Smith J. Structural Bodywork.

Smith J. Structural Bodywork. Edinburgh:Elsevier Inc., 2005. ISBN 0 443 10010 1. Soft cover. 232 pages. $80.30. Elsevier Australia, telephone (02) 9517 8999 or www.elsevier.com.au. (Reviewed by Matthew Boylan)

John Smith is a practitioner of various bodywork modalities including Rolfing® Structural Integration and Feldenkrais Method. He also lectures anatomy for the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration (USA). This book has been developed from a workshop A Holistic Approach to Working with Posture, the author taught for some years in the University of Sydney's Faculty of Health Science.

This book aims to provide an advanced introduction to structural bodywork. Structural bodywork is defined as 'a handson approach that has the fundamental aim of alleviating the structural imbalances' which commonly present in patients. This concept was introduced as a discipline by Dr Ida Rolf. This book however attempts to further clarify the modality by drawing together the various strands that are currently spread over several disciplines.

The book has three sections. Section 1 (30 pages) outlines the history of structural bodywork. Section 2 (56 pages) describes the human somatic organisation. The third section is the main part of the book. Here the author presents in 131 pages a practical introduction to structural bodywork. Avariety of techniques are described. Ageneral protocol is provided for the techniques, designed for practitioners to modify and build upon with their own variations to suit their patients' individual needs.

Most chapters are referenced, and the book is indexed. The text is illustrated with over 300 photographs and drawings.

This is not a comprehensive text. Its aim is to be used a reference by a wide range of practitioners, including somatic therapists, massage therapists, physiotherapists and students, who are looking to expand their knowledge of, and ways of working with, the human body.