Customer Reviews

The Back Pain Book

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Wow. I can't believe how easy this book was to read and follow. The illustrations make it simple to be sure you're doing the exercises the right way, which is so important when you're dealing with back and/or neck pain. The text covers immediate pain relief, good moves/bad moves for everyday activities, and strategic exercises for long term improvement. The really great thing about this book is that is was written by a Physical Therapist with real hands on experience in working with people with back problems, so you know the recommendations and exercise program are sound. My only regret is that it doesn't have a companion video, which would be neat; and my only complaint is that the book does not lay flat when you want to keep it open to a particular page while you do the exercises. Otherwise, I highly recommend it!

This book has suggestions for both neck and back pain. If your pain is so severe you have trouble with everyday tasks or functioning as I did when I first got this I highly recommend this for you. It has continued to help me with moderate to slight back pains as well as helping me not to throw my back out again. I would also suggest that you get an electric massager with a long enough handle to massage the muscle spasms away and also try floating in a swimming pool (get a cheap membership at the YMCA!) because it will really help to relieve the pressure causing the pain. Other items I found helpful in my recovery are "AM Yoga" with Rodney Yee and "Stress Relief Yoga" with Suzanne Deason.

Book-full of treats for those back/neck pain sufferers (and those who are not)!

User-friendly book with easy-to-understand guidelines, helpful illustrations, cross-references, and an incredibly organized Index! While it may be especially helpful to those suffering from back pain, the stretches and moves are easy enough for anyone to incorporate into a daily routine (always check with your physician before starting an exercise program). The author gives myriads of helpful hints on 'good' and 'bad' moves for all different positions. Relief with the right breathing, cold and hot packs, massage, whirlpool, self-massage, and electric stimulation are also recommended on an as-needed basis. Tips are given on how to manage everyday activities at home as well as work, outdoors, travel, and bed time. My personal favorite is Chapter 5, on lengthening, strengthening, and aerobic exercises. All the `good moves' mentioned along with the `bad moves' to avoid, and suggestions for balancing the alignment, are extremely helpful.

The last section of the book, the work-out outline with plenty of drawings, is titled as 'exercise for individuals with low back/neck pain'. I believe this program can help anyone, regardless of chronic pain or not. Occasional sufferers as well as those with healthy back can use it as a preventive measure. The pictures and directions are so very clear, any one should be able start and maintain this program.

I first got this from the learning centre at MD Anderson Hospital, Houston, TX. I liked it so much I decided to buy it and then 4 more for family who suffer with back pain. This is one of the best books I have seen for a long time. Rather than being a book to read, think of it more of a bad back instructional manual and you will know what it is. The only complaint is that this is printed in India - don't get me wrong - very good quality, but could be bit cheaper (I calculated the Indian price ticket!).

The book itself is page after page of helpful pictures accompanied by explanatory paragraphs of what to do and what not to do to protect your back and/or relieve pain/avoid pain starting in any given situation (nothing is excluded!). Not too much to read nor too little, so that you can't understand - perfect!

One thing that impressed me about the book too, was that at the end it has a 'notes' section where it guides you to think about all the things you do that make your back worse or better, record them, and then practice doing the things that make you feel better as part of your daily life program.

For example I find that after washing plates I am so stiff in my lower back that I can hardly move around, but I automatically slowly bend and stretch to relieve it. This book focused me on making this same movement part of my exercise program and it has helped. Simple, I know, but I am always looking for effective, however simple. I am usually pretty good about doing this sort of thing for myself, but this book gave me lots of new things to practice. It also shows how to avoid the stiff back while washing plates in the first place.

I personnaly was a patient of Mike....he had a way of helping find a way to help remove the pain & work at developing an exercise program that would have your ligaments & tendons bring that all about. He was like the "Michaelangelo" of Physical Therapy. Each patient was a challenge to him & he truly worked with each patient's relief. He will truly be missed!

This guy really knows his stuff!! It's as if he's there talking you through your back pain problem. Thanks for the help!!