- Email: [email protected]
Be In Balance: A Simple Introduction to the Alexander Technique
210
Book reviews / Radiography 21 (2015) 209e211
Stephen Boynes University of Bradford, UK E-mail address: [email protected].
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.03.009
Be In Balance: A Simple Introduction to the Alexander Technique. Angela Bradshaw ISBN: 978-1907798344 Paperback £14.99, 145 pages. The presentation of this book is attractive and encourages the reader to open the cover and start reading. The content is organised into small bite-sized paragraphs and includes plenty of amusing drawings relating to the text. The book is intended as a simple introduction to the Alexander Technique and, given the complexity of the subject, it would not be possible for a reader to achieve much more than this from a book. It does succeed in providing individuals with an awareness of potential bad habits they may have established, and promotes some important principles associated with ensuring good health. The title Be in Balance is the central message of the book, and the reader is encouraged to maintain good health by balancing physical activity, sleep, rest, diet and ‘mindful nurturing’. Some simple tips are provided to help manage stress, such as remembering to breathe! The book proved to be easy to read, however, in parts the lighthearted style of the book and simplicity of the delivery, tended to appear rather patronising. The numerous positive claims made about the Alexander Technique also began to sound more like an American self-help book. Whilst the author is clearly passionate about the subject, there was little in the content of the book to substantiate the broad range of benefits that were claimed to ensue from the Technique. Individuals reading the book may take the opportunity to rethink their approach to maintaining a healthy body, and some may have their appetite whetted to learn more about the Alexander Technique from an experienced teacher by booking lessons. Those interested in a more holistic approach to maintaining health, or those experiencing musculoskeletal problems, may well find the content of this book useful in helping them to establish new patterns of behaviour. Vivien Gibbs Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, United Kingdom E-mail address: [email protected].
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.03.010
Clinical Guide to Sonography: Exercises for Critical Thinking, C. Henningsen, K. Kuntz, D. Youngs (Eds.), 2nd ed.. Elsevier (2014). p. 503 Paperback - £65.45, ISBN: 978-0-323-09164-0 This book covers a wide range of ultrasound examinations looking at the clinical question first. It is written for sonographers and student sonographers by two academics and a sonographer. The
book is divided into sections, starting with abdominal examinations and the common clinical question of Right Upper Quadrant Pain, which it then explores with possible diagnoses and ultrasound images of the pathology. Each chapter deals with a different clinical finding and at the end of each chapter there are quizzes to test the reader's knowledge. The other sections cover Gynaecology, Obstetric, Superficial Structures and Miscellaneous areas, which includes Neonatal Hips and Heads and some vascular areas, which departments may find useful; there is no section on MSK (Musculo-skeletal) Ultrasound. The colour images appear at the front of the book and I would have preferred these to have been placed within the text at the appropriate point. The references used within the book are mostly current. Equipment and technique are not covered in this book. Because this book is written by American authors some terminology will be incorrect in the UK setting, so caution should be demonstrated by the student sonographer when using this book as a reference, especially in the Obstetric Section. This is especially true within the early pregnancy setting where the wording used is different from the RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) recommended terminology. However, as long as the reader is aware of this, most ultrasound departments will find this a useful resource to have on their shelves and use for CPD. Allison Harris City University London, UK E-mail address: [email protected].
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.03.011
Chapman & Nakielny's Guide to Radiological Procedures, Nick Watson, editor, Saunders Elsevier, 428 pp, Price £32:99 Having frequently used the first edition of this book during my student radiography days, it was with some nostalgia that I reviewed the sixth edition. The purpose of this book has always been to provide a guide to radiology trainees & diagnostic radiography students; but with the developing role of interventional radiology the content is also of interest to nurses working within or alongside imaging departments. The latest edition has a wipeable cover, which points towards its purpose as a frontline clinical support tool for trainees rather than the ‘fountain of all knowledge.’ The patient preparation sections are informative and the bullet point layout aids memorisation of the steps. However I felt that sadly a chance had been missed to briefly underline the importance of working with the service user and listening to their opinions and/or fears. The value of multidisciplinary team working could also have been highlighted along with examples of the ‘blurring of roles of Allied Health Professionals' within radiology. The format of the guide is easy to navigate as it is sectioned into body systems, such as the gastro-intestinal tract and the urinary tract. The print format is clear, even for those who should wear their glasses now. The last three chapters are a worthwhile refinement as they cover sedation and monitoring, medical emergencies and patient consent. All of which are key current interventional radiological subjects. I assume images of procedures were excluded due to prohibitive costs and a need to keep the guide size compact. However students
Book reviews / Radiography 21 (2015) 209e211
Stephen Boynes University of Bradford, UK E-mail address: [email protected].
