What can I learn from books?

Like playing a musical instrument, sports massage cannot really be learned from books, but a better understanding of how the body works may help the client and certainly is essential for the therapist.

The books recommended on this page are the jewels in my bookshelf that have helped me in my training, the early years of my practice and to which I even regularly return today to brush up on some topics or check new treatments against established practice.

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Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy

cover of Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy

Mel Cash: Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy.

A comprehensive book that includes chapters on the benefits of sports massage, contraindications, tips on good working posture. The main part of the book consists of extensive coverage of all aspects of treating the various muscle groups with detailed descriptions of techniques and tips on avoiding typical pitfalls as well as numerous background information, which put individual issues into context.

The Anatomy of Stretching

cover of The Anatomy of Stretching

Brad Walker: The Anatomy of Stretching

This is very probably the best stretching book I have ever come across. It's very clear anatomical illustrations make it crystal clear which muscle you are meant to stretch. Furthermore, each stretch comes with indications of how people commonly get that particular stretch wrong, which is very helpful.

While you could use this book on its own, it is a perfect complement to a one-to-one stretching workshop with a stretching specialist. Our sports and dance therapist Juwanita Jacobs offer such workshops (60 minutes) at the clinic. Please contact her at juwanita@mittelmaier.co.uk to arrange an appointment.

Muscles for amateurs and pros

cover of The Muscle Book

Paul Blakey: The Muscle Book.

A beautiful little book that describes many major muscles and muscle groups without unnecessary jargon. Its illustrations are clear and simple and it also features a paragraph for each muscle describing the "body language of weakness", i.e. typical problems and their origins.

A muscle atlas

cover of The Pocket Atlas of the Moving Body

Mel Cash: The Pocket Atlas of the Moving Body.

This perfectly structured muscle atlas is much more comprehensive than Blakey's book and still very accessible. The illustrations are very clear and detailed. The tables list all the origins, insertions and main actions of the muscles. An indispensable tool for the professional and at this price an absolute bargain.