With a focus on helping clients participate in the self-management of their own treatment, this collection of effective and safe techniques and exercises provides practical information on relaxing muscles in spasm and easing associated muscular pain. Reader-friendly and accessible, it provides numerous exercises that can be used to treat existing conditions or to prevent further injury. While the exercises can be used in a management program under the direction of any therapist involved in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, they are also ideal for home use - so patients can do them without special equipment or the assistance of others. Safe and effective exercise techniques help patients relieve tense muscles and ease related pain. Numerous, colorful illustrations are included throughout the text to provide a better understanding of techniques. Clear and easy-to-follow explanations of each technique improve readability and comprehension. Expert guidance helps readers select the appropriate exercise for each situation. Content helps patients remember what the therapist wants them to do between one consultation and the next. The role of the patient in maintaining his or her own fitness is emphasized to ensure successful treatment outcomes. All of the exercises can be done at home - without special equipment or hands-on involvement of the practitioner. Plastic cards inside the back cover provide exercises and instructions for patients to use at home.

Introduction -- Instructing patients in self-help techniques -- Explaining the different forms of muscle energy technique -- Explanations and summaries of MET methods -- Muscles: types and tests -- Muscle energy techniques in action -- Explaining trigger points and their importance -- Self-mobilisation methods -- Strain and counterstrain techniques.

Includes exercise sheets in pocket inside back cover.

Includes index.

1. The different forms of muscle energy technique -- 2. Testing for shortness in muscles -- 3. Muscle energy techniques: treatment and self-treatment methods -- 4. Trigger points and their importance in pain control -- 5. Self-mobilization methods -- 6. Strength plus endurance equals stability -- 7. Balance, agility and breathing -- 8. Introducing positional release technique and strain and counterstrain.

"Maintaining Body Balance, Flexibility ad Stability presents a collection of safe and effective exercises and self-care methods, most of which can be undertaken by individuals at home, without supervision, to maintain or increase fitness, or as part of a treatment programme. Each exercise is explained using a combination of straightforward step by step instructions and clear illustrations (both photographs and line drawings). The rationale for using each exercise is also set out." "Those using these exercises as part of a treatment or training programme will commonly do so under the instruction and supervision of a therapist or a trainer, Others will want to use this book on their own, without professional guidance. The exercises have been selected with both groups in mind and the author has taken account of this varied readership in setting out the information provided for each exercise. For this reason a number of the flexibility, stability and balance exercises are accompanied by simple self-assessment tests to see whether there really is a need to do them. The self-assessment tests can also be used to measure progress." "By addressing the needs of both the therapist and the client Maintaining Body Balance, Flexibility and Stability recognizes that today many individuals want to take responsibility for their own body fitness. It also emphasizes the idea of an equal partnership between individual and trainer/therapist when exercise is being prescribed as a part of a treatment and ensuring a successful outcome. Individuals and therapists who follow the instructions and guidelines given in this book will find it provides them with an invaluable guide to the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction."--Jacket.

Print version record.

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