Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork for Autism Spectrum Disorders (eBook)

Virginia S. Cowen, PhD is a massage therapist, exercise physiologist and yoga and Pilates instructor. She is Associate Professor of Massage Therapy at Queensborough Community College, The City University of New York. Dr. Cowen also maintains a small private fitness and bodywork practice in New York City and Bergen County, New Jersey.

Acknowledgements. Preface. 1. Introduction. How to Use This Book. 2. Massage and Body Work. Defining Massage. Benefits of Massage. Sensory Processing and Massage. 3. Senses and the Nervous System. Nerves and Actions. Sense. The Special Senses. The Sense of Touch. 4. Sensations and Awareness. Tactile Sensation. Thermoreceptors and Temperature. Mechanoreceptors and Pressure. Nociceptors and Pain. Proprioception. Adaptation. 5. Touch and Communication. Communication, Sensation, and Movement. Sensory Understanding. 6. How Massage and Touch Work. 7. Anatomy-Oriented Massage. Swedish Massage. Sports Massage. Deep Tissue Massage. Orthopedic Massage. Neuromuscular Massage. Myofascial Release. Medical Massage. Craniosacral Therapy. Structural Integration. 8. Energy-Based Bodywork. Reflexology. Polarity Therapy. Traditional Energy-Based Massage. Tuina. Shiatsu. Qi Gong Massage. Thai Massage. Acupressure-Based Bodywork. Jin Shin Jyutsu. Jin Shin Do. AMMA Therapy. Non-Contact Energy Therapies. Therapeutic Touch. Healing Touch. Reiki. 9. Other Styles of Touch-Based Therapeutic Bodywork. Watsu. Feldrenkrais. Hellerwork. Trager Approach. Alexander Technique. 10. Choosing a Style of Massage. Finding a Practitioner. Laws Regulating Massage. Health Insurance Reimbursement. Contraindications and Precautions. 11. Massage for Children: Special Considerations. Preparing the Child for Massage. Information and Consent. Introducing the Child to Massage. Growth and Development. Learning Massage for Parents/Caregivers. Coordinating Massage with the Therapy Team. Tables and Figures. References. Further Reading. Index.