CONTENTS of Kyle’s Book …

Structural Balancing:
A Clinical Approach

structural balancing: a clinical approach - the book by kyle c wright & david scott lynn

Section 1: Foundations

Chapters 1-5
In order to apply proper manual techniques it is important to have a solid understanding of the principles underlying those techniques. An effective process of gathering data is necessary to know where and when to apply those techniques. A clear understanding of Chronic Excess Muscle and Nerve Tension (C.E.M.&.N.T.) and the many symptoms, syndromes, and pain it causes further enhances the therapist’s ability to tailor the strategies for the specific need of the client. The following foundational chapters will provide the knowledge and insights for the therapist to develop an effective treatment strategy.

Welcome Chapter: Value of Soft-Tissue Therapy
The chapter offers a brief introduction to the overall benefits of soft-tissue therapy and describes the phenomena of Chronic, Excess Muscle and Nerve Tension (C.E.M. & N.T.), as well as why it should be recognized as a primary cause of many afflictions that are not effectively treated by other therapies, including more typical massage and bodywork modalities.

Chapter 1: The Components of Structure (Bones and Landmarks)
Chapter 1 involves a palpatory study of the skeletal body to develop hand-placement skills for learning the muscles and their attachments. Topics include a study of the bones and surface features, bony landmarks, bone positioning as it relates to structure and movement, and where and how muscles attach to bones and the paths they travel over the body’s joints

Chapter 2: Structural Analysis and Postural Assessment
Chapter 2 discusses visualizing and analyzing the positioning of the client’s bones in space and their relationship with each other. Topics include observational skills, the application of structural anatomy and postural kinesiology, muscular imbalances, chronic bad postures, the planes of the body, and understanding how structural analysis and postural assessment allow the practitioner to determine causes of pain and dysfunction that are distant from the apparent symptom.

Chapter 3: Muscle Tension and Causes
Chapter 3 offers an in-depth look at the various causes of muscle tension and provides insights into how it can be prevented and how it should be treated.

Chapter 4: Symptoms and Conditions of Muscle Tension
Chapter 4 describes how muscle tension, directly and indirectly, causes specific conditions and symptoms.

Chapter 5: Principles of Reversing Muscle Tension
Chapter 5 provides clinical approaches to soft tissues and chronic tension, including understanding why soft-tissue therapy, when improperly applied, can be ineffective or counter-productive.

Section II: Clinical Massage Therapy and Structural Bodywork

Chapters 6-10
Clinical massage therapy and structural bodywork (at one level) are two different therapy disciplines. The first, clinical massage therapy, involves the ability to understand and effectively identify and manipulate the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of reducing chronic excess muscle tensions that contribute to the onset of pain and dysfunction. Structural bodywork adds a level of sophistication in scientifically tracking down the aches, pains, and dysfunction not sufficiently responsive to localized (at the location of symptoms) treatment of neuromuscular and myofascial structures.

Each chapter contains pertinent information structured in an easy-to-follow format to assist in facilitating the student’s learning of the muscles, origins, insertions, functions, and myotomes. Pain referral patterns associated with each muscle, clinical notes for discussion and reference, patient positioning, and treatment routines are all included.

Chapter 6: Posterior Lower Extremity Compartment (PLEC)
Chapter 6 covers the muscles of the Posterior Lower Extremity Compartment (PLEC) and the related problems that can manifest in muscles of the foot, calf, posterior and lateral thigh, buttock, and hip.

Chapter 7: Anterior Torso Compartment (ATC)
Chapter 7 covers the muscles of the Anterior Torso Compartment (ATC) and the related problems that can manifest in muscles of the abdomen, chest, anterior neck, and jaw.

Chapter 8: Anterior Lower Extremity Compartment (ALEC)
Chapter 8 covers the muscles of the Anterior Lower Extremity Compartment (ALEC) and the related problems that can manifest in the muscles of the foot, shin, anterior and medial thigh.

