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Discover the power of massage-from the inside out-in this unique reference book featuring seven styles of massage and enlightening anatomical illustrations. Massages energize, revitalize, and renew both body and spirit, and have even been proven to restore and promote good health. But to practice massage safely, you need to understand how the body works. Everyone from new students to experienced massage therapists can benefit from this book dedicated to the practice of massage. The world of massage at your fingertips! This comprehensive book explores seven of the world's best-known styles of massage: Swedish, Fusion, Shiatsu, Thai, River Stone, Reflexology, and Reiki. Massage Anatomy uniquely combines an understanding of the human body with different massage styles, making it an excellent resource for practitioners of all levels. Detailed anatomical illustrations and approachable text demonstrate body planes, muscle groups, and crucial areas like the nervous and lymphatic systems. There is also a helpful reference section on massage terminology and a glossary of muscles. Discover the ancient secrets practiced by Native Americans and Egyptians using warm stones that are applied to the body. Feel the "spirit life force" of reiki, a centuries-old Japanese technique used to promote peace and well-being. And find out how to combine Swedish, deep-tissue, and sports massage techniques for a fabulous massage fusion. Next to strong hands, this comprehensive guidebook is a massage therapist's most important tool, an invaluable resource for new students and experienced therapists alike.

In this in-depth exercise guide, a leading chiropractor demonstrates how to help alleviate back pain, prevent injury, and develop a stronger back. Healthy Back Anatomy features a range of exercises that help strengthen and stabilize the muscles of your back. Each move includes step-by-step instructions, plus full-color photos and anatomical illustrations that demonstrate how your muscles work. You'll see what muscles you're targeting and learn how to avoid injuring them. Dr. Philip Striano also provides modifications to increase the challenge as your back strength develops. His complete program includes stretches, balance and posture exercises, and lower back, neck, shoulder, and core exercises, as well as warm-ups and cool-downs.

Get healthy without getting hurt with this guide to warming up, getting limber, and preventing injury before you exercise. It doesn't matter if you're a fitness novice or an elite athlete. You should be starting each workout exactly the same way, with a stretching regimen designed to warm up your body and help you achieve a new personal best each time. Without the expertise of a professional trainer and without an expert's understanding of muscle anatomy, it can be hard to know what exercises are best. In Anatomy of Stretching, renowned trainer Craig Ramsay shows every exerciser how to get limber and prevent injury. In Anatomy of Stretching, you'll learn when and how to do a tricep stretch and a shoulder stretch, when to avoid toe touches and hamstring stretches, and why it's important to keep your neck relaxed during a hip flexor stretch. While taking you through each movement step by step, Anatomy of Stretching also goes beneath the skin to allow you to see just which muscles you are working during each stretch. Throughout the book, more than 300 full-color images show every pose and every muscle in detail. Get limber-and get the most out of your workout-with Anatomy of Stretching!