The Massage Connection:
Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology

Pathology A to Z –
a Handbook for Massage Therapists

by Dr. Kalyani Premkumar MBBS MD CMT
Published by VanPub Books,
Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1997

Reviewed by Mario–Paul Cassar, DO, ND

About the reviewer
     Mario–Paul Cassar DO ND is an established tutor of massage and the principal of the Massage and Bodywork Institute. He has written several books on the subject including the Handbook of Massage Therapy (Butterworth Heinemann). He can be contacted at: 93, Parkhurst Road; Horley; Surrey RH6 8EX Tel: +44 (0)1293–775467.

The Massage Connection:
Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology

     This is a very user–friendly text which is aimed specifically at students and teachers of massage therapy. Its main objective is to simplify the learning and teaching of anatomy and physiology by focussing on the more essential details of the subject matter. In the preface to the book the author expresses her view that massage practitioners are often frustrated with having to weed out irrelevant details from large heavy text books designed for the medical profession. Whilst the matter of deciding what is essential could well be debated the author does a wonderful job in presenting the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology with a clear and easy to follow layout. The first division gives an overview of each of the body systems. The anatomy is simply presented with line drawings and the physiology is very thorough and easy to read. There is also a brief discussion on the application of massage at end of each section. Particular emphasis is given to the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems which are immediately relevant to the massage therapist. Assisted learning is provided by key points and objectives at the beginning of each section plus review questions at the end. An introduction to pathology is given in a later chapter. This covers the topics of pain, inflammation, healing and neoplasia. Pathological conditions are mentioned throughout the book and reference is frequently made to Pathology A to Z – a Handbook for Massage Therapists by the same author (also reviewed with this book). In the case history chapter the author presents examples of scenarios which the massage therapist may encounter. The reader is invited, by way of questions, to test his or her knowledge of common pathological conditions and to review their approach to the treatment. All in all the book is informative as well as stimulating and could well serve as a textbook or a useful guide to the subject of anatomy and physiology.

Pathology A to Z –
a Handbook for Massage Therapists

     This book is a good companion to The Massage Connection: Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology already reviewed. The author approaches the subject of pathology in a similar manner and focuses on what she calls simple but important details relevant to the practice of massage therapy. Diseases are discussed and listed in alphabetical order. Indication is also given as to which body system a particular disorder relates to. Each section starts with the causes as well as the signs and symptoms for each condition; this is a brief description and does not go into the pathological changes at a cellular level. The author then discusses any risk factors which may be associated with the condition and points to any precautions which may be of relevance to the massage therapist. The section ends with the author’s recommendations to the treatment approach. At the end of the book there are appendices, some of more value than others. For instance there is some useful information on common drugs and their side effects whilst the resource directory for specific disorders applies only to Canada and USA. As with the other book already reviewed the extent to which a subject is taught remains a debatable matter. However, this book can serve as a good basic pathology book or, as the author herself describes it in her preface, ‘as a ready reckoner for Massage Therapists
and other Holistic Health Practitioners’. It is certainly a very useful book to dip into when reviewing pathological conditions and therefore can be very handy to have in the treatment room.

• The above two books are distributed in the UK by Osteopathic Supplies. The Massage Connection: Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology £39.95, Pathology A–Z £24.95. Please also see ad on page 45. To order your copy, please telephone 01432 263939.