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Physiotherapy in Occupational Health
641
book reviews Physiotherapy in Occupational Health Management, prevention and health promotion in the work place by Barbara Richardson and Alfreda fastlake. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, 1994 (ISBN 0 7506 0965 6). 255 pages. f 16.99.
This book draws together the expertise and experience of 11 occupational health practitioners in addition to that of the two main authors. It highlights the importance and exceptional role t h a t physiotherapists have t o play in occupational medicine in industry a s well as in the community. All relevant topics are covered, including ergonomics, anatomy and physiology of movement a t work, occupational stress, cumulative injuries, fitness and health programmes, organisational issues and the important activities of costing practice and carrying out research. Starting with the definition that occupational health is to safeguard the health of employees, by ensuring first that the worker and the job are compatible, second that the hazards inherent in the job do not adversely affect the worker; the history and the philosophy of occupational health are outlined in the first two chapters and followed by two more chapters on the role and organisation of physiotherapy and occupational health services. This is a very good guide t o good practice and efficient service. An ergonomic approach to assessment is very well outlined, with an excellent summary of a very complex subject, growing in importance for all physiotherapists who should take good note of the reference list. Occupational stress and mental stress are shown to be important and also within the competence of physiotherapists. There again i t is a subject which needs to be more seriously considered by all practitioners, together with the new findings in neurophysiology of the autonomous nervous system. An accurate chapter on anatomy and physiology of movement a t work is also included in this book. It
is a good refresher for all, who should have become familiar with the subject during undergraduate training. It maybe t h a t those not used t o reading research papers could find some of the tables and diagrams difficult t o grasp a t first. It is worth reading it twice. The chapter on health promotion and education and the one on fitness and health programmes are packed with expert advice, allowing us t o plan, implement and follow-up such programmes - a very important part of physiotherapy. The natural history and risk factors of musculoskeletal injury at work are clearly explained by one of our famous experts in the field Professor S T Pheasant - and the importance of cumulative and repetitive strain together with a useful understanding of chronicity are well catalogued in this chapter. A typical example of what an occupational health physiotherapist has to know and do is illustrated in the moving and handling chapter. This is a subject of actuality which in some respects has put physiotherapists in an occupational health situation with all its specific requirements, and not always identified as such. In this particular chapter, all the fundamental points, skills and requirements are explained and so are the pitfalls. In prevention and treatment of upper limb disorders, another important subject of actuality, a
good explanation of the preliminaries and terminology is given, followed by the presentation of the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) method, which is an invaluable assessment tool. Also outlined are the importance of good diagnosis and the need t o keep updated with valuable methods such as the neurodynamics and muscle imbalance to treat such disorders successfully. The last two chapters on costing and research conclude with the importance for physiotherapy of justifying its use and effectiveness in a society where everything has t o be accounted for. I t has t o be constantly demonstrated that occupational health and physiotherapy have obvious benefits t o the firm, the society and also t o the patients concerned, who will maintain the work ethic and their self respect, not forgetting their income. Health promotion and fitness programmes also have to be marketed. Furthermore, research can help t o justify the above but it is also a continuous source of improvement in techniques and good practice. Physiotherapy in Occupational Health is an essential book for all physiotherapists working in the community, in private practice, outpatients and rehabilitation, as well as a reference for other health care professionals working in occupational health.
Gait Analysis An introduction
students and those more experienced. The appendix ‘Sources of further information’ is inspired, giving details of how to up-date the book via the Internet, scientific societies and journals - just the kind of information that is often so difficult to find, and it adds to the referenced articles and suggested reading. One minor criticism is that the last section ‘Applications of gait analysis’ could be longer with more recent references, but then it is an introductory text and perhaps that would constitute another book.
by Michael W Whittle. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford (2nd edn) 1996 (ISBN 0 7506 2222 9). Illus. 248 pages. f 19.99.
This excellent little paperback is very readable on a number of levels. It is unusual t o find a text that covers such a broad range of information, starting with basic science and building up to applied science. The content is divided into five sections: ‘Basic science’. ‘Normal gait’, ‘Pathologicalgait’, ‘Methodsof gait analysis’ and ‘Applications of gait analysis’. It is logically argued and the explanations are clear and would be useful (even essential) t o
Yves E Dereix MCSP MKDE PGD(Biomech)
Cath Sackley PhD MCSP
Physiotherapy, November 1996, vol82, no 11
book reviews Physiotherapy in Occupational Health Management, prevention and health promotion in the work place by Barbara Richardson and Alfreda fastlake. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, 1994 (ISBN 0 7506 0965 6). 255 pages. f 16.99.