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.03.009
Be In Balance: A Simple Introduction to the Alexander Technique. Angela Bradshaw ISBN: 978-1907798344 Paperback £14.99, 145 pages. The presentation of this book is attractive and encourages the reader to open the cover and start reading. The content is organised into small bite-sized paragraphs and includes plenty of amusing drawings relating to the text. The book is intended as a simple introduction to the Alexander Technique and, given the complexity of the subject, it would not be possible for a reader to achieve much more than this from a book. It does succeed in providing individuals with an awareness of potential bad habits they may have established, and promotes some important principles associated with ensuring good health. The title Be in Balance is the central message of the book, and the reader is encouraged to maintain good health by balancing physical activity, sleep, rest, diet and ‘mindful nurturing’. Some simple tips are provided to help manage stress, such as remembering to breathe! The book proved to be easy to read, however, in parts the lighthearted style of the book and simplicity of the delivery, tended to appear rather patronising. The numerous positive claims made about the Alexander Technique also began to sound more like an American self-help book. Whilst the author is clearly passionate about the subject, there was little in the content of the book to substantiate the broad range of benefits that were claimed to ensue from the Technique. Individuals reading the book may take the opportunity to rethink their approach to maintaining a healthy body, and some may have their appetite whetted to learn more about the Alexander Technique from an experienced teacher by booking lessons. Those interested in a more holistic approach to maintaining health, or those experiencing musculoskeletal problems, may well find the content of this book useful in helping them to establish new patterns of behaviour. Vivien Gibbs Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, United Kingdom E-mail address: [email protected].
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.03.010
Clinical Guide to Sonography: Exercises for Critical Thinking, C. Henningsen, K. Kuntz, D. Youngs (Eds.), 2nd ed.. Elsevier (2014). p. 503 Paperback - £65.45, ISBN: 978-0-323-09164-0 This book covers a wide range of ultrasound examinations looking at the clinical question first. It is written for sonographers and student sonographers by two academics and a sonographer. The
book is divided into sections, starting with abdominal examinations and the common clinical question of Right Upper Quadrant Pain, which it then explores with possible diagnoses and ultrasound images of the pathology. Each chapter deals with a different clinical finding and at the end of each chapter there are quizzes to test the reader's knowledge. The other sections cover Gynaecology, Obstetric, Superficial Structures and Miscellaneous areas, which includes Neonatal Hips and Heads and some vascular areas, which departments may find useful; there is no section on MSK (Musculo-skeletal) Ultrasound. The colour images appear at the front of the book and I would have preferred these to have been placed within the text at the appropriate point. The references used within the book are mostly current. Equipment and technique are not covered in this book. Because this book is written by American authors some terminology will be incorrect in the UK setting, so caution should be demonstrated by the student sonographer when using this book as a reference, especially in the Obstetric Section. This is especially true within the early pregnancy setting where the wording used is different from the RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) recommended terminology. However, as long as the reader is aware of this, most ultrasound departments will find this a useful resource to have on their shelves and use for CPD. Allison Harris City University London, UK E-mail address: [email protected].
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.03.011
Chapman & Nakielny's Guide to Radiological Procedures, Nick Watson, editor, Saunders Elsevier, 428 pp, Price £32:99 Having frequently used the first edition of this book during my student radiography days, it was with some nostalgia that I reviewed the sixth edition. The purpose of this book has always been to provide a guide to radiology trainees & diagnostic radiography students; but with the developing role of interventional radiology the content is also of interest to nurses working within or alongside imaging departments. The latest edition has a wipeable cover, which points towards its purpose as a frontline clinical support tool for trainees rather than the ‘fountain of all knowledge.’ The patient preparation sections are informative and the bullet point layout aids memorisation of the steps. However I felt that sadly a chance had been missed to briefly underline the importance of working with the service user and listening to their opinions and/or fears. The value of multidisciplinary team working could also have been highlighted along with examples of the ‘blurring of roles of Allied Health Professionals' within radiology. The format of the guide is easy to navigate as it is sectioned into body systems, such as the gastro-intestinal tract and the urinary tract. The print format is clear, even for those who should wear their glasses now. The last three chapters are a worthwhile refinement as they cover sedation and monitoring, medical emergencies and patient consent. All of which are key current interventional radiological subjects. I assume images of procedures were excluded due to prohibitive costs and a need to keep the guide size compact. However students