Customer Reviews

Back Sufferers' Bible

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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.

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.

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.

Sarah Key's book came at a desperate time for my back and situation. I work as a firefighter in California and have injured my back several times at work. Despite being treated by several doctors, having done all the tests and been through all the conventional therapy, I found myself back at square one: on my back with spasms and taking medications. In fact my doctor had reviewed my last MRI and said that all there was to do was manage the flareups. Two days after this visit I was on my back in severe pain. Sarah Key's book provided language I could understand, a sensible explanation but most importantly an answer for the current emergency and a long term treatment plan--THAT IS WORKING. Whether you are at the end of your rope and without options or just beginning the back pain road, I can't recommend this book more highly.

I came across this book by chance and I think
its fabo - I have learnt more about my back in the
last 3 days than I have in the last year - every
health practitioner should have one!

Back Sufferers Bible by Sarah Key

Sarah Key and her books are invaluable assets to any
person with back problems or curiosity about human spinal
anatomy. Her books are clearly written and provide a good
foundation on basic spinal anatomy. She leads the reader
through basic concepts of posture in clear and easy to
understand layperson's terms. However she is able to
convey a concise picture of spinal function and
malfunction. She follows these anatomy lessons illustrated
with clear diagrams with a brief review of treatment
options for back pain sufferers and describes in detail her
own technique based on sound physiotherapeutic
principles. The detailed treatment of various back
problems are followed with descriptions of simple
exercises tailored to particular problems. These exercises
won't clear a problem overnight but with a bit of patience
are remarkably effective. Her books can be used as self
help guides but I strongly recommend an initial medial
evaluation to exclude more serious organic problems.
Then with an x-ray or two in hand it would be best to have
at least one visit with the guru at her clinic in Sydney,
Australia. Unfortunately for the non Australian readers this
might however be a rather expensive but very worthwhile
visit to the doc. Such a journey would however have the
additional benefit of visiting an interesting and beautiful
country. Medicos might not be to enthusiastic about her
simple treatments and might ridicule them but it is the
back sufferers task to decide on their best and most
effective treatment. In addition to a faithful program of
Sarah Key's exercises it might be worthwhile to have an
occasional session with a qualified massage therapist.
Such treatment will have the additional benefit to loosen
stubborn muscles not responding to well to exercises
alone. My own acquaintance with Sarah Key started
basically at the airport in San Francisco - my back
just 'went' and I was stiff like a board, unable to move and
in great pain. Pain killers helped to complete my journey
from New York to Sydney. This was followed by
consultations with an Orthopedic Surgeon and by advise of
a friend with a session with Sarah Key.
Even her first treatment provided enough relief to convince
a skeptic scientist to follow through.
With her occasional administrations during infrequent visits
to Sydney and the sometimes boring exercises I have been
free of any serious back problems and escaped the
scalpel. Sarah Key has devoted her life to the 'Back' and
many of us say thanks for writing up her story in such
clear terms.

...

The short version: My back locked up again after 2 years of treatment by doctors. Two days prior to being dropped to the floor in pain, I had been told by my doctor that there was nothing left to do but "manage the flareups." I found in the Back Sufferers' Bible language which I could understand, an explanation of my problems, a successful self treatment for the emergency and a plan for the future. I have been a textbook case so far for Sarah Key. I'm still new to her philosophy and treatments but the relieve from the spasms and pain is worth more than all the time and money I've put into this problem so far. I typed this pain free and on no medications five nights after being frozen in pain. I believe if anyone suffers from back pain, they need to seriously consider this book.

