A must-have book for understanding one of the most fundamental areas of physical therapy: the nervous system and its relationship to musculoskeletal pain

Osteopath, lecturer, and author John Gibbons offers an accessible introduction to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). In addition to offering real-world case studies and guidelines for hands-on work with clients and patients, The Vital Nerves demystifies everything from diagnosing nerve conditions to understanding how cells communicate.

Gibbons provides critical insights into the structure and functions of the PNS; the body's response to stimuli and how it knows what to do; the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems; the stress response; and the use of reflex testing to aid in diagnosing conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and paresthesias. The Vital Nerves addresses practical, common considerations such as these:

• Assessing the nervous system using a patella (reflex) hammer, myotome (muscle) testing, and dermatome (sensory) testing
• Determining whether pain in the posterior part of the thigh is caused by the sciatic nerve, the piriformis, or simply a hamstring strain
• Deciding at what level a disc may have herniated
• Differentiating between upper and lower motor neuron disorders
• Knowing what to do with the findings of your neurological assessment and the circumstances under which to refer patients to a specialist

The Vital Nerves is a comprehensive road map to the functional anatomy of the nervous system. Enriched with anatomical drawings and detailed explanations, it explains neurological testing, common neuropathies, and differential diagnoses. It is an indispensable resource for physical therapists and bodywork practitioners.