OM massage/bodywork students, professionals and teachers
having used the old standard (TGB) to teach kinesiology, anatomy, pathology, deep tissue massage and neuromuscular therapy for years at multiple massage schools, i have been impatiently waiting for an affordable alternative. while this book lacks kinesiology fundamentals (planes, movements, etc.), it is vastly superior for learning muscles and how to specifically palapate muscles and bony landmarks. moreover, it includes theory (based on current research) on trigger points, trigger point locations, the pain referral patterns, initiating and perpetuating factors and a variety of other insightful comments on specific muscle trigger points.
this book does not replace Travell's advanced volumes, but it is much more approachable.
for the study of muscles and movement, it's incomplete, but if you can get by without the kinesiology fundamentals (as mentioned above), it does replace the old standard text (TGB) as it includes thousands of full color (not dull monochromatic) enhanced photographs and drawings, it is thoughtfully organized (not wandering hither thither and patched with blurbs here and there), includes appropriate (not misleading) palpation technique and includes accurate, current references (not using old, arcane, misleading or inaccurate terms). addtionally, muscolino includes stretches for each specific muscle, information on body mechanics, draping, and massage techniques. the Elsevier website provides further highly valuable resources for both students and teachers. finally, there are two DVDs with four hours of demonstrations.
the book can be bundled with flashcards The Muscle and Bone Palpation Manual with Trigger Points, Referral Patterns and Stretching - Text and Flashcards Package. muscolino also has a muscle and bone coloring book Musculoskeletal Anatomy Coloring Book.
the only improvement (other than providing a chapter on kinesology fundamentals) might be a spiral binding as the student/licensed practitioner will constantly be referring to it and wanting to keep it open while practicing.
thank you Dr. Muscolino (and the star-studded lineup on contributors)!
OM tat sat.