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A Garden for You
385
Osteopathic Athletic Health Care Principles and practice by W Llewellyn McKone. Chapman and Hall, London, 1996 (ISBN 0 4 12 59090 5). Illus. 394 pages. f24.99.
Despite its title, this book is not a ‘how t o do it’ text. So if you are looking for a detailed text which describes the practice of osteopathic technique in the sports medicine field, then look elsewhere. If however you are interested in some of the underlying principles of osteopathic medicine and the way that a holistic approach t o the care of.the athlete can be instituted, then there may be something of interest to you in this book. While there are references to ‘athletic health care’ throughout the text, the basic theme is of explaining some of the underlying principles of osteopathic management. There is, however, a lack of technique description and application and this, together with a paucity of detail regarding specific athletic injuries, means that this text gives little insight into the practicalities of the subject. The opening section deals with the history of osteopathy and this is covered comprehensively and touches on some of the differences between the osteopathic approach and the ‘orthodox’ medical approach. However, from the physiotherapy perspective there is one glaring inaccuracy, with reference being made to British physiotherapists who are described as being only able to ‘work under medical supervision’. The following section is entitled ‘Principles’ and i t covers a wide range of topics, some of which come under the broad title of ‘applied anatomy and physiology’. These include energy systems, body fat composition, body types, immunology and muscle structure and function. These topics are covered very briefly, often to the point of acknowledging a body of information without fully explaining its relevance to athletic health care. In this chapter considerable space is devoted to discussing the ‘osteopathic lesion’. Most of this relates to aspects of neurophysiology and the final definition of such a ‘lesion’is that it is a ‘facilitated segment of the spinal cord’. This makes for
thought-provoking reading and is not representative of a general it echoes some of the views of athletic population. certain contemporary physiotherThe final chapter deals with ‘Prinapists working in the fields of ciples of rehabilitation’. I t is very neural pathodynamics and pain short and contains a minimum of physiology. information, with no mention being Some osteopathic treatment tech- made of key factors such as speciniques are described in this section ficity of training or methods of but only briefly and with no illus- exercise progression. trations. Consequently it is difficult My first impressions of osteoto appreciate fully their relevance t o pathy, which were formulated the osteopathic examination and many years ago (and which admittreatment process. tedly were based on second-hand In the chapter on ‘The athlete experiences and encounters), were and trauma’ the ‘neuro-endocrine’ of a somewhat shadowy and mystresponse to injury is considered and erious profession. However, over following this some aspects of first recent years I have come to ackaid and taping are discussed. This nowledge that there are probably is done with little reference to more things in common between specific sports injury-related condi- osteopathy and physiotherapy (at tions. least of the manipulative variety) Not surprisingly in a book with than there are differences. I am this title, one of the main chapters happy t o say that this book has is given over t o ‘Regional trauma, confirmed this view. So if YOU read this book with the dysfunction and treatment’. Unfortunately a great deal of space is intention of obtaining a n insight devoted and consequently wasted in into a fascinating medical philodescribing muscle anatomy, eg lists sophy, you should be satisfied. If, of muscles with their attachments however, your aim is t o improve and actions. Another disappoint- your sports medicine knowledge, ment is the limited number of then you will probably be disapconditions and injuries that are pointed. dealt with. This is too small and Philip Newton MCSP
A Garden for You by Fred Walden. Disabled Living Foundation, 380-384Harrow Road, London W9 2HU, 1997 (ISBN 0 901908 69 X). Illus. 7 10 pages. f5.95including postage.
This is a very practical guide to gardening tools, equipment and design for older people and people with disabilities. In his enthusiastic foreward, Dr Stefan Buczacki confesses himself deeply impressed by the common sense and insight shown in the book
and prophesies t h a t ‘it will help thousands’. Little information is provided on plants, because this is available elsewhere. Garden design is covered, and methods are up to date - a n illustration shows layout being planned with a computer. The bulk of the book is devoted to tools and equipment for all kinds of garden activity.
Both regular and adapted items are described, with their advantages and limitations, dimensions in metric measurements, and the types of disability to which they are most suited. A useful feature is that the weight of each tool is also stated. An index, a comprehensive list of suppliers, and a few useful organisations complete this informative and well illustrated paperback.
