Assessment and Treatment Methods for Manual Therapists

Effectively assessing clients and knowing how to treat them is the cornerstone of manual therapy. This practical and informative book gives clear and detailed information about these two steps.

The book provides step-by-step instructions (including Illustrations) for 19 assessment methods and 24 gentle treatment methods, some of which appear in print for the first time. These methods can be combined to give multiple options for treatment, as demonstrated in five practical examples which demonstrate how the practitioner can apply the methods to improve their clients’ wellbeing. The author also describes his six-axis model of variance among treatment methods, which will be particularly useful for practitioners who may want to develop additional new treatment methods of their own.

Jeff Burch seeks to demystify the complex and often inconsistent terminology found in many manual therapy texts, making this a practical text for readers of all levels. It will be a useful tool for osteopaths, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, structural integrators, and all bodyworkers.

Review

After 41 years of continuing education classes, this curriculum remains, by far, the most Value Added class I have taken … ever. The genius in this approach is it’s versatility; armed with this knowledge and a decent anatomy source there are almost no structures within the human body that cannot be treated both safely and effectively.–Maggie Cooper, MS, PT, Clinical Physical Therapist, Former Instructor, Medical College of Georgia

This clear and thorough approach to the complex topic of assessment is a breath of fresh air. Jeffrey Burch’s many years in clinical practice are condensed and honed into a reasoned, practical guide mixing assessment and treatment approaches that are both original and adapted from a range of manual therapy sources. Richly illustrated, this book will greatly enhance practitioner’s palpation and treatment skills. Highly recommended.–John Wilks, author of Choices in Pregnancy and Childbirth, Using the Bowen Technique and An Integrative Approach to Treating Babies and Children

This clearly written book features a wide spectrum of practical assessments and different techniques for treatment, because one size doesn’t fit all. That it also includes a healthy respect for the history, origins, and science underpinning these approaches makes it a welcome addition.–David Lesondak, author Fascia: What it is and Why it Matters, 2nd edn, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)

Jeffrey Burch has managed to present the material with impressive clarity. Reading the book is effortless and the descriptions of the different techniques are very easy to follow.–Ales Urbanczik, President of the European Guild for Structural Integration, www.rolfguild.eu

In this innovative book, the author presents a unique approach to soft-tissue assessment and treatment, focusing on palpation and physical examination rather than standard orthopedic testing. A foundational aspect of the author’s assessment method is the emphasis on ‘palpatory listening’ as a fundamental aspect of assessment. The text seamlessly combines assessment and treatment concepts together, offering a comprehensive resource for practitioners. Drawing on strategies from structural integration, osteopathy, craniosacral work, and numerous other approaches, the author challenges traditional practices and encourages practitioners to develop innovative assessment skills. Organized into detailed sections covering general and local assessment methods, as well as extended techniques, the book delves into various treatment methods that emphasize therapeutic engagement and a wide diversity of treatment strategies. This innovative text is a valuable resource for those seeking to enhance their assessment and treatment capabilities through non-traditional methods. –Whitney Lowe, LMT

I waited years for this book. I recommend it to all of my students and colleagues. Great bodyworkers know how to determine where to put their hands, what to do when they get there and when to quit. Assessment methods, treatment tools and completion signs form the foundation of what we do. Yet, hardly anyone teaches these skills in an organized, accessible fashion – until now. Great teachers are generous with their knowledge and wisdom. Elegantly simple and amazingly comprehensive, Jeffrey Burch’s book provides the means for bodyworkers to go beyond the recipe-driven rut in which many of us find ourselves. Thank you, Jeffrey. –Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, Founder and Owner of The Carol Gray Center for CST Studies