Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques has long been know as the book that “started it all”. It was the first major textbook to present a broad collection of massage techniques for bodyworkers to learn and apply. Continuing with the book’s trailblazing roots, the spirit in creating the fifth ediion was to publish the “next generation” learning tool. At it's core, Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques provides students a firm foundation in basic Western massage techniques, while exposing them to a variety of other manual therapies. Through a very visual presentation, students learn the techniques and skills that they will use in their career as a massage therapist.

Part I Foundations-- Chapter 1 Healing Massage-A Wellness Perspective -- Chapter 2 A History of Massage -- Chapter 3 The Effects and Benefits of Massage -- Chapter 4 Clinical Applications of Massage -- Chapter 5 Endangerment Sites, Contraindications, Cautions -- Chapter 6 Guidelines for Giving Massage -- Part II Western Massage-- Chapter 7 Western Massage Techniques -- Chapter 8 Joint Movements -- Chapter 9 Full-Body Western Massage -- Chapter 10 Regional Applications of Massage-Upper Body -- Chapter 11 Regional Applications of Massage-Lower Body -- Chapter 12 Hydrotherapy/Thermal Therapy -- Part III Contemporary Massage and bodywork-- Chapter 13 Myofascial Massage -- Chapter 14 Trigger Point Therapy -- Chapter 15 Lymphatic Facilitation -- Chapter 16 Reflexology -- Chapter 17 Polarity Therapy -- Part IV Forms of Asian Bodywork-- Chapter 18 Asian Bodywork Therapy-Theory -- Chapter 19 Acupressure Massage Integration -- Chapter 20 Qi Gong for Self-Care -- Part V Special Populations-- Chapter 21 Sports and Fitness -- Chapter 22 Mother and Child -- Chapter 23 Healthy Aging -- Chapter 24 Terminally Ill and Dying -- Chapter 25 Seated Massage in the Workplace -- Appendices-- Appendix A 25 Forms of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork -- Appendix B Organizations and Publications -- Appendix C Massage Licensing Laws in North America -- Appendix D Performance Evaluation Forms -- Appendix E Health History Forms -- Appendix F List of Figures and Tables -- Appendix G References and Additional Resources -- Interactive Glossary -- Index