Books Authored by Laura Allen

Instructor Ancillaries for textbooks: Check the Instructor Ancillaries page for access.

Most of my books are available in both paperback and Kindle editions. Amazon has a free e-reader you can download in case you’d like to read it online without a Kindle. Amazon Prime members can read most of my books on Kindle for free.

Schools with an institutional account at Amazon may order books at a discount. If you do not have an institutional account with them, you may call 828-289-5047 or email educatedheart@gmail.com and I will order for you if your order is for at least 12 copies of the book. Schools should order one month ahead of your class beginning unless you pay for expedited shipping.

The FIFTH EDITION OF PLAIN & SIMPLE GUIDE TO THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & BODYWORK Plain & Simple Guide to Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Examinations, 5th edition will get you ready to pass the MBLEx or the Board Certification Exam. 700 practice questions that will help you ace the test! Expanded information in all areas of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, body mechanics, pathology, cautions and contraindications, professional ethics, business, and tips on how to study effectively and overcome test anxiety. Ancillaries available on the Instructor Ancillaries page on this site.

Advanced Strategies in Massage Therapy Education: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructors

Co-authored with Dorel Lacatus, owner of COMTA-Accredited European Medical School of Massage in Sinking Spring, PA.

Created for instructors, and directed at those who seek a career as a massage therapy educator. While it is primarily directed at those who wish to teach in entry-level massage school, it is also useful for those who want to be continuing education providers or those who want to teach community education.

This text is a step-by-step guide to cultivating excellence in the learning environment, including self-inventory, the introduction of the terminology associated with education, how to create a syllabus and lesson plans, cultivating necessary skills, and finding resources…and that’s just the first chapter.

Chapter 2 touches on the rewards and challenges in teaching adult learners, various educational theories, the importance of using and teaching critical thinking and research literacy, and the emotional components of learning.

Chapter 3 covers effective and efficient teaching and assessment strategies, including assessment of both teachers and learners.

Chapter 4 includes strategies for motivating and retaining students, including instilling a successful mindset and making learning interesting.

Chapter 5 is all about effectively managing the classroom with the least amount of stress for educators and students alike.

Chapter 6 covers the cultivation of professional skills and behaviors that are not only expected of educators, but that ultimately lead students to a successful career as a professional massage therapist.

Chapter 7 is about honoring diversity in the classroom, including the ability to teach students challenged by physical or learning disabilities, and those who have emotional disorders that may affect the way they learn. The point of this lesson is equality and compassion for everyone in the learning environment.

Chapter 8 is focused on using technology in the classroom and in the hands-on practice of massage therapy.

Chapter 9 introduces the skills, knowledge, and abilities that must be cultivated in order to be a subject matter expert in your chosen field. The importance of collaboration with colleagues and cross-teaching opportunities is also covered.

Chapter 10 is focused on the practical hands-on experiences in the classroom and clinic.

The features of this book include quizzes at the end of each chapter, personal stories shared by veteran educators about what they have learned in the classroom, and icons that call attention to helpful sections on classroom management, critical thinking, online resources, research, subject matter expertise, time management, and accompanying videos.

For those who desire to go a step further with their education, an accompanying Teacher Certificate Course is available online from European Medical School of Massage.

The Holistic Practitioner’s Guide to Business was originally published as A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Business. It was updated in 2021 to be more inclusive of other practitioners. Full ancillaries are available for instructors, including lesson plans, PPTs, and a test bank. With 382 pages, this text covers everything a practitioner needs to know from planning a business to retirement, taxes, business ethics, hiring and firing, and every possible work situation. Also helpful to those who are employees or independent contractors. Kindle Unlimited members can read for free.

ONE YEAR TO A SUCCESSFUL MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE 2nd Edition is full of no-cost and low-cost ways to market your massage therapy practice. Great for those who are just trying to get their business off the ground, or for “old hands” who feel like they need a revitalization.

Cultural Crossroads of Healthcare and Healing: The State of Modern Healthcare and Traditional Healing Practices (2017) While many people of the world have access to modern healthcare that is affordable and of high quality, others are greatly lacking in availability and accessibility of biomedicine; others have only whatever filters in under the auspices of humanitarian aid. Even countries that have the latest and best modern healthcare available have their indigenous folk medicine traditions and their healers. In some places, that’s virtually all they have to depend on, due to lack of accessible medical care. Cultural Crossroads of Healthcare and Healing is a look at the current state of healthcare in every country in the world: what is available in the way of modern medicine and how it’s paid for, cultural healing traditions, and whether there is collaboration, peaceful co-existence, or total lack of understanding between the two.

The Educated Heart, 5th Edition. Originally authored by my friend and mentor, Nina McIntosh, the 5th edition was released in July of 2019. She entrusted the new edition to me before her untimely death from Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2010. I am very honored that she entrusted “her baby,” as she always referred to the book, to me. It was my ethics bible in previous editions and I hope I’ve done it justice with the revision.

Clay & Pounds’ Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment published in October 2015. With over 500 new photographs and medical illustrations by the amazing David Pounds, this book revision was entrusted to me after the death of the original author, Doc Clay. It has been updated with research on pain science, and includes explicit instructions on massage therapy techniques for relieving pain. This book is now out of print, but occasionally used copies are available on Amazon for exorbitant prices (I don’t get any of the money).

Excuse Me, Exactly How Does That Work? tells the truth about a lot of things that massage therapists tend to get caught up in. Maybe YOUR therapist is caught up in them. Get the real facts about detoxing, ionic foot baths, juice diets, energy, and more.

The Days Still Left is the journal of Nina McIntosh (my mentor and the original author of The Educated Heart) as she was dying from Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). She laughed all the way to the grave. She also got her affairs in order, which is something we all need to do in time of health and wellness, instead of leaving our loved ones to deal with it when they’re in shock. There are some good lessons here about dying and handling your end of life affairs.

Nothin’ Fancy: Good Food and a Few Funny Stories draws on my 20+ years of cooking for the public and being a restaurant owner. Over 80 recipes of good Southern home cooking and anecdotes that will have you rolling!

Books Compiled/Edited by Laura Allen