Therapeutic Modalities for Allied Health Professionals.

Therapeutic Modalities for Allied Health Professionals Prentice WE. New York, NY 10011, McGraw-Hill Inc, 1998, paperback, 532 pp, illus, $49.95.

This textbook may appear imposing because of its physical size (8 1/2 x 11 in and 532 pages) and by the amount of material it covers. The book is divided into 6 sections. The first section, "The Foundations of Therapeutic Modalities," covers the basic laws and principles of physics that apply to modalities used by the therapist and the physiologic responses to the application of those modalities. This section also contains a discussion of pain, its management, and the mechanisms of pain.

Sections 2 through 5 cover the topics often found in textbooks focusing on physical modalities, such as electrical modalities, thermal modalities, light therapy (including laser and ultraviolet), and mechanical modalities. The mechanical modalities section contains information on spinal traction and intermittent compression devices.

The last section of this text, section 6, deals with topics that are not typically found in physical modality textbooks (ie, massage, joint mobilization, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation). Each of these segments contain information not only on the techniques, but also on the physiologic effects and underlying principles.

The book is well illustrated with line drawings and graphs and has excellent, clear, and detailed black-and-white pictures. My kudos to the author for the placement and quantity of these illustrations: They reinforce the text very well.

Each chapter begins with short, comprehensive statements of the objectives for that chapter, and it ends with a brief summary, case studies, a glossary of pertinent terms, and an adequate, but not extensive, bibliography. The inclusion of a "lab activity" at the end of many chapters is an excellent feature of this text. Detailed step-by-step procedures for each activity are included.. Each lab activity begins with a brief description of the rationale for the activity, and the description identifies the effects as well as the indications and contraindications. These activities, which are integrated with the theoretical background, will aid students and teachers alike.

The inclusion of the material in section 6 gives this book a reason to be on your shelf. By including this material, the textbook broadens its appeal. It covers such a wide range of topics that it will be useful to anyone wanting a quick, single reference. However, if you need more depth of analysis, other sources may be more appropriate.

Mary Joan Day, PT
Columbia University
New York, NY

Ms Day is Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy in the Program in Physical Therapy.