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Chiropractic technique, 2nd ed
ARTICLE IN PRESS
Manual Therapy 9 (2004) 234–235
www.elsevier.com/locate/math
Book reviews Chiropractic technique, 2nd ed. Peterson, D.H. and Bergmann, T.F.; Mosby, St. Louie, MO, 2000, price d92,22, ISBN 032302016 This textbook will admirably serve two main audiences: other practitioners of manual therapy who want to understand the manipulative techniques of chiropractors, and chiropractic undergraduate students who need a well organised and illustrated technique manual. For both of these, Peterson and Bergmann’s second edition provides a good basic coverage, along with a healthy amount of circumspection and humility. This is supplemented by the personal bibliographies of the authors. These reveal what research has most informed thinking over the past 30 years or so. (You can almost hear the discussions at the International Conferences on Spinal Manipulation as you flick through them). The book’s objective is to ‘‘give a fair representation of what the chiropractic profession has to offer’’. It does this by starting with a flavour and context of the profession and then moving to joint anatomical considerations, assessment procedures and principles of ‘adjustive
technique’. Then comes the spine, after that the extremities, and then ‘non-thrust procedures’. (Anyone who thinks that chiropractic manipulation and highvelocity thrust are synonymous will see the flaws in that perception). Yes, the book is beautifully illustrated and yes, it is well written. Its main weakness lies perhaps in its introductory overview that deals with the past, present and future context of chiropractic. This is inward looking and appeals to a sense of self-gratification by focusing on how chiropractic and manipulation have been supported by the evidence. However, there is no sense of how the profession should meet the WHO’s challenge and integrate the psychological and social elements of health with the biological. But then, the chiropractors are not alone in that!
Alan Breen Anglo-European College of Chiropractic 13-15 Parkwood Road, Bournemouth BH52DF, UK
doi:10.1016/j.math.2004.01.005
The concise encyclopaedia of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain Patarca-Montero R. Haworth Medical Press, New York, 2002, p. 212, price d24,95 ISBN 0789015285
Half of this paperback is an A–Z list of material related or possibly related to fibromyalgia and myofascial pain. The other half comprises around 1300 references and as such it makes a very valuable resource for students and practitioners. The material collected is wide ranging—for example, entries include the relationship of the weather, breast implants, breathing disorders, sleep, post-polio syndrome, neurogenic inflammation and genetics to fibromyalgia and myofas-
cial pain. Overall, the entries emphasise current views of the importance of central nervous system processing changes with perturbed neuroendocrine and immune responses as essential parts of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain. We could reflect on the role of an encyclopaedia for a collection of signs and symptoms where aetiology and pathogenesis remain uncertain and clinical overlaps exists with other syndromes such as chronic fatigue syndrome. With so many possible management strategies and contributing factors listed, patients should read it with care or in consultation with a health provider. Health providers should have a open-minded working definition of what comprises fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndromes.
Manual Therapy 9 (2004) 234–235
www.elsevier.com/locate/math
Book reviews Chiropractic technique, 2nd ed. Peterson, D.H. and Bergmann, T.F.; Mosby, St. Louie, MO, 2000, price d92,22, ISBN 032302016 This textbook will admirably serve two main audiences: other practitioners of manual therapy who want to understand the manipulative techniques of chiropractors, and chiropractic undergraduate students who need a well organised and illustrated technique manual. For both of these, Peterson and Bergmann’s second edition provides a good basic coverage, along with a healthy amount of circumspection and humility. This is supplemented by the personal bibliographies of the authors. These reveal what research has most informed thinking over the past 30 years or so. (You can almost hear the discussions at the International Conferences on Spinal Manipulation as you flick through them). The book’s objective is to ‘‘give a fair representation of what the chiropractic profession has to offer’’. It does this by starting with a flavour and context of the profession and then moving to joint anatomical considerations, assessment procedures and principles of ‘adjustive
technique’. Then comes the spine, after that the extremities, and then ‘non-thrust procedures’. (Anyone who thinks that chiropractic manipulation and highvelocity thrust are synonymous will see the flaws in that perception). Yes, the book is beautifully illustrated and yes, it is well written. Its main weakness lies perhaps in its introductory overview that deals with the past, present and future context of chiropractic. This is inward looking and appeals to a sense of self-gratification by focusing on how chiropractic and manipulation have been supported by the evidence. However, there is no sense of how the profession should meet the WHO’s challenge and integrate the psychological and social elements of health with the biological. But then, the chiropractors are not alone in that!
Alan Breen Anglo-European College of Chiropractic 13-15 Parkwood Road, Bournemouth BH52DF, UK
doi:10.1016/j.math.2004.01.005
The concise encyclopaedia of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain Patarca-Montero R. Haworth Medical Press, New York, 2002, p. 212, price d24,95 ISBN 0789015285
Half of this paperback is an A–Z list of material related or possibly related to fibromyalgia and myofascial pain. The other half comprises around 1300 references and as such it makes a very valuable resource for students and practitioners. The material collected is wide ranging—for example, entries include the relationship of the weather, breast implants, breathing disorders, sleep, post-polio syndrome, neurogenic inflammation and genetics to fibromyalgia and myofas-
cial pain. Overall, the entries emphasise current views of the importance of central nervous system processing changes with perturbed neuroendocrine and immune responses as essential parts of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain. We could reflect on the role of an encyclopaedia for a collection of signs and symptoms where aetiology and pathogenesis remain uncertain and clinical overlaps exists with other syndromes such as chronic fatigue syndrome. With so many possible management strategies and contributing factors listed, patients should read it with care or in consultation with a health provider. Health providers should have a open-minded working definition of what comprises fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndromes.