Physiotherapy November 2002/vol 88/no 11

711Book reviews

Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois2001 (ISBN 0 7360 3290 8). Illus. 148 pages

by Susan Foreman Saliba and Ethan Saliba £12The principal focus of this book is electrotherapy treatmentmodalities for athletic injuries and soft tissue injuries. Thetitle is somewhat misleading as the treatments covered areappropriate for general musculoskeletal problems and notexclusively for athletic injuries. The book is described as alab manual to be used in conjunction with the textbookTherapeutic Modalities for Athletic Injuries. It is designed toprovide exercises to reinforce the material presented in thetextbook. The book refers frequently to the textbook andthe majority of chapters request revision of certain sectionsin this. Unfortunately I was not in possession of the textbookso cannot comment on how the two link up.

The lab manual is aimed as a reinforcement andaccompaniment to the textbook and focuses purely onelectrotherapy treatment modalities. The only manualtherapy technique mentioned is a brief chapter on massage.This is on a general theme rather than for specific injuries.There is a brief mention of exercise being the key torehabilitation but this book does not cover this.

The book is clearly intended for a North Americanaudience as it discusses the application of modalities as being a technician’s role, the treatment plan andprescription of modality being the remit of the athletictrainer. It also mentions billing of insurance per modality,which is clearly aimed at the American market. It is

also aimed at student physiotherapists and the variouselectrotherapy modalities are described in a basic manner inbackground and application and there are group activitiesto carry out in many of the chapters.

The chapters are clearly defined and the text is clearlywritten and easy to use as a basic reference book forelectrotherapy. Each chapter or ‘lab’ has clearly definedobjectives with clear instructions regarding pre-readingmaterial from the accompanying textbook. It is simplywritten and at the end of each chapter are activities to testunderstanding and the practical element of each subject, auseful tool for students to make revision more interestingand comprehensive. The book is diverse in covering 20different modalities including ice, ultrasound, traction,TENS, high voltage stimulation, interferential, directcurrent and so on.

The prescriptive element of this book seems an outdatedapproach in today’s climate of clinical effectiveness. Themodalities are not linked to specific athletic injuries ortreatment protocols, and some modalities are not used inthe UK, eg fluidotherapy.

The place of electrotherapy in the rehabilitation ofathletes is questionable without the necessary rehabilitationexercises but this may be covered in the accompanyingtextbook. Progression of treatment is not covered.

In summary, at £12 it is an inexpensive quick referenceand background book for electrotherapy, more suitable forstudents or junior physiotherapists. It is not specificallyaimed at athletic injuries but more general musculoskeletalproblems. It would be a useful addition to a college libraryor departmental bookshelf. There are clear photographsand diagrams, the different sections are well defined and,being paperback, the book is easy to use.

Ruth Squire MCSP

Therapeutic Modalities forAthletic Injuries Laboratory manual

David Fulton Publishers, London2002 (ISBN 1 85346 870 3). Illus. 88 pages

by Christine Macintyre £14This book is primarily aimed at teachers and ‘those whoshare the responsibility of developing the learning of earlyyears children’. Although it does not mention therapistsspecifically, they are noted as an over-stretched resource.

The intended client group concentrates on movementactivities for young children with developmental co-ordination disorders, but it could be used with children whohave a wide variety of movement and sensory disorders. Thelanguage used is simple with basic descriptions of the typesof difficulties that can contribute to poor development ofmotor skills.

The book is laid out into sections that address specificmovement patterns, sensory integration, teaching and

observation, and lesson planning. The beginning of eachsection has a brief explanation of the chapter with ideas forspecific ‘fun’ activities. While the activities suggested aresimple and easy to implement, the descriptions are wordyand lack clear line drawings -- the illustrator choosing to userather unhelpful photographs. The author has given pointsto look out for and correct while carrying out the activities,but does not suggest referral to a specialist therapist shouldthey be unable to do so.

The book is ideal for the intended readership, but mayalso be useful for physiotherapists working in mainstream or special needs schools to suggest activities, or as a basicintroduction for students or therapists who are unfamiliarwith this client group. The book contains some goodexplanations that could be given to parents to enable themto understand their child’s difficulties -- for this reason itwould be a useful addition to a therapy library. However, it islightly bound and though easy to handle, it may wear quicklywith regular use.

Helen Miles MCSP

Early Intervention in Movement Practical activities for early years settings

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