Allied Health

For body mechanics courses taken by massage therapists and other bodyworkers and to supplement basic bodywork courses in massage.

This excellent reference for practitioners provides a basic understanding of the contributing factors and self-care options for common injuries and overuse syndromes that effect bodyworkers—such as thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, headaches, stiff neck, TMJ disorder, sciatic pain, and knee and other joint discomforts. It also offers strategies for preventing the recurrence of these conditions. A comprehensive, and easy-to-use program stresses the importance of individuals becoming active players in their own health and wellness, and helps each student to prepare and renew for the demanding work of massage therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic and other physical forms of health care.

• “Kinesthetic Exercises” and “Questions for Discussion”—Highlights body awareness and emphasizes situation-specific and technique-specific body mechanics skills.

  • Encourages students to think critically and apply unit concepts to real life situations.

• “Body Mechanics Red Flags.”

  • Offers students guidelines to help identify unhealthy massage patterns, and strategies for improving efficiency and enjoyment during work.

• An overview of common injuries and repetitive stress.

  • Presents students with the pertinent pathology and orthopedic concepts to understand problems that plague bodyworkers. Ex.__

• Massage preparation for the bodyworker.

  • Gives students clear and easy-to-follow descriptions of strength-building exercises, stretches, and relaxation skills.

• Over 160 illustrations.

  • Shows students ergonomically sound or unsound positions, stretches, exercises, and injuries.

• Chapter objectives and summaries.

  • Highlights the major concepts presented in each section enabling students to organize their studies—and then review what they have learned.

 1. Introduction to Body Mechanics and Self-Care.


 2. Meta-Principles—Introduction to the MORE System.


 3. Principles of Physics—Moving and Static Objects, Weight and Pressure.


 4. Eastern Influences on Body Mechanics.


 5. Movement Reeducation Influences on Body Mechanics.


 6. Unpatterning.


 7. Repetitive Motion and Other Common Injuries.


 8. Taking Care of Yourself—Part I (Physiological).


 9. Taking Care of Yourself—Part II (Psychological).


10. Adaptations for Special Populations/Conditions.


11. Stress and the Bodyworker.


12. Conclusions.


13. Selected References.


Index.

Body Mechanics / Self Care (Massage Therapy)

Body Mechanics and Self-Care Manual

Marian Dixon

This book allows bodyworkers to become active players in their own health and wellness by helping them implement body mechanics and self-care techniques to avoid occupational injury, stress, and burnout. Conceptual discussions, clear line illustrations, and kinesthetic exercises bring ergonomic concepts to life, while presenting up-to-date information on important aspects of self-care, such as overuse syndromes, burnout prevention, building strength, coordination, and flexibility, social support, and stress manangement.

• Highlights body awareness and emphasizes situation-, technique-, and individual-specific body mechanics skills.
• Troubleshooting Poor Body Mechanics sections help bodyworkers quickly identify unhealthy patterns of movement to avoid injury.
• Common Injury and Repetitive Overuse Review in Chapter 7 provides a quick review of pertinent pathology and orthopedic concepts.
• Active Stretches and Relaxation Skills sections help bodyworkers prepare and renew for the demanding work of massage therapy.

View a Sample Chapter PDF:

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, contact your Pearson Higher Education representative for pricing and ordering information.

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students contact your Pearson Higher Education representative.