In review: featured books and website

As the title suggests this book reviews different postural types, the problems associated with alterations in posture and both hands on and self-treatment ideas. The author, Jane Johnson, is both a physiotherapist and massage therapist who specialises in occupational health and this book is a follow up to her previous books on topics such as postural assessment, soft tissue release and therapeutic stretching. 

 

Surprisingly, given the time devoted to posture in the physiotherapy setting, there are few texts available purely on the topic of postural assessment and treatment so this book could be a useful resource in the clinic. The author acknowledges that there is little evidence to support whether it is beneficial to correct posture and the efficacy of postural correction treatments, and this book, although citing relevant research, is largely based on the author’s experience. 

 

The book is both easy to follow and refer back to; detailing the most common posture formations in the spine, lower and upper limbs. Postures reviewed include scoliosis, thoracic kyphosis, genu valgum, pes planus and winged scapula to name a few. For those new to postural assessment, the photos and diagrams would help guide assessment and the sections on ‘what you can do as a therapist’ and ‘what your client can do’ would give you a starting point in planning a treatment. The layout of the book with boxes and tables means that you can dip in and out, easily finding the section you require, and case studies help put the assessment and treatment together. Treatments such as taping, trigger point release, muscle energy techniques and soft tissue release are briefly reviewed in the second chapter and revisited in subsequent ones. 

 

I was surprised to read that ideal posture type is found in 96 per cent of extroverts but only four per cent of introverts, making me wonder what difference we can make as physiotherapists. This book would best suit both recently-qualified and student physiotherapists and would be a useful text on a student reading list.

This ‘easy to use’ toolkit is on the NHS Employers website. It states that people find it much easier to engage in conversations about physical health, but often find talking about emotional wellbeing to be more of a challenge. The toolkit was developed with NHS staff to help bridge a gap in understanding and enable them to talk openly and regularly about issues relating to emotional health. http://www.nhsemployers.org/howareyoufeelingnhs

 

NHS England has developed two films because some staff lack the knowledge or confidence to raise or respond to concerns about patient safety. Raising Concerns and Responding to Concerns show the importance of raising concerns, build confidence and equip managers with the knowledge and skills 

to respond. http://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/hospitals-primary-community-care/learning-be-safer/raising-responding-concerns

 

The contributors are described as understanding the practice and potential of interactive video conferencing (IVC) teaching at the highest levels. 

 

This book offers suggestions for institutions on using social media and goes on to look at the growing importance of social media and online social networks, claiming they are expected to transform academia and the scholarly process.

 

Evidence-based best practice in the core areas of sports injury risk management and rehabilitation.