Muscle Energy Techniques: A Practical Handbook for Physical Therapists: Amazon.co.uk: John Gibbons, Amanda Williams: Books

Review

Lotus Publishing have done very well to add this book to their list of excellent tomes in the field of anatomy and bodywork. There have been other published works on the topic of Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), but this one is head and shoulders above the rest.

John Gibbons has managed to achieve that rare thing of making this book 'reader friendly', yet, not remotely in a 'dumbing down' fashion. Some other works that I have read on the topic have blinded me with science, making a very practical subject into pure academia.

John's book is direct, methodical, well laid out and beautifully illustrated. He assumes that his reader is a beginner to the subject so topics such as anatomical terminology, and planes of body motion are initially discussed. The next chapter discusses the muscles and their function in which he describes the different types of muscles, composition of muscles fibres, physiology of muscular contraction, muscle reflexes and musculoskeletal mechanics. This is all extremely well done in a way that many physical therapy practitioners would do well to read and internally digest. It never ceases to amaze me how many physiotherapists and osteopaths have not kept abreast of the new and exciting physiology that has been presented over the past decade.

Chapter Four discusses the theory of Muscle Energy Techniques. It outlines the different benefits that range from restoring normal tone to hyper tonic muscles to boosting local circulation. The physiological effects of MET is dealt with very well. I was particularly impressed with the explanations of muscles that become 'tight', 'short' or 'taut'. The relationships of the Core muscles is well documented here and will be welcome by many physiotherapists and others who practise Pilates. Sacroiliac and pelvic stability is explained in a somewhat shortened down to earth way, whereas this topic is surely worth more text -however, this is carping. Poor posture and 'Pain Spasm Cycle' is dealt with very well

There follows three 'practical' chapters describing how to assess and MET treat each muscle complex. These are on the upper body, lower body and trunk/pelvis with the hip. Some of the assessments offer alternatives to the main one. Each muscle assessment and treatment is accompanied with details of the muscle (origin, insertion, action and nerve supply) shown with super diagrams. The assessments and treatments themselves are beautifully described and accompanied with photographs of the author with his model. The final chapter deals with specific testing for muscle weakness. The author deals with four muscles in detail - the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, serratus anterior and the lower fibres of the trapezius. Each one is dealt with in a very matter of fact and down to earth way which is quite refreshing these days. I learnt quite a lot on the interactions of the gluteus maximus and the 'firing' pattern of hip joint extension.

This is an excellent practical book with superb illustrations and photographs that has been painstakingly researched and written in an attempt to help the physical therapist create a new and different dimension in the treatment of his/her patient. I would thoroughly recommend it. --Positive Health, February, 2012

Product Description

Muscle Energy Techniques is a must for any student in the field of sports therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, yoga, Pilates and functional anatomy, and will also appeal to anybody qualified in physical therapy. This practical guide, packed full of colour photographs, illustrates the theory and practice of muscle energy techniques (MET). The principles described can be incorporated very quickly and effectively into a treatment plan, and can be used to assist in the rehabilitation of anyone who is recovering from an injury. In particular, this book will provide the therapist with the underpinning knowledge of the specific anatomy of the postural muscles that can become dysfunctionally shortened. Author John Gibbons brings years of expertise - he lectures in the field of sports medicine and physical therapy and works with elite-level and Olympic athletes in a wide range of sporting disciplines. In the book he looks at the theory of MET and, once that has been understood, he takes you on a muscle energy technique 'journey'. After demonstrating functional assessment testing for the muscles of 'posture' that can become chronically tight and dysfunctional, he shows how to apply a specific MET to correct these dysfunctional muscles to restore normality. The book contains easy to follow 'postural muscle' tables that you can use to monitor the progress of your patients.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

Muscle Energy Techniques: A practical guide for therapists 3 Dec 2011

By Denise

Format:Paperback

As a Sports Therapist, Remedial Sports Massage Therapist and Holistic Therapist, I am already using these techniques as taught by the author with much success and keep a copy for reference. I wish a book with this information had been around when I was training as it it is helpful for all therapists, at all levels.

I recommend this fantastic new MET book that recaps function of muscles before talking about phasic and postural muscles and dysfunctional patterns. Clear photographs demonstrate dysfunctional muscles, and demonstrate how to assess and correctly identify the dysfunctional muscle before demonstrating how to apply the the right MET to restore function and improve Joint ROM.
Packed with information this book can be used to learn about METs, recap or as a reference book for all types of Physical Therapist.

Highly recommended!

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

John Gibbons sets the standard... 9 Mar 2012

By John E Kennett

This book offers additional eloquent descriptions of the pain cycle, muscle function and muscles system testing that frankly are essential knowledge for therapists, in which John Gibbons is an authority.

John Gibbons, has imparted his knowledge and experience in a very concise manner: written with detailed instruction, clear anatomical illustrations and nice colour pictures overlaid with visual aids complement this book's effectiveness and helps me contextualise the MET process.

The first fifty pages of insightful information are worth the book price alone and will benefit anyone working with the "physical body"; and when learnt and applied in context, will help the practitioner become an even better.

Verdict: A brilliant book for the student and essential tool for the serious physical therapist.

(The reviewer specialises in physical rehabilitation and performance coaching based in Teddington, Middlesex; and is a visiting university lecturer of anatomy, sports injuries & neuro linguistics)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

By Julian Berriman 19 Mar 2012

By Julian Berriman

Having worked as a sports masseur and osteopath for the last 15 years it is refreshing to come across a text which provides such a clear and logical presentation of the theory and application of METs. The author has presented quite a technical subject with the clarity that only comes from truly understanding the subject area. Clearly, this level of understanding can only be gained through years of thoughtful practice. The author also exhibits an excellent appreciation of how we learn. This is reflected in the balanced use of text and imagery which together provides the user with an invaluable aid to effective practive. A must have for the established and aspiring soft tissue specialist alike!