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Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke: A workbook for primary care teams
Obstetrics and Gynaecology: International Perspectives in Physical Therapy, 3,edited by Julie McKenna MCSP. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1988 (ISBN 0 4 4 3 03610). 191 pages. €11.95. The worldwide nature of the female life cycle means that women everywhere experience puberty, pregnancy, birth and its aftermath, and the climacteric, whatever their race or level of civilisation. However, only a tiny percentage of them have the benefit of modern medical care, and even fewer the possibility of contact w i t h a physiotherapist who has special obstetric and gynaecological skills and knowledge. The sad truth is that even in this country the specialty of obstetric and gynaecological physiotherapy is often relegated t o the bottom of the pile in order of 'importance'. Many hospitals have no provision for this immensely important aspect of our work (it is well to remember that at least 5 0 % of any population will be female), and some schools of physiotherapy are producing newly qualified physiotherapists who may have sat through a two-week obstetric 'module' during the course of their training but have no clinical experience in this field. Perhaps this excellent book will stimulate physiotherapists, not only in parts of the world where this aspect of physiotherapy does not yet exist, but also here at home, to find ways of using its mine of information for the benefit of all the women in their communities who need their care and experience. The book's ten contributors include many well-known and respected physiotherapists, one physiotherapist who went on to become a gynaecologist with a special interest in incontinence, and a midwife who has trained in the use of acupuncture. The subjects covered include 'Backache in pregnancy' by Jill Mantle ( 5 0 % of all pregnant women are said t o suffer some degree of back pain) and 'Aspects of body learning for the childbearing year' by Glenys Culverwell and Julie McKenna. An aquatic approach to pregnancy and recovery comes from Miriyam Vletninckx in Belgium; the 'Sources of pain in labour' and 'Maternal effort during labour and delivery' are covered by Helen Lawrence (Australia) and Elizabeth Noble (USA), respectively. Sheila Harrison, a past chairman of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in this country, describes the initiation of a co-ordinated physiotherapy service dealing w i t h obstetrics and gynaecology in Western Australia, and t w o non-pharmacological forms of pain relief i n labour 'Acupuncture' and 'Transcutaneous nerve stimulation' are dealt w i t h by Irene Skelran and Janette Krzyzton (Scotland and Australia). Dr Angela Shepherd writes about 'Urinary incontinence and the pelvic floor'. This book concludes with an annotated bibliography of publications of special interest to physiotherapists working in this
fascinating field, and each chapter has a copious list of references. This well-planned, well-written, and stimulating book should be part of every physiotherapy library - not only those of obstetric physiotherapists. MARGIE POLDEN MCSP Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke: A workbook for primary care teams, by Julian Tudor Hart and Barbara Stilwell, with J A Muir Gray. Faber and Faber, London, 1988 (ISBN 0 571 14504 31. Illus. 2 4 4 pages. €5.95. This is a good general book aimed at any member of a primary care team involved in organising work t o prevent coronary heart disease and stroke. Most of the ideas presented are suitable for a community situation rather than acute hospital wards, probably because t h e authors have experience in developing preventive schemes in general practice. Throughout the book appropriate examples are given from the authors' experiences, which adds t o its value. Chiropractic for Everyone, by Anthea Courtenay. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, 1987 (ISBN 0 1400 9 6 5 8 2). Illus. 2 2 4 pages. €3.95. This book, which is in the Penguin Health series, is written for the lay person. The author is a freelance writer w h o has an interest in alternative medicine but no medical background. The text covers the development of chiropractic and details the sort of conditions that chiropractors can treat, including the treatment of children and animals. The future of chiropractic is discussed and an appendix follows w i t h information on 'Caring for your back' that includes spinal exercises, and a section w h i c h lists chiropractic organisations world-wide. There is a bibliography and a comprehensive index.
