zones and treatment techniques.Some of the techniques are discussed further in videofootage on the CD-ROM.
The book incorporates a chapter on the Mulligan concept– written by Ed Wilson – in which he outlines similaritiesbetween positional release techniques and NAGS-SNAGS aswell as detailing the concept. The case studies are clearlyvisible in coloured boxes and all help to clarify the subjectbeing discussed.
Other chapters include ‘The evolution of dysfunction’,‘Learning SCS’ and ‘Functional technique’. It is exciting tosee a chapter outlining ‘Cranial and TMJ positional releasemethods’. Treatment of the temporomandibular joint is anarea in which I feel we have let the public down as too
few patients are referred for effective treatment of this joint.The closing chapter is written by Dylan Morrissey and
covers ‘unloading and proprioceptive’ taping in a very clearand logical manner.
Each chapter is referenced – the majority of referenceshaving been published within the past ten years. At £39 I feel this book is very good value.
In conclusion I quote from John McPartland in theforeword: ‘Chaitow’s genius is synthesis: he puts togetherideas from different thinkers. Positional Release Techniques isfilled with concrete examples, fine line drawings, and carefulguidelines, which make the techniques easy to learn andapply. It is an excellent text for all levels of beginners.’
Alison Taylor BSc MCSP
Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh2002 (ISBN 0 443 07120 9). Illus. 200 pages
edited by Peter A Mackereth and Denise Tiran £19.99Reflexology as a method of treatment is gradually becomingan integrated part of healthcare. This multi-author softbackbook provides broad information on the uses of reflexologyas an integrated therapy in today’s health services. Itdiscusses the present-day evidence of efficacy, in the light ofthe demand for evidence-based practice, to understand andjustify the credibility of reflexology in clinical practice.
This book is clearly divided into two major sections. Each
section contains short chapters written by authors mainlyfrom the nursing, reflexology and teaching professions.Section 1 contains a critical review of the origin and theoryof reflexology as well as professional aspects coveringaccountability, ethics and legal issues. Section 2 presentschapters on the clinical application of reflexology inwomen’s health during pregnancy and childbirth (seefigure), and on neonatal care, areas of learning disability,mental health and palliative care.
Illustrative case studies are dotted throughout the text.Each chapter is well laid out with an abstract, key words anda highlighted box of ‘mini-contents summary’ at thebeginning. There are extensive references and usefulcontact addresses at the end of each chapter with an indexat the back of the book and 14 coloured plates which arerepeated in monochrome in the text.
The plurality of references appears impressive, while their frequent repetition reminds readers of the paucity of research into complementary therapies.
This book is user friendly, pleasant to handle and one candip in and out of it without losing the threads. The colourplates however do not enhance the totality.
In the preface to this book, the editors state that they wishto encourage an objective debate to enhance thedevelopment of the profession (reflexology?). I believe theyhave achieved this and look forward to another edition withcontributions from professionals allied to medicine as well.
I welcome this well written book about clinical reflexologyas a serious attempt by highly qualified professionals tojustify the integration of reflexology in today’s overallhealthcare. Rather pricey for individual purchase, it is amust for any well-stocked library and recommended as anexcellent reference source into the efficacy and plurality ofreflexology applications.
Note: Since May 2002, The Foundation for Integrated Medicineis now called The Foundation for Integrated Health.
Gunnel Berry MSc MCSP LegSjukgymn
Clinical Reflexology A guide for health professionals
Reflexology map showing some areas of relevance to conception,pregnancy and lactation
Pituitary glandzone
Solar plexuszone
Fallopiantube zone
(medialend)
Fallopiantube zone
(distalend)
Breast zone
Left ovary zoneZone for the right side of uterus
Left dorsumRight sole
Right inner Left outer
707-711BookReviews 23/10/02 12:28 am Page 708
