This is an essential, one-of-a-kind resource for gaining the skills and knowledge you need to provide safe, effective massage therapy to patients in acute care settings and private practice clients who are medically frail. As demand grows for massage therapy in acute care, many bodyworkers seek to broaden their ability to meet this important need. To paraphrase the author: For many touch therapists, massage is more than a job or a profession--it's a calling. With the knowledge gained from this expertly written book, you will be able to confidently provide massage therapy in the hospital, other care settings, and for clients affected by health problems. It's the ideal guide for student bodyworkers and practitioners, educators, hospital administrators, and a wide range of medical professionals. Includes these valuable features-- . Portrayal of how massage therapy complements medical treatments to increase comfort, improve clinical outcomes, and provide wholeness in both clients and those who care for them . An easy-to-use format that covers the most commonly encountered medications, medical devices and medical procedures, and their relationship to bodywork . A foundation for working in medical settings including hospital culture and infection control practices . Clinical Consideration sections offer discussion of common signs, symptoms, and conditions and often their impact on massage pressure adjustments, site restrictions, and positioning needs . Step-by-step guidance for planning and providing massage sessions, plus collecting and charting patient data . Recurrent "Teaching Tips" offer practical suggestions, such as building rapport with staff and the art of moving hospital furniture . Plus abundant illustrations, case studies, vocabulary, self-testing exercises, and much more!