An Introduction to Manual Therapy Principles and Practice

An Introduction to Manual Therapy: Principles & Practice A guide for osteopathy undergraduates and manual therapy students

This book brings together the theoretical foundations that underpin safe, effective manual therapy practice — the ideas and evidence that sit behind the techniques, rather than the techniques themselves.

Written by Simon Chafer, a musculoskeletal osteopath and lecturer at the London School of Osteopathy, it takes a holistic, biopsychosocial view of pain and dysfunction, guiding students through ten core areas: pain science, holistic practice, osteopathic principles, somatic dysfunction, posture, biotensegrity, soft tissue mobilisation, central sensitisation, patient management, and tissue healing.

Drawing on both classical osteopathic thought (A.T. Still, Irvin Korr) and contemporary pain and rehabilitation science (Melzack's neuromatrix theory, central sensitisation, the biopsychosocial model), the book helps students connect underlying mechanisms to clinical reasoning, preparing them to think critically about the patients in front of them rather than simply follow protocols.

Please note: this is a theoretical and conceptual textbook, not a practical hands-on skills manual. It does not provide step-by-step technique instruction, palpation guides, or treatment protocols, and should not be used as a substitute for supervised practical training. It is intended as a companion to, not a replacement for, hands-on clinical education.

Ideal for osteopathy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, and manual therapy students seeking a solid grounding in the "why" behind manual therapy practice.