Backache: What Exercises Work [Paperback]

Dava Sobel (Author), Arthur C. Klein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1996

What is the most powerful backache treatment ever developed to help prevent recurring back pain and restore you to a healthy, pain-free life?

The answer is exercise.

Exercise has:
Helped more bachage sufferes than drugs, surgery, or any other treatment--without dangerous side effects
Been widely prescribed by medical doctors and other health practitioners.
Been rated the best source of relief by backache sufferers themselves
Been uniformly supported by current medical research

Each exercise is explained in words and diagrams so that even a beginner can put together an individualized exercise program that works. Included are:

Exercises to relieve acute and chronic plain, plus preventative measures
Self evaluation checklists
Instructions for increasing activity levels
Tips on performing everyday activities without pain

Let Backache: What Exercises Work work wonders in ending your back pain. Only this book has the techniques you need.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It is estimated that 80 million Americans endure periodic bouts with back pain. Sobel and Klein, coauthors of Backache Relief , based this book on results of a nationwide survey of back-pain sufferers that looked at relative effectiveness of treatments. Clinical trials have confirmed the usefulness of low-back exercise programs, and among the 500 back sufferers interviewed, it was a therapeutic exercise program that offered the most help. This volume exposes the secret to remaining pain-free: learning--and sticking to--a well-designed exercise program. The authors have created a program that is neither too rigorous nor too difficult, addressing such topics as bed rest, chiropractors and muscle relaxers. They describe three types of exercises necessary to successfully combat back pain: (aerobic, to increase stamina and improve cardiovascular fitness); stretching (for limberness and to help prevent muscle spasms); and strengthening (to firm up muscles needed for good posture). The authors discuss how to assess exercise readiness and assemble a tailor-made program. Their guide is informative and well-written. The most effective medicine available to treat a back problem is exercise, and they present clear guidelines on how to implement therapeutic exercise to best advantage.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dava Sobel is an award-winning former science reporter for The New York Times and author of the national bestseller Longitude.

Arthur C. Klein is a survey designer and market research specialist. They are the best-selling authors of Backache Relief, Arthritis: What Works, and Arthritis: What Exercises Work. Both live in East Hampton, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (June 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312142811
• ISBN-13: 978-0312142810
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #571,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Back Pain

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved my life, October 27, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Solana Beach, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backache: What Exercises Work (Paperback)

I've tried them all. Every threapy you can think of. Was about to give up and submit to surgery. Got a book club catalog in the mail that included this book. Decided to try once more. One of he best decisions of my life. I could not do one situp or push at the time . . . without back pain. I do 75 pushs a day and hundreds of what the book recommeds for addominal work. Do yourself a favor and get this book. Follow the instructions explicitly. Good luck.

50 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fellow author, pain-doc recommends this book!!, August 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Backache: What Exercises Work (Paperback)

I have recommend these exercises to patients, but more importantly, they can benefit anyone who doesn't want to develop back pain in the future. Unfortunately our medical model is one of treatment and not prevention. I agree with another reviewer that consultation with a qualified physician is recommended for any type of chronic severe back pain, but there are very few cases I have seen, including patients who have failed surgical treatment, who have not been helped by some way in using moderate regular exercise. These are great exercises to reverse the effects that our sedentary working society foists upon us. I recommend this book strongly but emphasize the importance of dispensing with the "pain-gain" concept and embracing the a-little-bit-every-day-in-a-consistent-manner-without-pushing-to-discomfort paradigm. Kudos to Dava Sobel and colleagues for an excellent write...May I recommend "The Care and Feeding of Your Brain" as a companion book for helping deal the distress, depression, and other cerebral manifestations that accompany chronic pain...All the best!! Kenneth Giuffre MD, author, "The Care and Feeding of Your Brain"

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No nonsense approach for back pain relief, October 17, 2000

By 

John Gillin (Huntington Beach, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backache: What Exercises Work (Paperback)

I have struggled for years with acute back pain. Reading Sobel & Klein's book gave me the answers I was looking for. After getting X-Rays and an MRI revealing that 4 of my discs were herniated from one degree to another. I made an appointment with a trained physical therapist and we set to work on a plan of stretching & strengthening the key muscles. Bingo! I have never felt better. M.D., Mary Pullig Schatz's "Back Care Basics" is excellent as well with an emphasis on Yoga the mental approach for successful rehabilitation.