Positional Release Techniques / Edition 4

by Leon Chaitow ND, DO (UK)

Overview

Positional Release Techniques continues to be the go-to resource for those who want to easily learn and confidently use this manual approach to safely manage pain and dysfunction in humans (and animals). As well as a structural revision, the fourth edition now includes new illustrations and chapters with videos and an image bank on a companion website to reinforce knowledge.

At its core, the book explores the principles and modalities of the different forms of positional release techniques and their application which range from the original strain/counterstrain method to various applications in physical therapy, such as McKenzie’s exercise protocols and kinesio-taping methods that ‘unload’ tissues. These methods are traced from their historical roots up to their current practice with a showcase of emerging research and evidence.

In addition to a series of problem-solving clinical descriptions supported by photos of assessment and treatment methods, learning is further boosted by practical exercises which examine PRT methodology and the mechanics of their use.

• Emphasises safety and usefulness in both acute and chronic settings
• Comprehensive coverage of all methods of spontaneous release by positioning
• Easy to follow and extensively illustrated
• Balanced synopsis of concepts and clinical-approach models throughout

• Revised content structure
• New chapters including:
  • Strain/counterstrain research
  • Positional release and fascia
  • Balanced ligamentous tension techniques
  • Visceral positional release: the counterstrain model
• Redrawn and new artwork

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780702051111
Publisher:	Elsevier Health Sciences
Publication date:	09/22/2015
Series:	Advanced Soft Tissue Techniques
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Leon Chaitow ND DO is an internationally known and respected osteopathic and naturopathic practitioner and teacher of soft tissue manipulation methods of treatment. He is author of over 60 books, including a series on Advanced Soft Tissue Manipulation (Muscle Energy Techniques, Positional Release Techniques, Modern Neuromuscular Techniques) and also Palpation Skills; Cranial

Manipulation: Theory and Practice; Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Practitioner’s Guide to Treatment, and many more. He is editor of the peer reviewed Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, that offers a multidisciplinary perspective on physical methods of patient care. Leon Chaitow was for many years senior lecturer on the Therapeutic Bodywork degree courses which he helped to design at the School of Integrated Health, University of Westminster, London, where is he now an Honorary Fellow. He continues to teach and practice part-time in London, when not in Corfu, Greece where he focuses on his writing.

Table of Contents

Contributors Foreword Preface to the third edition Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations

1. Spontaneous release by positioning

2. Somatic dysfunction and positional release

3. Strain/counterstrain research Christopher Kevin Wong

4. Counterstrain models of positional release

5. Functional and facilitated positional release approaches, including cranial methods

6. Positional release methods in special situations

7. Positional release and fascia

8. Balanced ligamentous tension techniques Raymond J. Hruby

9. Visceral positional release: the counterstrain model Edward Goering

10. Overview of the McKenzie method Anthony J. Lisi

11. ‘Offloading’ taping to reduce pain and facilitate movement Dylan Morrissey

12. Application of positional techniques in the treatment of animals J. Brooks and †A. G. Pusey

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

The genius of Chaitow is that he puts together a synthesis of the best ideas from a panoply of practitioners – DOs, DCs, PTs, DNs and MDs – to help you help your patients via the use of proven gentle positional release techniques!

Editorial Reviews

I like the work of Leon Chaitow, he has taught me a lot about the art of manual medicine. This book is practical and rich with information you can use with your patients in everyday practice.

Amazon Reviewer

The information presented in this volume is right on target. Easy to read and understand. Information is also clarified by the DVD that accompanies the book. I highly recommend this therapy.

Amazon Reviewer

Once more, Chaitow shows us in Positional Release Techniques important ways to re-establish the normal functional states of different structures, such as muscles, by eliminating spasm, enhancing circulation and more. This is a very fine book that will be useful for many manual therapists. If you have any doubt, don't wait any longer, acquire it!

Amazon Reviewer

The British Osteopath Chaitow goes into details of the various positional release techniques such as strain/counterstrain, functional release etc. which helps clarifies all the terminology. Chaitow also has a video which is a good accompaniment to the book. Kind of wish I had this for the boards.

