Tappan's Handbook of Massage Therapy

Patricia J. Benjamin, PhD, LMT is a massage therapist, educator, author, and appreciative massage and bodywork client. She has a deep respect for massage therapy as an art, science, and wellness practice. She has studied its traditions and watches for trends in the massage therapy profession today. Building on her earlier background in sports and fitness, Dr. Benjamin graduated from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy in the mid-1980s. She was drawn to massage as an active, hands-on therapy whose foundations dovetail with her former career in health, physical education, and recreation. After having a full-time massage therapy practice, she gravitated back to education, first as an association education director, and then as a teacher and massage school administrator. Over the years, she has served on various committees involved in the development of ethical standards and national certification for massage therapists, and the accreditation of massage programs. Dr. Benjamin has taught at the high school and college levels, and enjoys developing curriculum materials for the career-oriented courses offered in vocational programs. She holds master’s and advanced study degrees in education with a specialty in curriculum development from Northern Illinois University. A doctorate in recreation and leisure studies from Purdue University has deepened her appreciation of the many facets of wellness and grounded her in a variety of research methods. Frances M. Tappan approached Patricia Benjamin to join her as coauthor of Healing Massage Techniques for its 3rd edition (1998). After Dr. Tappan’s passing in 1999, Dr. Benjamin continued to update and improve Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques (2010), which remains a standard in the field. Dr. Benjamin authored Professional Foundations for Massage Therapists (2009) to address related professional competencies and combined that information with basic massage skills and applications in Pearson’s Massage Therapy: Blending Art with Science (2011). This latest edition of Tappan’s Handbook combines all three of its predecessors for the most comprehensive and up-to-date presentation of the theory and practice of massage therapy available today. Tappan’s Handbook of Massage Therapy: Blending Art and Science, sixth edition, remains true to Frances Tappan’s vision of healing massage as holistic manual therapy that contributes to the well-being of humanity in so many ways. In her leisure time, Dr. Benjamin enjoys reading historical fiction and nonfiction, gardening, tai chi and qi gong, and table tennis. Her outdoor pursuits include hiking, canoeing, and birding. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.

PART 1 FOUNDATIONS FOR MASSAGE THERAPY PROFESSIONALS



Massage Therapy Profession
History of Massage as a Vocation
Professional and Personal Development
Physical Skills, Fitness, and Self-Care for the Massage Therapist
Ethics and the Therapeutic Relationship

PART 2 FOUNDATIONS OF PLANNING AND GIVING MASSAGE SESSIONS



Effects of Massage and Research Literacy

Clinical Applications of Massage
Endangerment Sites, Contraindications, Cautions
Medical Terminology, Goal-Oriented Planning, Documentation
Hygiene, Equipment, Environment
Body Mechanics, Table Skills, General Guidelines

PART 3 TAPPAN’S GUIDE TO HEALING MASSAGE



Swedish Massage Techniques
Joint Movements

Full-Body Swedish Massage
Regional Massage Applications–Upper Body
Regional Massage Applications–Lower Body
Hydrotherapy and Temperature Therapies

PART 4 TAPPAN’S GUIDE TO SPECIAL APPLICATIONS



Special Populations and Adaptations
Spa Treatments
Seated Massage

PART 5 TAPPAN’S GUIDE TO CONTEMPORARY MASSAGE AND BODYWORK



Myofascial Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Lymphatic Facilitation
Reflexology
Energy-Based Bodywork

PART 6 FOUNDATIONS OF CAREER AND PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT



Career Plans and Employment
Private Practice and Finances
Business Ethics

APPENDICES
Appendix A Organizations and Publications
Appendix B Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Massage Therapists
Appendix C Goal-Oriented Planning
Appendix D Performance Evaluation Forms
Appendix E Intake, Health History, Note Forms
Appendix F References and Additional Resources

INTERACTIVE GLOSSARY
INDEX