Following are some of the books that our students, faculty and graduates have found to be the most useful in their studies or in their everyday practice.   I highly recommend every one of them, and most of them have been part of my library for years.

Rhett Hatfield
Co-Director Body Wisdom School
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Massage and Bodywork

Trail Guide to the Body :
How to Locate Muscles, Bones & More!
by Andrew R. Biel
What can we say ... this is THE definitive book to learn the bones and muscles.  It is the main text we use in all of our classes because it specializes in palpation skills in the prone and supine positions.  The kind of skills that you use everyday in your practice.  It is written in an easy to understand format with great illustrations and fun exercises.
Order The Trail Guide

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology : Therapeutic Foot Massage for Health & Well-Being
by Inge Dougans
In addition to being an outstanding guide to reflexology (the best we have seen anywhere), the Illustrated Guide ties in the meredians of acupuncture, chinese medicine, diet and the organ systems.  Beautifully illustrated with tons of great color photos.  If you are interested in adding reflexology to your bags of tricks, this may be the only guide you will ever need.
Order The Illustrated Guide

Pain Erasure : The Bonnie Prudden Way
by Bonnie Prudden
Since 1980, the best low cost text on using trigger point therapy in your massage or bodywork practice.  There are more expensive books out there in the $80. price range, but for around $10. Pain Erasure will give the average therapist all they will need to start working effectively with trigger point therapy.
Order Pain Erasure

The Book of Massage : The Complete Step-By-Step Guide to Eastern and Western Techniques
by Lucinda Lidell, Sara Thomas and Carola Beresford Cooke
If you are going to own one book on massage and bodywork this is the one to have.  Highly recommended, it covers, swedish massage, shiatsu and foot reflexology plus body reading, anatomy and a special section on human touch.  And amazingly well for a book that is available for about $12.
Order The Book Of Massage

Acupressure Techniques: Well Being and Pain Relief at Your Fingertips
by Julian Kenyon MD
A very direct and straight forward guide to immediately reaping the many benefits of acupressure.  Easy to follow and apply techniques to heal most common complaints.

Order Acupressure Techniques

Acupressure Step by Step
by Jacqueline Young
If you have a little more money to invest and you are just getting started in acupressure, this is the book to own.  This fully illustrated guide describes the acupressure technique, how it works and how it can be used to prevent or relieve a wide range of common complaints such as colds, backaches, headaches, insomnia and menstrual problems.

Order Acupressure Step by Step

The Book of Shiatsu
by Paul Lundberg
This is the first excellent step-by-step guide to the healing art of Shiatsu that I have run across. Techniques include hand, elbow, knee, foot, and whole-body pressure as well as gentle manipulation to alleviate tension, pain, and a wide range of chronic discomforts and minor ailments.

More than 240 color illustrations and photographs demonstrate the simple tools, techniques, and principle of Shiatsu. By learning whole-body and specialized routines, diagnostic techniques, and how to work meridians, you'll be able to help yourself and others.

Other than taking our Shiatsu Class at the Body Wisdom Institute, I know of no better guide to get you started off on the right "foot", hand thumbs and more.  I highly recommend this complete reference.

Order The Book of Shiatsu

Ortho-Bionomy : A Practical Manual
by Kathy L. Kain, Jim Berns (Contributor)
A wonderful book on the philosophy and practical application of Ortho-Bionomy, also known as Positional Release.  Excellent illustrations and practical instructions for employing this non-force technique in your practice.  


Order Ortho-Bionomy

Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork
by Deane Juhan, Ken Dychtwald
A classic text written by Dean Juhan that is in the library of almost every serious bodyworker.  Highly recommended!




Order Job's Body

A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology
by Ruth Werner, Ben E. Benjamin
Simply the best guide to pathology for the practicing massage therapist or student.  It is the text we have chosen for the school because it covers such a wide range of dis-ease conditions so thoroughly. Each chapter starts off with an introduction to the body system followed by:
* What the disorder is
* How to recognize it
* What type of massage is indicated or contraindicated
* Whether a contraindication is local or systemic

Order The Guide To Pathology

More Books Coming Soon ...!

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