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Touch Training for Strength by Beth Rothenberg and Oscar Rothen- berg. Human Kinetics, PO Box lW14, leeds LS16 6TR, 1995 (ISBN 0 87322 437X). lllus. 139 pages. f70.95

I confess to being somewhat amused and cynical on first glance at this book. It is written by an American personal fitness trainer and her lawyer husband. My first im- pression was that the fitness world had recently discovered what physiotherapists have been aware of for many years; that touching an area of muscle being exercised localises the effort and improves contraction. PNF hold-relax tech- niques have Ijeen used in sport for some time as part of flexibility programmes. This appears to be work using facilitatory techniques to improve muscle tone in weight training which has a copyright applied to it.

However, cynicism aside, on reading further into the book, I found that the author had reviewed previous work in this field quite extensively. The value of PNF techniques is recognised and the work of people such as Rood, Johnstone and Basmajian is discussed. The authors feel that although facilitatory techniques have been used in the rehabilitation field for a long time, they have not been used in the training world. Hence the book. . . .

The first chapter explains what T.O.U.C.H.”” is and the benefits of incorporating this method into a training programme. They quote five basic benefits:

Focus of attention toward the target muscles. 0 Provides biofeedback. 0 Facilitates muscle contraction. 0 Evaluation of muscle tension. 0 Inhibition of inappropriate muscle work.

The second chapter covers how the techniques work. A basic description of sensorimotor reflexes, muscle spindles, fibre recruitment and inhibitory and facilitatory mechanisms is covered fairly well for a lay person and would be useful when attempting to explain some of our treatments to patients.

Chapter 3 tells you how to use the techniques: in the authors’ words ‘who, when, how often, how hard, and how fast to touch’. A variety of stroking and touch techniques is described - such as sustained touch,

stroking, cupping and knife-edge - with indications for their use. The remaining chapters concentrate on how t o perform the techniques specific to each muscle group. Although many of the methods are basic skills we use every day as physiotherapists, it might actually be useful for students to read, as handling techniques, body positions and the ethical problems associated with manual methods are explained quite well.

In general the book is well set out and easy t o read. The content is very basic for qualified physio- therapists but perhaps interest- ing reading for first- or second-year students. Finally, it is worth a look just for the philosophical quota- tions at the start of each chapter!

Nicola Phillips MSc MCSP

Standing dumbbell biceps curl in ‘Touch Training for Strength’

Substance Abuse and Physical Disability edited by Allen W Heinmann PhD. Ha worth Press, Binghamton, New York, 1993 (ISBN 1 56024 289 2 hardback, 1 56024 290 6 softback), 289 pages. Hardback $52.71, soffback $23.91 including postage to UK.

This book written and edited by people working in America is obvi- ously intended for the American market. That should not suggest that it does not have a place here. I found many areas of interest.

The book is well written and read- able, although presented like a text book, it will not stay open on the desk while you write notes. The binding did not benefit from being made t o stay flat and by the end of preparation of this review was showing signs of distress.

There are a few tabledcharts which are mainly printed in land- scape, this is frustrating especially as for some reason the script is smaller than the main text.

In the introduction the editor suggests for whom the text was intended - physiotherapists are included. He also outlines which issues the other contributors will be covering in their chapters, and states that the text is designed to ‘provide readers with information necessary to understand the context of substance abuse in the lives of persons with disabilities’. In my opinion the book does this.

Kenneth Gorman’s chapter ‘Addicted and disabled: One man’s journey from helplessness to hope’, gives an autobiographical account of substance abuse. This man was disabled by a car crash, caused by his drink problem. Although paralysed, he continued to abuse alcohol and drugs. In fact he writes: ‘Friends smuggled booze t o me in intensive care.’

Mr Gorman, now clean, helps others with the same problem. He achieved this in spite of his peers. I still remember a line in his chapter where he is in a bar in his wheelchair, getting drunk, and someone pats him on his back saying: ‘It’s good t o see people like you have a good time.’

There are some words, which although I understood them, I had not come across before such as ‘personologic’ or ‘substance use disorder’, but I put this down to the American background.

In general, this book fulfils its role and is easy t o read. Many times I found myself reading the text like a narrative, forgetting to make notes. I think this was due to the anecdotal accounts. It can be used like a text- book to dip into, but it is just as easy to sit and read.

I would suggest this book for any physiotherapist who is working in substance abuse or with patients who have a physical disability.

The case study in Franklin Shontz’s chapter reminded me of a past patient of mine in his 40s who had a CVA and drank alcohol. We stopped him at“tending the physio- therapy department. If I had read this chapter years ago, would I have treated that man another i a y ?

Christine Marsh MCSP

Physiotherapy, April 1997, vol 83, no 4