Integrative Manual Therapy – Book Review

Integrative Manual Therapy for the Connective Tissue System was written by Dr. Sharon Giammatteo and Jay Kain, and published in 2005. Dr. Giammatteo is President of the Center of Integrative Manual Therapy and Diagnostics in Connecticut. Jay Kain is a Physical Therapist specializing in hands on bodywork. IMT focuses on using a holistic approach to first identify root causes of pain, disability, dysfunction and disease, before developing and implementing a comprehensive treatment approach.

The Integrative Manual Therapy for the Connective Tissue System describes the myofascial release approach. This treatment is gentle and circuitous, and can be easily incorporated into other manual manipulation techniques or even electrotherapeutic modalities. The book reviews how IMT for the fascial network can be customized to dramatically improve complex, chronic or acute sufferers. Successes have been reported with neurological disorders, sports medicine, geriatric and pediatric and orthopedic arenas.

Connective tissue is also greatly influenced by inflammations of the body. The Integrative Manual Therapy for the Connective Tissue System book also addressed protocols surrounding the treatment of disorders caused by fascial inflammation. Methods for caring for challenging pathologies, such as bone fractures and burns, are also detailed. Myofascial release as a treatment approach for chronic and acute lymphatic congestion and edema is described at length. Dr. Giammatteo and Mr. Klein go on to explain how to use soft tissue release techniques to relieve specific sports injuries and traumas.

The Integrative Manual Therapy for the Connective Tissue System – Myofascial Release: The 3-Planar Fascial Fulcrum Approach finishes its dissertation by showing procedures developed by Dr. Giammateo and Mr. Kain. These techniques using soft tissue connectivity IMT will ease scarring, myofibrositis, fibromyalgia, joint and soft tissue adhesions and venous congestion. Not only does IMT use hands on, body manipulation approach, it also integrates nutritional programs and psychotherapy to develop a whole and individualized program.