JW
Physiotherapy,July 1997, vol83, no 7
Osteopathic Athletic Health Care Principles and practice by W Llewellyn McKone. Chapman and Hall, London, 1996 (ISBN 0 4 12 59090 5). Illus. 394 pages. f24.99.
Despite its title, this book is not a ‘how t o do it’ text. So if you are looking for a detailed text which describes the practice of osteopathic technique in the sports medicine field, then look elsewhere. If however you are interested in some of the underlying principles of osteopathic medicine and the way that a holistic approach t o the care of.the athlete can be instituted, then there may be something of interest to you in this book. While there are references to ‘athletic health care’ throughout the text, the basic theme is of explaining some of the underlying principles of osteopathic management. There is, however, a lack of technique description and application and this, together with a paucity of detail regarding specific athletic injuries, means that this text gives little insight into the practicalities of the subject. The opening section deals with the history of osteopathy and this is covered comprehensively and touches on some of the differences between the osteopathic approach and the ‘orthodox’ medical approach. However, from the physiotherapy perspective there is one glaring inaccuracy, with reference being made to British physiotherapists who are described as being only able to ‘work under medical supervision’. The following section is entitled ‘Principles’ and i t covers a wide range of topics, some of which come under the broad title of ‘applied anatomy and physiology’. These include energy systems, body fat composition, body types, immunology and muscle structure and function. These topics are covered very briefly, often to the point of acknowledging a body of information without fully explaining its relevance to athletic health care. In this chapter considerable space is devoted to discussing the ‘osteopathic lesion’. Most of this relates to aspects of neurophysiology and the final definition of such a ‘lesion’is that it is a ‘facilitated segment of the spinal cord’. This makes for
thought-provoking reading and is not representative of a general it echoes some of the views of athletic population. certain contemporary physiotherThe final chapter deals with ‘Prinapists working in the fields of ciples of rehabilitation’. I t is very neural pathodynamics and pain short and contains a minimum of physiology. information, with no mention being Some osteopathic treatment tech- made of key factors such as speciniques are described in this section ficity of training or methods of but only briefly and with no illus- exercise progression. trations. Consequently it is difficult My first impressions of osteoto appreciate fully their relevance t o pathy, which were formulated the osteopathic examination and many years ago (and which admittreatment process. tedly were based on second-hand In the chapter on ‘The athlete experiences and encounters), were and trauma’ the ‘neuro-endocrine’ of a somewhat shadowy and mystresponse to injury is considered and erious profession. However, over following this some aspects of first recent years I have come to ackaid and taping are discussed. This nowledge that there are probably is done with little reference to more things in common between specific sports injury-related condi- osteopathy and physiotherapy (at tions. least of the manipulative variety) Not surprisingly in a book with than there are differences. I am this title, one of the main chapters happy t o say that this book has is given over t o ‘Regional trauma, confirmed this view. So if YOU read this book with the dysfunction and treatment’. Unfortunately a great deal of space is intention of obtaining a n insight devoted and consequently wasted in into a fascinating medical philodescribing muscle anatomy, eg lists sophy, you should be satisfied. If, of muscles with their attachments however, your aim is t o improve and actions. Another disappoint- your sports medicine knowledge, ment is the limited number of then you will probably be disapconditions and injuries that are pointed. dealt with. This is too small and Philip Newton MCSP
A Garden for You by Fred Walden. Disabled Living Foundation, 380-384Harrow Road, London W9 2HU, 1997 (ISBN 0 901908 69 X). Illus. 7 10 pages. f5.95including postage.
This is a very practical guide to gardening tools, equipment and design for older people and people with disabilities. In his enthusiastic foreward, Dr Stefan Buczacki confesses himself deeply impressed by the common sense and insight shown in the book
and prophesies t h a t ‘it will help thousands’. Little information is provided on plants, because this is available elsewhere. Garden design is covered, and methods are up to date - a n illustration shows layout being planned with a computer. The bulk of the book is devoted to tools and equipment for all kinds of garden activity.
Both regular and adapted items are described, with their advantages and limitations, dimensions in metric measurements, and the types of disability to which they are most suited. A useful feature is that the weight of each tool is also stated. An index, a comprehensive list of suppliers, and a few useful organisations complete this informative and well illustrated paperback.
JW
Physiotherapy,July 1997, vol83, no 7