Possibly the most famous and widely used resource in therapeutic bodywork (required for national massage therapy certification), this beautifully written, detailed, and reader-friendly picture of how and why the body responds to touch is both scientifically reliable and inspiring. Furthering the presentation of recent research in biochemistry, cell biology, and energy medicine in the Second Edition, this new update includes advances in neurophysiology and physics, reconfiguring knowledge of mind and body, from "microgenesis"to "quantum consciousness."