Positive Health Online

As an osteopathic student in the 1980s, my introduction to the anatomy of the human body was via such weighty tomes as Grey's Anatomy and Totora and Grabowski.

There is so much to learn in anatomy and so much to remember. I know as a teacher that learning by rote is the hardest thing to do. Publishers and authors have learnt that Providing context, along with good diagrams aids the learning process.

The students that I currently teach on a postgraduate course have had access to better quality anatomy and physiology materials to support their learning.

It is with great interest that I opened the Trail Guide to the body 7th edition and was immediately attracted by a large colourful picture of the muscles of the shoulder with some cartoon like characters holding on to what bits of anatomy they could reach. Also in the picture are the hands of an operator palpating the anatomical features.

This book is aimed for body workers of all kinds and is suitable for all levels of anatomical learning. The first part of the book entitled navigating the body looks at the basics of palpation. In addition, it explains how different structures within the body have their own unique feel. It also gives an overview on the body as a whole, body movements and body systems. You are taught to find bony landmarks first — the bumps and ridges you can feel under your own skin, like the top of your hip bone or the bony point of your elbow. Once you know how to locate those landmarks, finding the muscle that attaches there, is much easier.

The diagrams are the other big strength. They're clean, uncluttered, and drawn from angles that match what you'd see or feel on a real body. Each muscle gets its own clear picture showing where it starts, where it ends, and what it does.

The writing itself stays plain and practical throughout – short sentences, everyday language, step-by-step instructions for palpating each muscle. It doesn't assume you already know anatomy; it builds you up from "find this bone" to "now find this muscle" to "here's what it does," which makes it genuinely usable for beginners, not just a reference for people who already know the material.

If you're a massage therapist, physical therapy student, athletic trainer, or just someone who wants to understand what's going on under their own skin, this is a great book to get you started.

The Trail Guide to the Body should be a staple of any bodyworker bookshelf. It provides a comprehensive learning and reference resource that caters for all learning styles. Each section covers in full detail a discrete part the body and the palpation guidance - from skin and fascia, bones, muscles, to ligaments and other structures – is invaluable.

The book is at an appropriate level for professionals, whilst accessible to a wide audience. The language is descriptive and informative but remains simple and concise.

I particularly liked that the online resources complement and add to the book rather than simply duplicate the information already provided. 

To support the learning once a copy is purchased you can access palpation videos and other resources via a QR code. Which, in this day and age is essential and very helpful.

About the Reviewer

Jonathan Lawrence BA DO Cert Ed, following 4 years teaching Environmental Science, trained at the European School of Osteopathy graduating in 1985. Jonathan has been practising Osteopathy in private practice for 25 years, treating patients of all ages – from babies to the elderly. Having lectured to audiences ranging from small technique classes to presenting at the 2008 Advancing Osteopathy Conference, he established Turning Point Training in order to bring high quality and affordable professional courses in Craniosacral and positional release techniques to practitioners trained in conventional or complementary medicine. He may be contacted on Tel: 01769 579004; info@turningpointtraining.org   www.turningpointtraining.org  https://www.positivehealth.com/author/jonathan-lawrence/jonathan-lawrence

Further Information

Available to Purchase from https://mngbookshop.co.uk/9780998785073/trail-guide-to-the-body/     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trail-Guide-Body-Hands-Locating/dp/0998785075/ref=asc_df_0998785075