The most significant cause of early retirement from the massage profession is the cumulative strain on the body developed in the course of performing the work. The explosive growth of this occupation in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of work-induced problems. Practitioners can easily strain their hands, particularly their thumbs, fingers, and wrists, as well as their shoulders and backs. Written by noted teacher and trainer Darien Pritchard, this useful book explains those aspects of massage that can lead to these problems and shows how to apply pressure in ways that avoid them. The focus is on how to use the body safely and effectively. The author explores the benefits of involving the whole body to generate the power and movement that support the hands, saving the hands by using them skillfully, and conserving them by using other body areas such as the forearms and elbow whenever possible. Featuring 2,000 illustrations, Dynamic Bodyuse for Effective, Strain-Free Massage is essential reading for anyone involved in massage, whether a student, a professional massage practitioner or teacher, sports massage therapist, or aromatherapist.

Do you want to feel as amazing as you make your clients feel? Then stop being so nice—and build the massage business you dreamed of when you first started. Find clients who make you feel comfortable, grow your business, and reclaim your time—without being a pushy, arrogant salesperson. This book will show you: Why low prices don’t do you or your clients any favours—and how to raise them without a fuss (because raising your prices doesn’t need to be a heart-thumping, stomach-churning experience) How to market your business without the ick factor How to build a full appointment book and waiting list on your terms A little confidence is all you need to ignore your competitors and forge your own path Why it’s crucial to ditch the guilt and acknowledge your self-worth Kathy Scott has been a massage therapist for 12 years and runs her own corporate massage business. The knowledge she’s gained has allowed her to specialise and create work for other therapists—and now she’s sharing her story with you. She’s been where you are, and understands the challenges you’re facing. If you’re ready to create a business that fills you with delight and brings in only the kind of clients you love to touch, pick up this book and start reading.

For Bowen technique therapists and any bodywork practitioners interested in using a gentle, nonintrusive pain-relief therapy, this book draws on myofascia and connective tissue dissection to explain how the Bowen technique initiates a body-wide signaling mechanism to start the process of healing and restore normal function. With more than 100 full-color images, this useful guide helps manual therapists understand how the Bowen technique can help people with back pain, neck pain, headaches, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory problems, hay fever, high blood pressure, kidney problems, arthritis, and knee pain. The Bowen technique, named after its originator Tom Bowen, has been growing in popularity since it was first taught in the 1980s. Known for its gentle rolling motions and intentional pauses between moves, the technique has been shown to bring extraordinary pain management results with very little pressure on the part of the therapist. Yet until now, little has been known of the actual workings of this technique. Tom Bowen himself called it simply a "gift from God" and treated thousands of people without trying to understand the processes that drove his results. This book fills in the gap in scientific understanding by explaining in anatomical terms what happens during a Bowen technique treatment. Author Julian Baker shows how traditional anatomy fails to fully explain the complex biomechanical relationships that make up human movement. Each move of the technique is analyzed in depth, with an emphasis on the role of fascia and connective tissue.

"A manual teaching the techniques of neuromuscular therapy (NMT), and how to combine it with medical exercise interventions, for the treatment of soft tissue pain and injury"--Provided by publisher.

Featuring more than 250 photographs and 50 anatomical drawings,Deep Tissue Massageis the standard guide to the essentials of touch, biomechanics, and positioning options for a multitude of strategies to treat all major conditions encountered in a bodywork practice. The book is divided into three sections. "Fundamentals" covers basic skills of palpation, explaining the deeper layers of the body and presenting detailed instruction on working with these layers to release tension. This section gives clear information on the proper use of knuckles, fist, forearms, and elbows in preventing injury to the therapist. "Strategies" offers more precise protocols and treatment plans for the entire body with emphasis on client positioning options to stretch muscles rather than just kneading tissues. "Caveats" details areas in which the practitioner needs to exercise caution. Deep Tissue Massagepresents a wealth of information in a way the therapist can immediately utilize. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and includes a preface to the new edition, a foreword, an index, a Suggested Reading list, and extended sections on integrating deep-tissue massage into bodywork practice and the psychology of treating injuries.

Based on Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal's wildly popular course "The Science of Willpower," The Willpower Instinct is the first book to explain the science of self-control and how it can be harnessed to improve our health, happiness, and productivity. Informed by the latest research and combining cutting-edge insights from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine, The Willpower Instinct explains exactly what willpower is, how it works, and why it matters. For example, readers will learn: • Willpower is a mind-body response, not a virtue. It is a biological function that can be improved through mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep. • Willpower is not an unlimited resource. Too much self-control can actually be bad for your health. • Temptation and stress hijack the brain's systems of self-control, but the brain can be trained for greater willpower • Guilt and shame over your setbacks lead to giving in again, but self-forgiveness and self-compassion boost self-control. • Giving up control is sometimes the only way to gain self-control. • Willpower failures are contagious—you can catch the desire to overspend or overeat from your friends­­—but you can also catch self-control from the right role models. In the groundbreaking tradition of Getting Things Done, The Willpower Instinct combines life-changing prescriptive advice and complementary exercises to help readers with goals ranging from losing weight to more patient parenting, less procrastination, better health, and greater productivity at work.