Course Reference Books - for Students

Massage Techniques:

Beard's Massage / De Domenico and Wood / W B Saunders Co
Complete Guide To Sports Massage / Paine / A & C Black
Handbook of Massage Therapy: A Complete Guide for the Student and Professional Massage Therapist / Cassar /
Butterworth-Heinemann Medical
Massage For Sport / Watt / Crowood Press
Mosby's Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage / Fritz / Mosby-Year Book
Mosby's Basic Science for Soft Tissue and Movement Therapies / Fritz, Paholsky and Grosenbach / Mosby-Year Book
Performance Massage / King / Human Kinetics
Soft Tissue Manipulation / Chaitow / Astrologers Library
Sports Massage / Ylinen and Cash / Stanley Paul
Therapeutic Massage / Holey and Cook / WB Saunders Co
The Book of Massage: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Eastern and Western Techniques / Liddel, Thomas,
Beresford Cooke, and Porter / Simon and Schuster
The Complete Book of Massage / Maxwell-Hudson / Random House
The Healing Art of Sports Massage / Johnson / Rodale Press
The Massage Book / Downing / Random House
Understanding Sports Massage / Benjamin and Lamp / Human Kinetics

Anatomy and Physiology:

Anatomy of Movement / Blandine Calais-Germain / Eastland Press
Atlas of the Skeletal Muscles / Stone and Stone / Wm C Brown
Concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology / Van De Graaf / Wm C Brown
Gray’s Anatomy / Gray / Longmans
Human Anatomy and Physiology / Carola, Harley, & Noback / McGraw-Hill
Human Anatomy and Physiology / Marieb / Benjamin Cummins
Human Anatomy and Physiology / Spence and Mason / Benjamin Cummins
Skeletal Muscle / Jones and Round / Manchester University Press
Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function / Lieber / Williams and Wilkins
The Muscle Book / Paul Blakey / Bibliotek

Associated books:

Massage: A Career at Your Fingertips / Ashley / Enterprise Publications
Massage Therapy Career Guide / Capellini / Milady Publishing Co
Massage: A Career at Your Fingertips - The Complete Guide to Becoming a Bodywork Professional / Martin Ashley /
Enterprise Publishing

study text books

SUGGESTED MASSAGE and A&P SOURCE BOOKS
There are a wide selection of titles available relating to massage, and A&P. Whilst we do not recommend that students
learn massage techniques from books, after physical training, the following (just a small selection of those we have come
across) may prove useful as a reference. Those set as course texts are listed first.

The Active School of Complementary Therapy

For Students

Others titles that we have come across but not investigated in depth:

(Book Title / Author / Publisher)

Book List

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Highly Recommended Texts

Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology:

All the titles above are available from the Active Bookstore (latest versions). There are also numerous titles relating to
other complementary therapies. Alternatively, you can search Amazon for any books using the search box below. Amazon
has a wide range of excellent new and used massage related books available. You can browse the near 2,000 titles, which
include those related to specific techniques like Trigger Point Massage, those related to other styles or forms of therapy e.g.
Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, etc., and those that in related fields like
Anatomy & Physiology, Sports Injuries etc.

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The Nightingale Conant web site is also worth a visit:

Massage and Related Techniques:

P ractitioner Resources

Hands on Sports Therapy - Covers the whole range of subjects required for college courses in Sports
Therapy. It is an introduction to the field of sports therapy covering the basic theory of fitness and
exercise. The book is aimed at both students and experienced therapists looking to upgrade their skills,
and will be clear, informative and very practical.

Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy - A guide to massage as a remedial therapy for sports training and
injuries which covers the practical and theoretical aspects of the subject and shows how to work in a
support role with medical practitioners treating more serious injury. It sees massage as a vital component
in an athlete's training.

Soft Tissue Release - Whether for sporting competition, work or generally for the maintenance of
posture, everyone needs muscles that are strong, supply and in balance. Regular manipulation of the soft
tissues has an essential role to play and this work should transform any treatment, allowing specific
problems to be rapidly and effectively addressed. This updated guide is a compact yet comprehensive
source of information for the physical therapist and will unlock the secrets of "STR". The book is clearly
illustrated through a series of diagrams and photo sequences to show the techniques involved. The book
is divided into 8 parts, introducing "STR" and then going on to cover the technique, the lower and upper
limbs, the trunk and the neck. Pre and post event treatment and self treatment are also clearly explained.

Modern Neuromuscular Techniques - This is a textbook for practitioners, written in a common
language understandable and acceptable to all bodywork therapists and acupressure practitioners. It
provides instruction on making precise and systematic evaluations of soft tissue problems, and gives
up-to-date information of a specific range of related therapeutic techniques.

Anatomy Trains -This title offers an accessible and comprehensive approach to the anatomy and
function of the fascial system in the body combined with a holistic overview of myofascial therapy. Many
demonstrates exactly how the muscles connect within the connect tissue to affect posture,
compensatory strain and pain patterns. The aim is to present scientifically sound and often complicated
material in a way which can be easily learned, understood, and applied by those who do not necessarily
have a scientific background. "Anatomy Trains" is written and presented in a style that allows this new
information on the myofascial system to be easily absorbed by a wide range of readers: from the student,
athlete, or client to the most experienced therapist.

