Advanced Myofascial Techniques – Vol 2 – Neck, Head, Spine and Ribs

This book continues the theme begun in Volume I of Advanced Myofascial Techniques (Handspring Publishing, 2015). In Volume I, you will find a discussion of essential background information about the goals of this style of work; the nature of the tissues we are affecting with this modality; and descriptions of a selection of hands-on techniques for conditions of the appendicular skeleton, specifically the upper and lower limbs, and the shoulder and pelvic girdles.

This second volume takes this discussion deeper, presenting manual therapy approaches for client complaints related to the axial skeleton: the spine, abdomen, ribcage, neck, and head; concludes with some considerations relevant to sequencing these techniques into sessions or a series of sessions.

The techniques in these volumes have been specially selected for their accessibility, relevance, and effectiveness, from amongst the more than 350 assessments, techniques, and procedures that constitute the curriculum of the ever-expanding Advanced Myofascial Techniques series of seminars and videos. This repertory of techniques has been clarified and refined over the course of more than 30 years of clinical practice, professional continuing education trainings, and practitioner supervision. They will be natural additions to a wide range of therapeutic, rehabilitative, and educational methods, including structural integration (to which they owe their primary inspiration), physical and physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy (both rehabilitative and restorative), chiropractic, osteopathic manipulation, craniosacral therapy, speech therapy, orthodontics, sports and conditioning training, movement therapy, yoga, and many other methodologies concerned with the health and functioning of the physical body.

Whether you’re using this book as a part of a systematic course of study, or meandering through it on your own, you will get the most out of it if you actually do the techniques. Don’t wait until you’ve gone through the entire book to try them out. Even if you begin by just looking at the images, or watching a video link, put a friend or a colleague on the table as soon as you can, so that your hands and body can learn the material as you go through it. Once you’ve actually tried a technique, go back and take in another aspect of the material, perhaps reading the key point summaries, or the text, or reviewing the study guide questions and their online answer keys. When you work through the material in this way, you will learn the material more fully, and will have begun the process of making these techniques your own.

In this series, Til makes liberal and salient use of the un-traditional views of anatomy now available through electronic media, exposing relationships not evident in the standard texts. The photographs included not only show the techniques as they apply to the client, but also where the intent is directed vis-avis the client’s skeleton a boon to accurate application across different body types. Charts, summaries, and study guides only add to the clarity of the presentation for the mid-level or advanced manual therapist.

I am very happy to see that this second volume covers the vestibular system, which is sadly underserved elsewhere, as well as dealing openly and fairly with the controversies surrounding the psoas major and environs. Other corners at the edge of manual therapy’s reach, such as the diaphragm, rib heads, mesentery and deeper structures of the neck are dealt with in a practical but sophisticated manner.

As Til states, a book is a good but limited tool, so augment the information from here with his video presentations, or enjoy the mature version of the unique man I saw so many years ago by going to Til’s classes. You can rely on what you find, because his innate confidence is such that he feels no ned to overstate his case or claim ‘cures’ or causation. The spirit of this book is exploration, an informed exploration that encourages the client’s body to heal itself, and evokes the client’s desire to retain the renewed access to movement.

And most of all, Til’s work requires the practitioner to stay awake and aware, the single most important factor in a long and satisfying practice.