This book draws together the expertise and experience of 11 occupational health practitioners in addition to that of the two main authors. It highlights the importance and exceptional role t h a t physiotherapists have t o play in occupational medicine in industry a s well as in the community. All relevant topics are covered, including ergonomics, anatomy and physiology of movement a t work, occupational stress, cumulative injuries, fitness and health programmes, organisational issues and the important activities of costing practice and carrying out research. Starting with the definition that occupational health is to safeguard the health of employees, by ensuring first that the worker and the job are compatible, second that the hazards inherent in the job do not adversely affect the worker; the history and the philosophy of occupational health are outlined in the first two chapters and followed by two more chapters on the role and organisation of physiotherapy and occupational health services. This is a very good guide t o good practice and efficient service. An ergonomic approach to assessment is very well outlined, with an excellent summary of a very complex subject, growing in importance for all physiotherapists who should take good note of the reference list. Occupational stress and mental stress are shown to be important and also within the competence of physiotherapists. There again i t is a subject which needs to be more seriously considered by all practitioners, together with the new findings in neurophysiology of the autonomous nervous system. An accurate chapter on anatomy and physiology of movement a t work is also included in this book. It
is a good refresher for all, who should have become familiar with the subject during undergraduate training. It maybe t h a t those not used t o reading research papers could find some of the tables and diagrams difficult t o grasp a t first. It is worth reading it twice. The chapter on health promotion and education and the one on fitness and health programmes are packed with expert advice, allowing us t o plan, implement and follow-up such programmes - a very important part of physiotherapy. The natural history and risk factors of musculoskeletal injury at work are clearly explained by one of our famous experts in the field Professor S T Pheasant - and the importance of cumulative and repetitive strain together with a useful understanding of chronicity are well catalogued in this chapter. A typical example of what an occupational health physiotherapist has to know and do is illustrated in the moving and handling chapter. This is a subject of actuality which in some respects has put physiotherapists in an occupational health situation with all its specific requirements, and not always identified as such. In this particular chapter, all the fundamental points, skills and requirements are explained and so are the pitfalls. In prevention and treatment of upper limb disorders, another important subject of actuality, a
good explanation of the preliminaries and terminology is given, followed by the presentation of the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) method, which is an invaluable assessment tool. Also outlined are the importance of good diagnosis and the need t o keep updated with valuable methods such as the neurodynamics and muscle imbalance to treat such disorders successfully. The last two chapters on costing and research conclude with the importance for physiotherapy of justifying its use and effectiveness in a society where everything has t o be accounted for. I t has t o be constantly demonstrated that occupational health and physiotherapy have obvious benefits t o the firm, the society and also t o the patients concerned, who will maintain the work ethic and their self respect, not forgetting their income. Health promotion and fitness programmes also have to be marketed. Furthermore, research can help t o justify the above but it is also a continuous source of improvement in techniques and good practice. Physiotherapy in Occupational Health is an essential book for all physiotherapists working in the community, in private practice, outpatients and rehabilitation, as well as a reference for other health care professionals working in occupational health.
Gait Analysis An introduction
students and those more experienced. The appendix ‘Sources of further information’ is inspired, giving details of how to up-date the book via the Internet, scientific societies and journals - just the kind of information that is often so difficult to find, and it adds to the referenced articles and suggested reading. One minor criticism is that the last section ‘Applications of gait analysis’ could be longer with more recent references, but then it is an introductory text and perhaps that would constitute another book.
by Michael W Whittle. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford (2nd edn) 1996 (ISBN 0 7506 2222 9). Illus. 248 pages. f 19.99.
This excellent little paperback is very readable on a number of levels. It is unusual t o find a text that covers such a broad range of information, starting with basic science and building up to applied science. The content is divided into five sections: ‘Basic science’. ‘Normal gait’, ‘Pathologicalgait’, ‘Methodsof gait analysis’ and ‘Applications of gait analysis’. It is logically argued and the explanations are clear and would be useful (even essential) t o
Yves E Dereix MCSP MKDE PGD(Biomech)
Cath Sackley PhD MCSP
Physiotherapy, November 1996, vol82, no 11