Tappan's Handbook of Massage Therapy

Tappan's Handbook of Massage Therapy: Blending Art with Science, 6th Edition, provides foundational and practical instruction for the massage therapy vocation. Author Patricia J. Benjamin integrates the history and ethics of the profession with the science and application of therapeutic touch.

The textbook covers essential clinical planning and delivery, including session documentation, endangerment sites, contraindications, and practitioner body mechanics. It outlines classic Swedish massage sequences, joint movements, and hydrotherapy alongside contemporary approaches such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and lymphatic facilitation.

Additional material prepares readers for professional practice through guidance on career paths, private practice administration, and business ethics. Appendices supply reference tools including intake forms, evaluation templates, and professional codes of ethics.