Muscle Energy Techniques - This book describes the basis and practice of MET ie those manipulative
techniques in which a patient, on request, actively uses his or her muscles from a controlled position in a
specific direction against a distinct counterforce applied by the practitioner. This is now a widely
recognised approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction. It combines methods used in
physical therapy, osteopathy, chiropractic and manual medicine. The text provides a comprehensive and
up-to-date presentation of the techniques. The DVD-ROM includes video clips to demonstrate the
application of the techniques and so supports and supplements the text.

Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork - The first and second editions of this book were required
reading in many massage and bodywork schools. Greatly expanded, with new concepts of physiology and
physicality, including the revolutionary findings of Jason W. Brown and Mae-Wan Ho, this is a clear,
comprehensive and readable reference for all bodywork practitioners, as well as anyone interested in the
workings of the body.

Palpation and Assessment Skills: Assessment and Diagnosis Through Touch - Designed and
developed to help the reader to understand and acquire the palpatory skills which are the foundation of all
effective manual therapy assessments and treatments. Subtle and sensitivity of touch and the accurate
interpretation of palpatory tests are required from the start of training in any of the manual therapy
professions. It is difficult to learn these from written descriptions or static illustrations alone.By combining a
workbook approach with the use of video demonstrations and audio explanations on a CD-Rom, "Palpation
Skills" provides the student and developing practitioner with a portable workshop which they can access
at any time. "Palpation Skills: Assessment and Diagnosis through Touch" will be of practical to use to every
manual therapist and practitioner at all stages of their professional development. It can help them to
extend the range of skills they can bring to their practice by bringing together suggested approaches from
a variety of disciplines.

Remedial Massage Therapy - Remedial massage therapy has increased in popularity since the mid 1990s.
There are now more courses than ever before which offer the student the opportunity to learn this
versatile technique. "Remedial Massage Therapy" is a reference tool for any student or practitioner.
Remedial massage can be used on numerous conditions, and also be used in a variety of situations from
the confines of a treatment room to the sports field. Fully illustrated with black and white photographs
and line drawings, the book takes a comprehensive look at remedial massage. Key areas covered include
the history of massage, different massage techniques, muscles and joints, and assessing the patient. A
fully detailed section then goes on to cover specific areas of the body, from the neck and shoulder down
to the feet and ankles.

Facilitated Stretching - With greater emphasis on effective self-stretching routines, this book provides
the reader with information on PNF, or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. PNF refers to techniques
that improve range of motion, reduce overuse injuries, and facilitate easy assessment of muscle function.

Pocket Atlas of the Moving Body - Mel Cash, a leading sports massage practitioner, has published this
indispensable guide to the human muscular and skeletal system. It contains all the most relevant
information needed to understand how the human body moves and maintains posture, drawing together
knowledge from several different areas of medical science and presenting it in a clear and simple style.
There is nothing similar available on the market, and the book is essential for all students of human biology,
medicine, and physical therapy (orthodox and complementary), and anyone involved at any level in sport,
exercise, or dance. The 40 specially commissioned colour illustrations, plus 25 line drawings, provide a full
picture of the human muscular and skeletal system, and the accompanying text explains how they may
become injured, and the various other causes of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.

The Massage Connection: Anatomy and Physiology - This is the anatomy and physiology text
written especially for students and practitioners of massage therapy. This edition integrates massage
therapy concepts within the anatomy and physiology content, including sections that discuss how
massage interacts with the body systems. The book covers all of the major body systems - integumentary,
skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems - that are crucial to effective massage therapy, and provides an
overview of other body systems to give students a well-rounded understanding of anatomy and
physiology.

Trail Guide to the Body: How to Locate Muscles, Bones, and More - This book is well structured
and clear to understand with a depth of knowledge required for most practising therapists or
bodyworkers. The diagrams are clear and coloured in a way that enables the bodyworker or palpator to
identify very specifically the bone or muscle that he/she is seeking.

Sports Injuries: Diagnosis and Management - This completely updated and extended edition of the
highly successful and practical handbook, "Sports Injuries: Diagnosis and Management" provides the most
comprehensive single source for the management of soft-tissue injuries. Designed and written for clarity,
the book provides an equal balance of scientific information and clinical guidance, emphasising an
evidenced-based approach. Divided into 20 chapters, the book covers biomechanics of injury, tissue
healing, sports massage, taping, exercise therapy and training, first contact management, gait and detailed
coverage of sports injuries to the upper limb, lower limb and trunk. Well referenced and extensively
illustrated, this greatly expanded and revised text will continue to be invaluable to physiotherapists,
chiropractors, osteopaths, sports and massage therapists, medical practitioners, coaches, trainers and all
those involved in the treatment of athletes and sports people.

Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain - This renowned classic provides unparalleled
coverage of manual muscle testing, plus evaluation and treatment of faulty and painful postural conditions.
The thoroughly updated Fifth Edition is completely reorganized and has new, expanded treatment and
exercise sections in each chapter. Other features include a new section on post-polio syndrome, additional
case studies comparing Guillain-Barre to polio muscle tests, a new full-color design, and a first-of-its-kind
chart of upper extremity articulations. A bonus Primal Anatomy CD-ROM contains a three-dimensional
interactive model of the human body. Students can rotate the model and add or subtract layers of
anatomy to strengthen their knowledge.

The Massage Connection: Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology - SPIRAL BOUND - This book is
focused on the anatomy and physiology needs of massage therapy students and practitioners. It gives
extensive coverage of the major body systemsiXintegumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervousiXcrucial for
massage therapy. It also provides an overview of other body systems so students have a well-rounded
understanding of anatomy and physiology. This text is organized into three major sections. The first
section focuses on the anatomy and physiology of each body system. Important topics in pathology such
as pain, inflammation and healing are detailed in the second section. The third section provides case
studies in relation to each body system, giving common scenarios that therapists may come across.

The Anatomy Coloring Book - For over 23 years, The Anatomy Coloring Book has been the leading
human anatomy coloring book, offering concisely written text and precise, extraordinary hand-drawn
figures. Organized according to body systems, each of the 170 plates featured in this book includes an
ingenious color-key system anatomical terminology is linked to detail illustration of the structures of the
body.

Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance - The extensive revision of this
masterpiece combines the strengths of previous editions with content updates necessary for today’s
students. The Fifth Edition is a must for building a healthy foundation in nutrition, energy transfer, and
exercise training. Exceptional full-colour illustrations have always been a hallmark of Exercise Physiology, and
the new Fifth Edition has the most exquisite art program yet. The numerous high-quality figures, charts,
tables and photographs enhance your students’ understanding of important topics and reinforce key
concepts.

Kinetic Anatomy: The Essentials of Human Anatomy (Book & CD Rom) - Useful as an introductory
anatomy text for undergraduate courses in sport science, athletic training, physical education and
coaching, this title also serves as a reference for practitioners in physical activity fields. It breaks down the
elements of structural human anatomy in to four key sections - the basic concepts of anatomy, the upper
extremity of the body, the spinal column, pelvis and thorax and the lower extremity of the body - making
the overall subject easier to understand. It encourages students to learn anatomy through hands-on
experiments. The text also provides learning activities, practice questions and suggested readings for
students as well as an online instructor guide and test package for course tutors. "The Essentials of
Interactive Functional Anatomy CD-ROM" from Primal Pictures contains full 3-D animations of the human
skeleton, which allows users to remove structures layer-by-layer from skin down to bone. The CD-Rom also
contains 32 muscle animations of joint motions, quizzes and a live-action video option, which allows
observation of muscle actions during walking, standing from a sitting position, and other physical activities
such as push-ups and sit-ups.

Manual of Structural Kinesiology - This book provides a straightforward look at human anatomy and its
relation to movement. The text identifies specific muscles and muscle groups and describes exercises for
strengthening and developing those muscles. The "Manual of Structural Kinesiology" makes important
information readily available to students through a combination of logical presentation and a concise writing
style.

Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for the Massage Therapist - There has been an increase in
interest in massage during the latter half of the 1990s, which has led to more colleges running the the
courses. This book addresses anatomy, physiology and pathology, specifically aimed at the massage
therapist. It provides a solid base for the student and early practitioner to learn the physical make-up of
the body, giving a broad introduction to the body's physical functioning. The emphasis is on the body
systems and aspects most relevant to the dynamics of massage, such as muscle activity, stress response,
tension and relaxation, and the effect of touch. The book looks at: terminology; chemistry of the body;
cells, tissues, organs and body systems; movement systems - the main bones and skeletal muscles;
communication systems - the nervous, endocrine and immune systems; maintenance, growth and repair -
the respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, urinary and reproductive systems.

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First off a Quick Tip:

A Valuable One Stop Dictionary

Let's say you're doing some research for your course and you come across the word "anaphylactic." You need to know
the definition, but you also need to know more about it than what you get from the built-in dictionary in MS Word or the
one on your bookshelf. In other words, you need a good medical dictionary.

Or let's say you come across the word "jornalero" in an article about immigration. Does it mean "journal"? (No!) In this
case, you need a good Spanish-English dictionary.

In fact, depending on the kind of work and/or reading you do, you may also need a good dictionary of financial terms, of
slang, of sports, of business, of computing, of science... and so on. But an extensive library of dictionaries could be an
expensive proposition, taking up tons of space and time (as you go from book to book).

For an easy solution to this problem, go to http://www.onelook.com. This free resource has indexed 931 dictionaries. All
you do is enter the word you want a definition (or translation) for and click "search." Bingo! If you aren't sure of the
spelling, OneLook also allows you to do a partial-word wildcard search. (Explained on their website.)

All of the books listed on this page are available from the
Active Bookstore

Gaia Centre for Holistic Therapy, 17 Frederick Street
Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3BH
email: admin@activetherapyschool.co.uk
Tel 1: 01509 556101

Do you need to learn Anatomy & Physiology?
If so check out this Distance Learning Course.