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A reprint of the article "Palpating the Anterior Hip" which originally appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of "The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals" is presented. It discusses the methods for examining the anterior part of the hip, which is important for diagnosing and treating hip-related issues in traditional medicine. Also mentioned are the palpation of the hip flexors and application of the hill and valley approach to palpation of the hip flexor musculature.

The article deals with table width as an important criterion for choosing a massage table. It discusses the importance of scoop design and adjustable arms when considering table width. Several ways are recommended to adjust the body position of the massage therapist to compensate for a wide massage table that include placing the outside foot behind the inside foot parallel to the table, placing the outside foot in front of the inside foot, and using the corner of the table.

Manual therapy can be hard work. It is physically stressful to the body. This is especially true if deep pressure techniques are being employed and/ or if the therapist is small and the client is large. And when stretching the client, this size differential is even more challenging than when doing soft tissue manipulation (massage). For this reason, a lot of attention is paid to proper body mechanics, as well it should be. But perhaps there is not enough attention paid to table mechanics. After all, the best body mechanics in the world are compromised if the mechanics of the table do not allow for efficient use of our body when generating force to work on the client. Following are some key points about what to look for in a manual therapy (massage) table and how to employ efficient body mechanics to take advantage of the table mechanics. Employing optimal body and table mechanics cannot eliminate all physical stress to the therapist's body, but it can minimize it. This article is presented in three parts: Part 1 deals with table height, Part 2 with table width and Part 3 with table length. Parts 2 and 3 will be published in the September and December issues of JATMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses upper crossed syndrome, a common postural dysfunctional pattern where one arm of the cross indicates the muscles are typically tight/overly facilitated while the other arm has muscles that are typically weak/overly inhibited. Topics discussed include common causes of the syndrome including chronic postural stress to the upper body, its signs and symptoms, and treatment given to patients with upper crossed syndrome.

The article discusses the four fundamental treatment approaches that form the foundation of most massage treatment techniques. Topics covered include the use of hydrotherapy to apply hot and/or cold therapy to the client, the types of massage strokes, and the benefits of joint mobilisation that is said to be rarely used by massage therapists.