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The Massage Book
Published in 1972 and continuously in print since then, The Massage Book introduced Swedish massage to American culture.
Still current and well regarded, The Massage Book was listed by National Health magazine as the first of twenty-five best books that have changed our thinking about our health and our world. Today, as alternative treatments are being discovered by mainstream health plans, massage is still going strong. In the last twenty-five years, countless books on massage have been published, but none rivals The Massage Book .
Still current and well regarded, The Massage Book was listed by National Health magazine as the first of twenty-five best books that have changed our thinking about our health and our world. Today, as alternative treatments are being discovered by mainstream health plans, massage is still going strong. In the last twenty-five years, countless books on massage have been published, but none rivals The Massage Book .
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
19 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 7, 2008
Some good information hidden among a fair amount of outdated nonsense.
This book has been around since the 70's and is regarded as a classic - however a lot has changed in that time and the book has not been updated to reflect these changes.
I am currently working as a massage therapist and went to massage school over ten years ago. I hope that, at least by now, the association of massage therapist with sex worker, is starting to fade. There is a whole segment of the book where the author discourages people from becoming professional massage therapists, especially women, because people will think you are a prostitute. Come on! Some people may still think this way, yes - but that's not a reason not to become a massage therapist. Some people think all kinds of weird things, and you can't help that - the key is to learn how to protect yourself - no matter what industry you are in - to communicate clearly - maintain proper professional and emotional boundaries - and trust your gut. Don't work on anyone you don't feel right about.
The cartoon illustrations in the book are completely nude. I don't have a problem with nudity, but I think proper draping is an important skill for a massage therapist to have. In the book, sheets are not used to cover the areas of the body that are not being worked on.
The author says that choosing not to massage a woman's breasts is "prudish and condescending" - but I think that it is professional, not prudish and condescending. Keeping the breasts and genitals covered reinforces the idea that you want to communicate to the client: that it is a non-sexual massage.
I believe that the practice of covering the genitals and breasts, and not including these body parts in the massage, is important. They reinforce healthy client therapist boundaries and help to create cultural recognition of massage as a non-sexual healing art. I don't think this makes me a prude, but if so, so be it.
I also have a specific pet peeve about the placement of illustrations in relation to text. When an illustration is placed in the middle of a block of text it breaks the flow of concentration and makes it harder to read.
Other than that....
There is some useful information here.
This book has been around since the 70's and is regarded as a classic - however a lot has changed in that time and the book has not been updated to reflect these changes.
I am currently working as a massage therapist and went to massage school over ten years ago. I hope that, at least by now, the association of massage therapist with sex worker, is starting to fade. There is a whole segment of the book where the author discourages people from becoming professional massage therapists, especially women, because people will think you are a prostitute. Come on! Some people may still think this way, yes - but that's not a reason not to become a massage therapist. Some people think all kinds of weird things, and you can't help that - the key is to learn how to protect yourself - no matter what industry you are in - to communicate clearly - maintain proper professional and emotional boundaries - and trust your gut. Don't work on anyone you don't feel right about.
The cartoon illustrations in the book are completely nude. I don't have a problem with nudity, but I think proper draping is an important skill for a massage therapist to have. In the book, sheets are not used to cover the areas of the body that are not being worked on.
The author says that choosing not to massage a woman's breasts is "prudish and condescending" - but I think that it is professional, not prudish and condescending. Keeping the breasts and genitals covered reinforces the idea that you want to communicate to the client: that it is a non-sexual massage.
I believe that the practice of covering the genitals and breasts, and not including these body parts in the massage, is important. They reinforce healthy client therapist boundaries and help to create cultural recognition of massage as a non-sexual healing art. I don't think this makes me a prude, but if so, so be it.
I also have a specific pet peeve about the placement of illustrations in relation to text. When an illustration is placed in the middle of a block of text it breaks the flow of concentration and makes it harder to read.
Other than that....
There is some useful information here.
January 27, 2024
I am a massage therapist. I bought this book a year ago and thumbed through it. This week I picked it back up and decided to read it cover to cover. This book was written almost 50 years ago. While the techniques described in this book are still relevant today, our approach to massage has changed significantly. Today, we focus primarily on the scientific and not enough of the psychological and emotional aspects. The illustrations in this book depict clients without drapes and therapist without clothes. This was typical of Esalon massage during that time period. It conveys the message that our bodies are normal and that nudity does not equate to sex - even though there is a section devoted to Massage for Lovers complete with instructions for genital massage. This used to be a massage bible back in the day, but times have changed and very few therapists would buy this book today. But I did because I believe massage is more than clinical soft tissue manipulation.
December 16, 2022
Very clear, very basic. Everything you'll need to get started. I read this 40 years ago and thought I'd give it a revisit. I didn't get more from it but I still use the things I did learn: direction about strokes, a useful set of them, and preparation on several fronts. I still find it crazy that the authors expect everybody to be nude during massage sessions, but it makes the illustrations fun.
January 23, 2018
easy to follow and understand. loved it. Very educational
April 7, 2020
He has his own opinions, most of which are outdated. Actual MASSAGE THERAPISTS do have training and are licensed.
If you’re just looking to massage friends, this book is fine.
If you’re just looking to massage friends, this book is fine.
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March 3, 2021Good book
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February 15, 2017Massage Book, The by G. Downing @ 1972, PB, ISBN: 394707702, LBS, 9/2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2007
It's a bit 'hippy' but it has great, basic information. If you don't know how to give a massage and you want to learn, this book will teach you how to give a great one. It will not, however, teach you the physiology behind massage therapy.
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July 27, 2011Well, mine is actually an old edition, not the 25th anniv. edition, but I didn't want yet another brown-parchmenty-cover on my shelf. It was fun for my friends and me to try out these techniques--the line illustrations are attractive and useful.
January 19, 2016
Found this in the library one summer. A Hippie book made during the 70's. The best book about massage I have ever read. Very easy to understand, great drawings of real people. A fantastic book!
January 27, 2010
I love the illustrations and overall feel.
December 20, 2010
I learned a lot. I hope to be disciplined to put it into practice.
February 7, 2012
Good book for basic massage techniques. I was given this book in 2000 and still use it alongside other massage books as it is a very good tutorial aid,
March 2, 2013
Teaching yourself to enjoy massage.
September 6, 2013
One of the first and one of the best.
September 8, 2012
Great introduction to the field
August 2, 2013
worn gover, grubby page edges.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews