The Book Of Massage: The Complete Stepbystep Guide To Eastern And Western Technique

The Book Of Massage: The Complete Stepbystep Guide To Eastern And Western Technique
by Anthony Porter, Carola Beresford Cooke, Lucinda Lidell

The Book Of Massage: The Complete Stepbystep Guide To Eastern And Western Technique
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Book Summary Information

Author: Anthony Porter, Carola Beresford Cooke, Lucinda Lidell
Contributor: Sara Thomas
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-01-02
ISBN: 0743203909
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Touchstone
Accessories:

Book Reviews of The Book Of Massage: The Complete Stepbystep Guide To Eastern And Western Technique

Book Review: Fantastic resource, albeit risque...
Summary: 5 Stars

As a fibromyalgia patient, I've found massage to be a great help in managing my disease. When my husband indicated he'd like to learn how to help me through painful moments, I began looking for a book to help teach him the basics. The combination of clear instructions, multiple suggestions for customizing massage experiences, and fantastic illustrations made this a winner (and I checked out about twenty or so different books). For someone who started with movements similar to what you'd use to pet a cat, the techniques absorbed from this book greatly increased not only his skills but his creativity in working knots out of sore muscles. I also found myself suddenly figuring out exactly how mysterious moves (from the client's perspective) were pulled off, such as using forearms or elbows instead of just palms or fingers. A few combinations of area-specific instructions intrigued me, and once suggested to a massage therapist, ended up being just the ticket for sore shoulders.

Althought you can learn incredible things from this book, it's not a substitute for actual training. Even my middle-ground position as having learned from several talented massage therapists and being able to replicate their results on friends and family members do not make me nearly as adept or knowledgeable as the professionals. It's a resource and perhaps a "Layman's Guide," but not nearly enough to open a business on or to claim expert status. It's not at all comprehensive of all the techniques out there, but it's a great place to start.

Although some of the illustrations are not youth-appropriate (I would not give this to a teen curious about massage), they are still handled tastefully and within context most of the time, especially considering when this was published. While my experiences in massage have always included being covered or semi-clothed, I can understand some of the rationale behind the body-baring photographs. Another note is that this book also features aromatherapy and cultural ideas of healing/massage, especially Eastern techniques. The authors don't seem to claim that these beliefs are absolute/completely necessary for massage, they do take them seriously and present them as concepts to consider and potentially include in a massage experience (personally, I don't buy into them).

Overall, if you're wanting a clear, concise guide that goes in-depth on massage techniques without being too complicated for beginners, I highly suggest getting this book.

Summary of The Book Of Massage: The Complete Stepbystep Guide To Eastern And Western Technique

Experience the Healing Power of Massage

With more than 650,000 copies sold, The Book of Massage is the classic guide to the relaxing and healing skills of the hands. Featuring both Eastern and Western methods, it presents step-by-step, beautifully illustrated instructions on everything from traditional massage to shiatsu and reflexology. The Book of Massage offers easy-to-follow techniques for giving the perfect massage, including advice on creating the right setting and suggestions for using aromatic oils and lotions. In the comfort of your own home, you can

  • Soothe away stress and tension

  • Develop your body's unique healing powers

  • Banish headaches and back pain

  • Share the language of touch

  • Experience optimum health and vitality

Now revised and updated with fresh color photos and drawings throughout, The Book of Massage is a simple and comprehensive handbook that reveals how you can experience the myriad benefits of giving and receiving a soothing massage.


With more than 650,000 copies sold, massage therapist Lucinda Lidell's Book of Massage has been updated with new photos and instructional drawings. Not for the prudish, as the subjects in most of the photos are completely in the buff, the book presents an intense, information-packed, step-by-step guide to traditional massage, shiatsu, and reflexology.

No matter which method you choose to focus on (you're advised to choose one at a time), Lidell is thorough in her explanations of the strokes and techniques necessary to give relaxing, therapeutic massage in the privacy of your own home. Detailed drawings, diagrams, and photographs help to further demonstrate how to address each individual body part.

Divided into distinct chapters for each of the three methods, The Book of Massage also includes several sections that Lidell stresses are fundamental to all types of massage. The first is "Beginning," with information such as creating the right atmosphere (a warm room and soft lighting), applying oil, and finding a comfortable position. Additionally, Lidell suggests that everyone should review sections on the human touch and anatomy, both of which oddly come at the end of the book.

As thorough as The Book of Massage may be, do not expect to walk away from it an expert. As with any skill worth learning, giving good massage takes time, study, and practice, practice, practice. --Bree Altman

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