Historically, musculoskeletal disorders (in particular,
those that originate in the spine) have been very poorly understood. Dr James Cyriax, an
English physician (1904 – 1985), recognised this and developed what he referred to as
orthopaedic medicine – a systematic method of examination and treatment designed to
address these problems. Since then, a number of specialists (in particular Geoff Maitland)
have built on this work.
Orthopaedic medicine is covered (in brief)
in our section on Treatment. For those
who wish to learn about the system in detail, however, a number of books are available
(listed below). The most important, or seminal, books are noted first, with the remainder
listed in alphabetical order (according to the author's name).
Core Reading
Cyriax's Illustrated Manual of Orthopaedic Medicine
Author: J H Cyriax
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann Medical; 2nd edition (Dec 1996)
ISBN: 0750632747
Textbook of Orthopaedic Medicine
Author: J H Cyriax
Publisher: W B Saunders; 8th edition (January 1982)
ISBN: 0702009350
Maitland’s Vertebral Manipulation
Author: G D Maitland
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann; 6th edition (November 21, 2000)
ISBN: 0750624477
Peripheral Manipulation
Author: G D Maitland
Publisher: Butterworth Heinemann (March 1991)
ISBN: 075061031X
Neck and Back Pain:
The Scientific Evidence of Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Editors: A L Nachemson; E Jonsson
Publisher: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (August 2000)
ISBN: 078172760X
Cervical and Thoracic Spine:
Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
Author: R A McKenzie
Publisher: Orthopedic Physical Therapy Products (June 1990)
ISBN: 095977467X
Lumbar Spine:
Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
Author: R A McKenzie
Publisher: Orthopedic Physical Therapy Products (February 1989)
ASIN: 0473000644
The Spine:
Basic Evaluation and Mobilization Techniques
Author: F M Kaltenborn
Publisher: Orthopedic Physical Therapy Products; 3rd edition (1993)
ISBN: 8270540528