Chapter 9: Posterior Torso Compartment (PTC)
Chapter 9 covers the muscles of the Posterior Torso Compartment (PTC) and the related problems that can manifest in the muscles of the lower, middle, and upper back, shoulder, and posterior neck.

Chapter 10: Upper Extremity Compartment (UEC)
Chapter 10 covers the muscles of the Upper Extremity Compartment (UEC) and the related problems that can manifest in the muscles of the arm, forearm, and hand.

Features of the Book

The Clinical Massage Therapy and Structural Bodywork textbook has the following unique features to stimulate the learning process:

  • Tables-Summarizes important information at a glance
  • Learning Outcomes at the beginning of each chapter prepares the students for important sections for quick understanding of the chapter’s content.
  • Overview at the beginning of each chapter provides the students a glimpse of the chapter’s content
  • Clinical Success Stories for chapters 6-10 describes real life situations and the clinical approaches and applications of the work.
  • Full-Color Photos & Illustrations of the featured techniques and body structures enhance the learning experience with visuals.
  • OIAM Charts lists the individual muscle origins, insertions, actions, and myotomes at a glance for each major muscle.
  • Clinical Notes describes the key elements and pertinent information about the muscles being treated.
  • Routines Demonstrate Client Positioning and the proper hand placements for developing the student’s skills for delivering effective clinical massage therapy techniques to the muscles.
  • Stretching Exercises at the end of chapters 6-10 illustrate safe and effective stretches for improving one’s flexibility.
  • Brief Summary at the end of each chapter lists key points of the chapter to help students retain what they just learned.
  • Review Questions at the end of each chapter reinforces the concepts just learned.
  • Critical Thinking Questions at the end of chapters 6-10 reflect back to the Clinical Success Stories and prompts students conclude what to do in that situation.
  • Muscle Index at the end of the book provides the students a quick reference to find a specific muscle.

A hard-bound spiral cover, which allows the book to lie flat for easy reference while studying or during practical applications.

The OLC provides links to supplemental education materials.

The Appendices Include:

The following appendices have been added at the end of the book with valuable information about the significance that massage and bodywork, chiropractic adjustments, reducing negative thought processes of the mind-body, and strength training, are all connected in the healing process.

This material will assist the student’s awareness and understanding of just some of the other disciplines that support the combined overall healing of the mind-body. Also, a visual muscle appendix has been added to show some of the various muscles for different sections of the body to aid in the visual learning process for the students.

  • Appendix A: Muscles of the Body
    • Full Body
    • Posterior Lower Extremity Compartment (PLEC)
    • Anterior Torso Compartment (ATC)
    • Anterior Lower Extremity Compartment (ALEC)
    • Posterior Torso Compartment (PTC)
    • Upper Extremity Compartment (UEC)
  • Appendix-B: Chiropractic and Massage by Dr. Kelly Huber
  • Appendix C: Mind and Body Connection by Robert J. Rotella, Ph.D.
  • Appendix D: Strength Conditioning by Vance Ferrigno, CSCS

Available From Amazon.com HERE

From the Amazon Book Description:

Structural Balance: A Clinical Approach by Kyle Wright advances the reader’s clinical knowledge and hands-on skills of trigger point therapy techniques, postural and body structural conditions that cause chronic pain and discomfort, and specific therapies and exercises for resolving those conditions. Appropriate for clinical courses in massage therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractic programs, this text provides a step-by-step illustrated guide of manipulations for easy learning of muscle pains and their causes. Content is practical and treatment specific, discussing muscle attachments, pain patterns, clinical notes, range-of-motion exercises, physical distortions, and proper positioning.  Structural Balance teaches employable skills for a variety of healthcare specialties.

Product Details (from Amazon):

  • Series: Massage Therapy
  • Spiral-bound: 416 pages
  • Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 1 edition (January 19, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0073373923
  • ISBN-13: 978-0073373928
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 1.2 x 11.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Available From Amazon.com HERE

See All 3 Customer Reviews HERE (4.7 Stars Out of 5)