Manipulation of the Spine, Thorax and Pelvis: An Osteopathic Perspective (Book with CD-ROM for Windows & Macintosh)

Rating:
Summary: Simply the best on the market of its kind!
Review: This book is as good as the current scientific literature allows it to be, and is by far the best on the market of its kind at present!

What is most refreshing about this book is that the authors have not hidden away in the world of anecdote and hearsay, all to often seen in competing texts, and have embraced an approach informed by research evidence (where available) to the teaching of a subject that has been used for many years by a wide range of health professionals. Whilst the authors make it clear that they are osteopaths and their clinical background has informed their approach, their use of scientifically sound and generic terminology and concepts allows their work to be accessible and understood by readers from any discipline.

A masterstroke by the authors is their categorisation of manipulative techniques by the target joint in which synovial fluid cavitation is desired. Never mind the opinions of authors of less informed books about the relevance of joint cavitation. The scientific literature clearly shows that cavitation is what distinguishes high velocity-low amplitude thrust (HVLAT) manipulation from other interventions grouped under the generic 'spinal manipulative therapy' banner. These authors have taken a brave step in categorising techniques in this manner, adding clarity to a subject that is all too often obfuscated by wishy-washy opinion and an avoidance of robust empirical data.

By the same token, it is nice to see that the authors have emphasised the importance of spinal segmental kinematics in relation to the various phases of HVLAT manipulation. These important concepts are then used to aid explanation of each technique throughout the text in a consistent and logical manner.

The techniques included cover all regions of the spine, and represent an ample repertoire for any manipulative practitioner. The techniques are logically organised by anatomical region, are clearly illustrated, and a clear description of each phase of the technique is given in the text. The text is then complemented by videos of each technique on the accompanying CD-ROM, which is an extremely useful learning (and teaching) aid. It is worth bearing in mind that videos of manual therapy techniques have traditionally been very expensive, but this addition really makes this book good value when compared with the alternatives on the market.

What more can you ask for?