Amazon Reviewer

This book is intended for those allied health professionals working in the musculoskeletal area with a special interest in advanced soft tissue techniques. The distinguishing features of this latest edition of Advanced Soft Tissue Techniques, is the contribution of authors from other allied health professions. These include osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists. In reading this book there is a quote in one of the chapters that I feel epitomises the philosophy of the text and it is as follows. "No-one owns techniques or concepts and sectarian division helps no-one, least of all the patient. Perhaps the future will bring a holistic unity of concept, even if the techniques diverge somewhat" pg 240. This text goes a long way to reducing these sectarian divisions and mysteries as to other professions’ techniques and terminology.

Whilst Chaitow is the key author, the contribution of the other professions provides a good mix of techniques and philosophies. The book is comprised of 12 chapters with the first seven devoted to the positional release philosophy, techniques and treatment of conditions such as fibromyalgia syndrome and the use of trigger points. The next chapter is authored by Robert Copperstein, a chiropractor, and covers the sacro-occipital technique and use of padded wedges for diagnosis and treatment. Anthony Lisi, also a chiropractor, interestingly provides an overview of the McKenzie approach to the management of back pain in the next chapter. This is followed by chapter on the Mulligan approach presented by a range of physiotherapists led by Ed Wilson. Dylan Morrissey, a well known physiotherapist from the UK, provides an overview of unloading and proprioceptive taping techniques. The book concludes with a chapter by Julia Brooks on positional techniques as applied to animals in particular horses and dogs.

To reflect back to the quote, it is good to see a text that is providing a range of soft tissues options for treatment and also demystifying some of the terms that each profession uses. The use of jargon and terminology in professions is an on-going challenge and makes the reproduction and dissemination of techniques and the sharing of knowledge difficult. At least this text will provide the reader with a better understanding of the different mobilising and soft tissue techniques used with the osteopathic, chiropractic and physiotherapy professions.

Duncan Reid MHSc( Hons), MNZCP

Senior Lecturer, Auckland University of Technology

Positional Release Techniques contains over 600 images, photographs and illustrations. It is a clinical text that can be effective used by chiropractors, osteopaths and physical therapists.

Mr. Chaitow clearly identifies tender point locations in the body, as well as various treatment procedures and other key topics of interest to those who practice manual medicine. A supplemental DVD is also included with the purchase of the book.

With a variety of release techniques currently being used, Positional Release Techniques is an effective tool which evaluates all methods available from functional osteopathy to strain / counter strain approaches.

Not only does the text describe the manual procedures in step-by-step detail, but Chaitow also provides information on how best to integrate with other approaches which are manual, including MET. Usefulness and safety are both emphasized in both chronic and acute environments.

Barry Jenings B.A, R.M.T, C.M.F.R

From the Publisher

5 Stars! from Doody

Reviewer: Dana J Lawrence, DC, MMedEd, MA (Parker University)
Description: This book discusses the theoretical and clinical basis for those osteopathic and chiropractic techniques lumped under the term "positional release technique." Thus, there is information on strain/counterstrain technique, functional technique, facilitated positional release, and some variations on those techniques. There are many illustrations used to demonstrate specific maneuvers and these are of high quality. Substantial discussion of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome also occurs. This would make a very good teaching text.
Purpose: Although there is no foreword that specifically discusses purpose, it seems that this book is intended to discuss and compare all the different positional release procedures and provide clinical information on their use. The emphasis is on treatment considerations.
Audience: Osteopaths and chiropractors will find much to admire and use in this book. The book will also find an audience among physical therapists and massage therapists, and perhaps physical medicine specialists. Students of these disciplines will find this useful as well.
Features: Each chapter starts by providing theoretical information on each technique, so that the clinical use can later be better understood. Each chapter also has numerous illustrations to help support those procedures described in the text. The references are current and up-to-date; there are many of them in each chapter.
Assessment: This will make a good introduction to the procedures it describes. It is not authoritative in the sense of describing everything that can be known on its topic, but as a teaching text or a text to familiarize the reader with the topic, it succeeds admirably. It will also make a very useful teaching text, more so in osteopathy than in chiropractic.

Doody's Review Service