Touch Therapy
Author: Tiffany M Field
This book examines the research base of touch in massage therapy while linking the implications of these results to massage practice. It was written by the director of the world-renowned Touch Research Institute. Each chapter gives a clear and authoritative review of what is known about the effects of touch in a variety of clinical conditions. It specifically addresses the areas of stress reduction, pain reduction, growth and development, immune functions, and auto-immune disorders.
Dana J. Lawrence
In this text the author looks at the research foundation for the use of massage and touch therapy in a variety of clinical situations. In each chapter she presents a thorough review of research papers covering a number of different clinical conditions and situations. In addition, she presents clinical approaches to the use of massage in those clinical situations. The purpose is to examine the research basis of touch or massage therapy, and to describe the practical results in practice. This is directed at anyone who utilizes bodywork in practice, including massage therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, physical therapists, physiatrists, and other CAM practitioners, as well as students in each of those disciplines. The text is generally organized around six chapters in which pain reduction, enhancing growth and attentiveness, alleviating depression and anxiety, and autoimmune and immune disorders are covered. In each chapter information is provided on possible underlying mechanisms for the benefits conferred by massage therapy. The author also looks at important research papers supporting the use of touch therapy in those specific clinical settings. The chapters are comprehensively referenced, with quite up-to-date references. The text also contains a number of appendixes, most of which are reprinted assessment tools that can be used in touch therapy practice. Included here are ""feel good"" thermometers, headache history inventory, happy face scale, life event questionnaire, and so on. I found this book to be a fascinating read -- the author did a rather good job covering the conditions presented. Her referencing is especially strong, especially the contemporary citations. Thesehelp provide a foundation for the therapeutic approaches discussed in each chapter. I cannot think of a text covering similar material that does as adequate a job. This is a worthy library addition for anyone practicing bodywork on a regular basis.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer: Dana J Lawrence, DC (Palmer College of Chiropractic)
Description: In this text the author looks at the research foundation for the use of massage and touch therapy in a variety of clinical situations. In each chapter she presents a thorough review of research papers covering a number of different clinical conditions and situations. In addition, she presents clinical approaches to the use of massage in those clinical situations.
Purpose: The purpose is to examine the research basis of touch or massage therapy, and to describe the practical results in practice.
Audience: This is directed at anyone who utilizes bodywork in practice, including massage therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, physical therapists, physiatrists, and other CAM practitioners, as well as students in each of those disciplines.
Features: The text is generally organized around six chapters in which pain reduction, enhancing growth and attentiveness, alleviating depression and anxiety, and autoimmune and immune disorders are covered. In each chapter information is provided on possible underlying mechanisms for the benefits conferred by massage therapy. The author also looks at important research papers supporting the use of touch therapy in those specific clinical settings. The chapters are comprehensively referenced, with quite up-to-date references. The text also contains a number of appendixes, most of which are reprinted assessment tools that can be used in touch therapy practice. Included here are "feel good" thermometers, headache history inventory, happy face scale, life event questionnaire, and so on.
Assessment: I found this book to be a fascinating read:the author did a rather good job covering the conditions presented. Her referencing is especially strong, especially the contemporary citations. These help provide a foundation for the therapeutic approaches discussed in each chapter. I cannot think of a text covering similar material that does as adequate a job. This is a worthy library addition for anyone practicing bodywork on a regular basis.
Rating
4 Stars! from Doody
Interesting book: I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What It Was or On The Wealth of Nations
The Menopause Cookbook: How to Eat Now and for the Rest of Your Life
Author: Hope Ricciotti
The perfect team--a gynecologist and her chef husband--have put together a book full of great advice and over 125 wonderful recipes to add estrogen naturally to your diet. As a gynecologist, Dr. Hope Ricciotti has been counseling women about the best way to stay healthy and lower the impact of menopausal side effects for years. She has found that some women either cannot tolerate hormone replacement therapy or do not feel it is right for them. What she suggests is adding phytoestrogens--natural estrogens found in food--as well as calcium and antioxidants to one's diet for all the benefits of estrogen without any of its worries. Even women on hormone replacement therapy will find that these delicious recipes will add to their health. Vincent Connelly, a trained chef, worked with Dr. Ricciotti to give each recipe the best in nutrition and in taste. It would be hard to resist pan-seared salmon with goat cheese, leeks, and basil or gratin of potatoes, chard, and roasted peppers. Even even the busiest women can make many of the recipes. Besides main entrees, sections on breakfast foods, sandwich spreads, pastas, desserts, and even smoothies are included.
Publishers Weekly
Ricciotti, a gynecologist, has teamed up again with her husband, chef Vincent Connelly (The Pregnancy Cookbook), this time on a nutritional guidebook for menopause. Ricciotti explains hormonal changes in layperson's terms and includes crucial information, such as the relationship between heart disease and decreased estrogen, and recommends "a low-fat, high-fiber, antioxidant-rich diet, and regular exercise." Particularly thorough are the chapter on osteoporosis; lists of calcium, phytoestrogen and antioxidant food sources; a pragmatic shopping list; and workable suggestions for foods to eat when going out or eating on the run. However, many of the recipes include soy products (soy is a source of phytoestrogens), be it tofu (used as a texturizing agent for sauces such as Spaghetti with a Tomato-Tofu Sauce), soy mozzarella (Pizza), soy nuts (Broccoli with Oyster Sauce and Soy Nuts) or firm tofu (Salad of Grilled Tomatoes, Tofu, Portobello Mushrooms and Radicchio). For the already converted, this will be a boon, but for many women, it may be difficult to accept soy as the primary ingredient. The original ideas in the section on Spreads and Sandwiches are appealing (White Bean, Dried Tomato, and Balsamic Spread and Arugula and Cilantro Pesto). Apple and Rhubarb Crisp (rhubarb is high in calcium), a simple and delightfully healthy recipe, is an example of the book's philosophy at its best. (Jan.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
What People Are Saying
Susan M.D. Love
Susan Love, M.D., author of Susan Love's Hormone Book and Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book
This is a wonderful guide to cooking with phytoestrogens. Although [the book is] titled The Menopause Cookbook, the whole family will enjoy these recipes which answer the oft-repeated question: How do you cook with tofu and flaxseed?