The long version: Five nights ago, I was riding in the back of an ambulance treating a stabbing patient going Code 3 to a hospital. After the incident I had a familiar pain in my low back. Despite taking medication, I had a night with little sleep and by early morning my back was "locked" with spasms and pain. I could not bend forward or stand fully erect without being nearly dropped to the ground. If this had been the first time, I would obviously have entered into the realm of conventional treatment with orthopedists, medications and routine physical therapy all the while being on disability. Unfortunately this was the second time.
I am 34 and work as a firefighter in California. I love my job and cannot imagine enjoying or doing anything else. Shortly after starting the job, back pain and discomfort would occasionally develop with varying degrees of severity. Medication and rest always took care of it. My hobbies were swimming, water polo and surfing which I did several days a week. Three years ago my back pain was becoming more frequent and more severe especially after one particular fire in 3/2000. Shortly after this incident I was getting up from a chair when I experienced my first case of back spasms with "locking." That is when I entered the conventional medical system including MDs, physical therapists, an MRI(showing herniated disk), pain and muscle relaxant medications, injections and countless hours in waiting rooms, exercising and worrying. In fact two days before my second "locking" episode, my doctor read my second MRI(taken 18 months after first) and said all that was left was to "manage the flareups" and more injections. I was stuck with a back that had basic wear and tear for a person ten to twenty years older than myself.
So here I was at the end of my rope with no options but to go on disability until I could work again and then survive day by day, hoping my back would allow it. When I got home, I was as angry and depressed as I have ever been, not to mention being in severe pain. Little did I expect that the Christmas present that had arrived when I was at work would be an answered prayer. Before even opening "The Back Sufferer's Bible", I disregarded the book as more "quackery." But I had little else to do but lay on the floor in pain. Immediately when the book opened I found myself: "The Acute Locked Back." That caught my attention and, as I stated in my short version, there was language I could understand, explanations which made sense, accurate descriptions of MY symptoms and experiences, a treatment for the emergency and a plan for the future. I am not exaggerating when I say, ABSOLUTELY everything that she said would happen as result of her exercising, stretching and manipulation recommendations came true. I'll never forget the first set of curl ups. In her book she states that the first curl ups may be slightly painful but it is not unusual to be pain free after the first successful set. BINGO!! When I was finally able to do a complete set, the pain was temporarily gone and came back later at a significantly reduced level. The results have been wonderful and I am tempted to push and do more of the same. But this is where Sarah Key really shows her level of experience and knowledge. She constantly stresses slow progress and restraint with ample warnings of potential but not fatal set backs. Right now I am pain free without medications AND BACK AT WORK. I doubt even Sarah Key would state my results after five days are the norm.
But my testimony stands for itself. Take it or leave it. I've done conventional medicine and appreciate the benefits it afforded me. But it was not enough. My osteopath helped me some, but I can't duplicate what he does or see him every day. If you're thinking that I've only been following her regimen for a short time, you are right. But who cares? If you're suffering from back pain, you need an answer. This book was truly an answered prayer for me. People may say that her theories are unproven or even harmful and wrong. Talk is fine, but for me I needed relief. I praise Sarah Key for being bold and sharing her experience. Furthermore I thank her for giving me hope.

I have just read Sarah Key's remarkable book, "Back Sufferers' Bible", and what a Godsend it is! I live with bum discs at both C5 and L5, and have made the endless round of doctors and therapists. But through it all, I have never - NEVER, I tell you - been offered such a lucid explanation of what is going on "in there". I suppose it is the engineer in me that craves to know how things fit together and how things work. Ms. Key's careful descriptions, and especially her marvelous illustrations, have gratified that need a hundredfold. She is most correct, indeed, that "understanding is half the cure". The book simply brims with "understanding" and solid, practical advice. Sarah Key is to be thanked for giving this priceless volume to the back sufferers of the world. I recommend it without reservation.

I used to be able to fix my back with anti-inflammatories. The last attack saw me in agony for 2 weeks without improvement. Thanks to Sarah's exercise regime combined with anti-inflammatories I was back to walking 3kms in less than 2 weeks. It may not be the same for you which Sarah explains in laymans terms in the book. You may need a Doctor for the anti-inflammatories but the rest is up to you and best of all it works. No need for physiotherapy, chiropractors or repeat appointments or other quackery; just a quick trip to your Doctor for the anti-inflammatories and into the exercies and your away. She even gives you exercises to keep your back healthy so hopefully you don't ever have back trouble again. If you're having or have had in the past any sort of back pain or trouble then "Sarah's Bible" will fix it. Thanks Sarah you saved me and my back.

If you suffer from back pain, buy this book. You will not regret it. This is the absolute best book on the subject I have come across. Sarah Key describes the back mechanics thoroughly yet in easy-to-understand lay person's terms (and with a refreshing dash of humor). She describes how backs go bad and what you can do about it every step of the way. The illustrations are wonderful. You will get an understanding of what is really going on back there-although if you are kind of a dummy like me, it may take several readings to fluently grasp the concepts and terminology. It is worth the effort. Another reason why you need this book is the exercises. She recommends a rather simple method of spinal decompression that has improved my back situation considerably....