Back Sufferers' Bible [Paperback]

Sarah Key (Author), Prince of Wales (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

This text for back-pain sufferers charts an easy-to-understand model for the way the human spine breaks down, starting off with commonplace totally reversible conditions (which 90% of us have) and progressing to more difficult ones. The author reveals that most backpain starts from a simple linkage problem between two spinal segments - something so benign that it is often overlooked. Because of the structure of the spine and the way we live our lives, the spine gradually gets worse, passing through five progressive stages of breakdown. This book describes how each stage manifests itself, and sets out a logical course of treatment. It explains all the exercises; how to carry them out; and the common pitfalls of each one. It explains when you need medication and when you need to rest in bed. It is intended to lead you by the hand out of your back problem and to help you do the fixing yourself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sarah Key's exercises really do work." -- HRH the Prince of Wales

About the Author

Sarah Key is a trained physiotherapist and founder of the Sarah Key Physiotherapy Centre. She is the author of Back in Action and Body in Action.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited (Australia) (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1865083216
• ISBN-13: 978-1865083216
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,479,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air, February 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Back Sufferers' Bible (Paperback)

I just wanted to say thankyou for the back sufferer's bible. I have sufferred from minor back problems for years. Last year it got a lot worse and I spent many painful days getting many different opinions from doctors & trying to understand my problems. Unfortunately I didn't "discover" the back
sufferrers bible for many months. When I finally did (4 weeks ago) it was like a breath of fresh air as it really agreed with many of the feelings I had about my own problems and clarified a whole lot more. I sufferred from what was diagnosed as an L4-L5 prolapse and spondylolysis of L5, but feel that this is not quite correct or not the whole story. I was recommended for
surgery due to sciatica and loss of feeling in my left leg, but managed to avoid it by getting a second and third opinion. I am steadily getting better via self help, but have some way to go yet.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Wilderness, September 8, 2004

By 

Roger W. Barnes (San Antonio TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back Sufferers' Bible (Paperback)

After years in the wilderness I found Sarah Key and the Back Sufferers' Bible. I have been to hell and back with my back pain ....spent the last 2 years with a string of neurosurgeons, PTs, and Chiropractors and none has taught me more or helped me more than this book. Sarah explains how the back works (with great diagrams) and how it goes wrong and concrete steps to help yourself. I had a spinal fusion 10 months ago and have had a tough recovery. None of the exercises my PTs gave me provided the relief that Sarah's did. Following her protocol I had significant relief in a matter of days. It left me wondering where the hell has the rest of the "back world" been....she's got the answers. Noone else I have encountered gave me as much information or specific help....and she did it all the way from Austrailia! I am a true believer in her program and give this book and her methods my highest recommendation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Back-Sufferers Solution, May 15, 2002

By 

Dr. WD Ashton (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back Sufferers' Bible (Paperback)

Sarah Key has managed to achieve the formidably difficult task of writing about a complex subject for a lay audience, with remarkable clarity and style. Her books contain a wealth of up-to-date information on all aspects of back care and she has taken the trouble to provide an excellent overview of the basic functional anatomy of the spine - essential background information if you are to manage your own back problems effectively. As a practising physician myself, I have learned a great deal about the management of common back conditions, including my own. Importantly, Sarah Key's avoids making claims which cannot be substantiated and, where the scientific evidence to justify one approach to treatment rather than another is lacking, she is not afraid to say so.

As an author myself, I know how difficult writing for a lay audience about a complex subject can be. The general rule is that if you don't really understand it yourself, you cannot possible communicate effectively with the audience you are trying to reach. Sarah Key's writing has a clarity based on a deep understanding of her subject, combined with a passion for making effective back care available to everyone - yes, even doctors! So, if you already have a back condition - or would like to avoid developing problems in the future - this book is definitely for you. And for any physicians reading this review -buy these books and keep them in your surgery. Your patients will benefit enormously.