It is a clear, concise, well-presented book, divided into four sections: 'The problem', 'What can be done about it', 'How to do it', and 'Divisions of labour'. Since the causes of coronary heart disease and stroke overlap in many ways, the authors approach the problems as one. They appear to have covered every possible aspect from social and economic, t o hereditary and age, and relate these t o each different approach to prevention. Each chapter is clearly illustrated when appropriate, and concluded with references and other useful information, such as addresses for educational leaflets, further reading and audio-visual aids. There is no specific reference t o physiotherapy, although the value of exercise is discussed, but despite this the book would probably be of value t o a physiotherapy department for use by members of staff joining a team working w i t h patients w i t h coronary heart disease and stroke or as a reference book for those already working in this field. FRANCES J WEST MCSP The author explains the uses of chiropractic, the ways in which it can supplement traditional medicine, and the psychological and spiritual benefits that may be gained. She argues that w i t h the Health Service under increasing pressure, complementary treatment such as chiropractic has an increasingly important role t o play in our society. Some of the case histories are rather sensational but the text is clear and easy t o read. This book would be useful for those w h o have an interest in alternative medicine, but members of the general public would also need information on more traditional methods of treatment to get a balanced view of the treatment of back pain. JACKY BALFOUR MCSP
A Farinczcaurtuc. Columnr qucrnr q u r d r r u pintiis I ~ I A ~ A . C H a b n a doricircundrrr.
Ancient methods of spinal manipulation and traction for Everyone'
-
an illustration from 'Chiropractic -
ffiysiotherapy, Januav 1989, vol75, no I
59
fascinating field, and each chapter has a copious list of references. This well-planned, well-written, and stimulating book should be part of every physiotherapy library - not only those of obstetric physiotherapists. MARGIE POLDEN MCSP Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke: A workbook for primary care teams, by Julian Tudor Hart and Barbara Stilwell, with J A Muir Gray. Faber and Faber, London, 1988 (ISBN 0 571 14504 31. Illus. 2 4 4 pages. €5.95. This is a good general book aimed at any member of a primary care team involved in organising work t o prevent coronary heart disease and stroke. Most of the ideas presented are suitable for a community situation rather than acute hospital wards, probably because t h e authors have experience in developing preventive schemes in general practice. Throughout the book appropriate examples are given from the authors' experiences, which adds t o its value. Chiropractic for Everyone, by Anthea Courtenay. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, 1987 (ISBN 0 1400 9 6 5 8 2). Illus. 2 2 4 pages. €3.95. This book, which is in the Penguin Health series, is written for the lay person. The author is a freelance writer w h o has an interest in alternative medicine but no medical background. The text covers the development of chiropractic and details the sort of conditions that chiropractors can treat, including the treatment of children and animals. The future of chiropractic is discussed and an appendix follows w i t h information on 'Caring for your back' that includes spinal exercises, and a section w h i c h lists chiropractic organisations world-wide. There is a bibliography and a comprehensive index.
It is a clear, concise, well-presented book, divided into four sections: 'The problem', 'What can be done about it', 'How to do it', and 'Divisions of labour'. Since the causes of coronary heart disease and stroke overlap in many ways, the authors approach the problems as one. They appear to have covered every possible aspect from social and economic, t o hereditary and age, and relate these t o each different approach to prevention. Each chapter is clearly illustrated when appropriate, and concluded with references and other useful information, such as addresses for educational leaflets, further reading and audio-visual aids. There is no specific reference t o physiotherapy, although the value of exercise is discussed, but despite this the book would probably be of value t o a physiotherapy department for use by members of staff joining a team working w i t h patients w i t h coronary heart disease and stroke or as a reference book for those already working in this field. FRANCES J WEST MCSP The author explains the uses of chiropractic, the ways in which it can supplement traditional medicine, and the psychological and spiritual benefits that may be gained. She argues that w i t h the Health Service under increasing pressure, complementary treatment such as chiropractic has an increasingly important role t o play in our society. Some of the case histories are rather sensational but the text is clear and easy t o read. This book would be useful for those w h o have an interest in alternative medicine, but members of the general public would also need information on more traditional methods of treatment to get a balanced view of the treatment of back pain. JACKY BALFOUR MCSP
A Farinczcaurtuc. Columnr qucrnr q u r d r r u pintiis I ~ I A ~ A . C H a b n a doricircundrrr.
Ancient methods of spinal manipulation and traction for Everyone'
-
an illustration from 'Chiropractic -
ffiysiotherapy, Januav 1989, vol75, no I
59