502
for applying myofascial manipulation. Biomechanics,
histopathology, neuromechanics and muscle pain syndromes are covered. This section is thorough with regard to
the topic areas covered but is descriptive rather than
analytical in style. On this basis it is difficult for a reader to
give value to the evidence presented. Despite the descriptive
approach, this section provides enough information for
therapists to understand the biological rationale
underpinning this approach.
Part 3 focuses on the evaluation and treatment of the
myofascial system. This section is in two chapters, a basic
evaluation of the musculoskeletal system and an atlas of
therapeutic techniques. Both sections are clearly written and
Neuromusculoskeletal
Examination and Assessment
A handbook for therapists
Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh
2001, 2nd edition (ISBN 0 443 07061 X). Illus. 396 pages
Nicola J Petty and Ann P Moore
£23.93
This new edition of Petty and Moore’s book provides an upto-date and comprehensive guide to neuromusculoskeletal
assessment in general and by area: temporomandibular
joint, upper cervical spine, cervicothoracic spine, thoracic
spine, shoulder region, elbow region, wrist and hand,
lumbar spine, pelvis, hip region, knee region, and foot and
ankle. The text includes new information on pain, illness
behaviour and coping strategies and additional detailed
information on muscle imbalance and testing, trigger
points, wrist and hand, and also foot and ankle assessments.
It is well referenced and includes some recently published
and unpublished texts.
Like its predecessor it is a useful guide to assessment
for under- and postgraduate students, returners to the
profession and those who are a little rusty. Rightly described
as a working manual for dipping into, it is concise and
precise and provides an excellent starting point. References
are included for those wishing to delve deeper and
investigate the underpinning rationale.
I would have liked to have seen more information on the
make good use of diagrams and photographs to aid
understanding.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to be an
essential read for all manual therapists. While it offers little
with regard to providing a strong evidence base for the
clinical effectiveness of this approach, it does provide a
good reference regarding the rationale underpinning
soft tissue mobilisation. It also provides a clear atlas
of techniques that could be incorporated in the clinical
reasoning process and modified to suit individual patients’
requirements.
Glenn Hunter PhD
SIN (severity, irritability and nature of pain) designations
and less on Maitland’s theories which are available at length
in other texts (Maitland et al, 2001; Maitland, 1991, 1986).
Although it is a well structured book the chapters in the
second edition are not so well laid out as in the first edition.
Neither, regrettably, are the figures so clearly labelled and in
a number of places they are rather remote from the relevant
text. I found the newly included physical examination and
management planning forms difficult to read, owing to their
structure and print size, and rather over-detailed. As a result
their value in the present format is debatable.
Although not so easy to read as the first edition the
book contains extremely useful information for a hands-on
clinician and is inexpensive. Those who do not have the first
edition will find it a very worth-while acquisition. However
those who have the first edition may wish initially to access
this new edition via the departmental or library bookshelf
rather than make an immediate individual purchase.
Maggie Whittaker
MSc BSc GradDipPhys PGCE MCSP
References
Maitland, G D (1986). Vertebral Manipulation, Butterworth,
London, 5th edn.
Maitland, G D (1991). Peripheral Manipulation, ButterworthHeinemann, London, 5th edn.
Maitland, G, Hengeveld, E, Banks, K and English, K (2001).
Maitland’s Vertebral Manipulation, Butterworth-Heinemann,
Oxford, 6th edn.
Third, fourth and (right) final
stages in conducting the
slump test, as shown in
‘Neuromusculoskeletal
Examination and Assessment’
Physiotherapy September 2001/vol 87/no 9