Back Together: Hands-on Healing for Couples [Spiral-bound]

Andrew Kirschner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2005

An estimated 30 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time, and as many as 80 percent of Americans suffer from back pain at some time during their lives. Many seek relief through surgery, medication, and physical therapy. But self-help has a great appeal for those who'd like to learn to relieve pain at home without costly professional treatment. Now, couples, partners, and family members can follow safe, effective, hands-on techniques to help each other relieve back, neck, and musculoskeletal pain. Dr. Andrew Kirschner uses a clear, descriptive style and detailed photographs to demonstrate more than 30 easily accomplished techniques. He believes that "the skilled touch of a loved one can have a more positive, lasting effect on one's well being than any technique applied by a physician or therapist," and offers plenty of anecdotal proof in this exciting new book. More than 60 terrific how-to photographs (taken at the beach rather than in a studio, for a more accessible and upbeat approach) give a concise picture of how simple these techniques can be.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A foreword by the Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Dawkins, a first chapter entitled "This Is Not a Self-Help Book" and a first line that says "I hate self-help books" make clear the author's intention that this volume not be dismissed as a touchy-feely love fest. Rather, it's meant to be a practical, partner-based guide to understanding and treating back and neck pain. But it does cover topics outside the specific and scientific realm of pain: the very real "jealousy and resentment," for example, that can occur "when your wife's masseuse looks like Ricky Martin," reflections on "the joy and pain of couplehood" and how physical pain can change the nature of a relationship, and a couples' hand-holding exercise that even the author admits is touchy-feely). Still, it does provide straightforward information about why pain exists and when at-home treatment is not appropriate, detailed descriptions of hands-on techniques with illustrations and photographs, and informative explanations for why these techniques work. Kirschner also addresses lifestyle habits that can contribute to the alleviation of pain. The practicalities of this book, together with the relationship musings and encouraged togetherness, make it a feel-good read on many levels. Photos. (Jan.)
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From the Back Cover

Great Techniques That Relieve Back and Neck Aches

Back Together is the first book ever to offer couples safe, effective hands-on techniques they can use to help relieve a partner's back, neck or other musculoskeletal pain. Dr. Andrew Kirschner uses a clear descriptive style and photographs to demonstrate over 30 easy-to do techniques. They not only work, they also teach couples something truly special: how to heal each other.

The techniques are not only safe, but proven. Dr. Kirschner has been teaching them to couples for many years with outstanding results. His students have found that they not only reduce pain, but also the need for physician visits and medication. Try them and see for yourself!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 160 pages
• Publisher: Running Press (December 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762424036
• ISBN-13: 978-0762424030
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,363,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy for a layperson to follow, December 27, 2005

By 

C. Ingalls (Brooklyn, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back Together: Hands-on Healing for Couples (Spiral-bound)

Wonderfully written. Very intelligent & chock full of information, yet extremely easy to get into. Andrew Kirschner's ideas are very fresh & innovative. A user friendly guide to overcoming back pain. I was able to help my wife with the techniques, which are not complicated. A must read for anyone looking for a back fix without medications or surgery.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I like this book., December 23, 2005

By 

C. A. Boardman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back Together: Hands-on Healing for Couples (Spiral-bound)

I heartily recommend this book. The explanations are clear, direct and friendly. It seems like this guy really cares about couples helping each other get rid of pain, rather than complaining to each other or suffering more. I especially like that he is a physician, and that he covers other subjects - how pain works in the body, the everyday things we do that strain the back, etc. I've tried Rolfers, chiropractors, massages, yoga, and ... and ... and .... This is the first time someone has given ME the tools to reduce or eliminate the pain. It's definitely worth a try, and is a good read because he talks about his motivations for all this and it is pretty interesting.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for your back, December 22, 2005

By 

Talismom (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back Together: Hands-on Healing for Couples (Spiral-bound)

I don't do well with problems that don't have solutions, so my husband's chronic sinus headaches were making me insane. I tried the technique for sinuses on him, and I now use this on him regularly. It really helps, and it's great to be able to do something rather than just be annoyed that he's sick.

I sit at the computer a lot, so I like to have him work on my shoulders, and we both like the techniques for the lower back.

Great book, fun to read. Worth the price just for the Ricky Martin-lookalike story.