Book excerpt: Developed in the late ’70s by French osteopath Paul Chauffour, Mechanical Link is a gentle manual therapy that encourages the balance of tensions in the fascial system—that complex web of tissue that interconnects and affects all other body systems. It spreads throughout the body uninterrupted, providing physical stability while also allowing flexibility and mobility. Based on the principle that traumatic stress affects the interconnecting tissues of the body by forming patterns of tension called lesions, Mechanical Link therapy has successfully treated fibromyalgia, migraines, asthma, and other conditions. Extremely popular in Europe, it is rapidly gaining adherents in North America. This book, complete with 44 black-and-white photographs and 20 color illustrations, is a comprehensive manual for diagnosing and treating patients. Mechanical Link therapy is guided by the body’s own wisdom about its unique needs. The work stimulates to the body’s self-corrective responses, promoting normal mobility, tissue tone and posture. Mechanical Link brings tension into equilibrium and allows the body to return to optimal functioning ability, so all its systems can improve—including the immune system. Mechanical Link helps alleviate a range of illness, pain and dysfunction, including: •Fibromyalgia •Indigestion •Migraine Headaches •Premenstrual Syndrome •Asthma •Chronic Fatigue •Motor-Coordination •Impairments •Chronic Neck and Back Pain •Central Nervous System •Disorders •Emotional Difficulties •Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) •Stress and Tension-Related Problems •Orthopedic Problems