The Massage Book

by George Downing

The book that introduced Swedish massage to American culture, "The Massage Book" was listed by "Natural Health" magazine as the third of 25 books that have changed our thinking about our health and our world. Today, as alternative treatments are being covered by mainstream health plans, massage is still going strong. Line drawings throughout. Size D. 192 pp. 25,000 print.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Reference, How To, Self Help, Personal Growth

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Suzanne]

Some good information hidden among a fair amount of outdated nonsense.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.

[Roland Curit]

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.

[Courtney Martin]

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.

[Laura]

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.

[Rebekah kjos]

easy to follow and understand. loved it. Very educational

[Thayyil Harika]

Good book

[D.R.O]

Hippies were crazy, man

[Ann]

Massage Book, The by G. Downing @ 1972, PB, ISBN: 394707702, LBS, 9/2015

[Becky]

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.

[Jobiska (Cindy)]

Well, 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.

[Colleen]

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!

[Camille Church]

I love the illustrations and overall feel.

[Kate]

I learned a lot. I hope to be disciplined to put it into practice.

[Summerwyche]

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,

[Veronica]

Teaching yourself to enjoy massage.

[Adam Tritt]

One of the first and one of the best.

[Yuta Tamberg]

Great introduction to the field

[Elizabeth]

worn gover, grubby page edges.