Customer Reviews

Healing Back Pain Naturally: The Mind-Body Program Proven to Work

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would give this book 6 stars if I could. The yoga-based exercises Dr. Brownstein describes and illustrates so clearly saved me from the expense, pain, and risk of a lumbar laminectomy to remove a synovial cyst at the right L4/L5 facet joint. I didn't even know I had a back problem until I had an MRI this spring. All my symptoms were in my legs and hips, beginning with intermittent pain and numbness a few years ago, then progressing to fairly severe sciatica last fall. I was not incapacitated, but just moving around for daily activities was at best unpleasant. It was not fun to have severe cramps in my gluteus, along with sharp, shooting pains down the backs of my legs, and numbness in my toes and soles of my feet. I was advised that surgery was the only long-term solution. I attended Dean Ornish's Preventive Medicine Retreat in mid-April, 1999, where I met Dr. Lee Lipsenthal, and asked him if he had any knowledge about lumbar cysts. He strongly recommended Dr. Brownstein's book. Participants in the Retreat were given some instruction in Yoga, but Dr. Lipsenthal said Dr. Brownstein gave many more stretches aimed specifically at relieving back pain by developing better muscular conditioning. I consulted a surgeon on April 20, and scheduled a lumbar laminectomy for May 17. I bought a copy of Healing Back Pain Naturally on April 22, and began practicing the Yoga positions. On May 3, I was still having significant pain. I could not carry a box of newspapers weighing 25 to 30 pounds out to my curb for recycling without stopping to take the weight off my spine. I started doing the stretches twice a day for about 45 minutes each time. The following Sunday, May 9, I carried six 50-pound sacks of salt from my car to my water softener and poured them into the softener - WITH NO PAIN OR DISCOMFORT. I continued the twice-a-day regimen, and decided on May 11 to cancel the laminectomy. As a scientist, I find it difficult to believe that something so simple can have such a profound, immediate effect. But I am almost completely free of symptoms, and those I have left are mild and confined to my right leg. Nothing, including the program recommended in this book, will work for everyone. But if you have back problems, buy a copy, pay careful attention to the disclaimer at the beginning, consult your physician, and, if your physician approves, try Dr. Brownstein's recommendations, including those on diet and stress reduction (the latter are essentially the same as Dean Ornish's program). No other book I have read has so powerfully affected my life.

The words echoed in my ears, "you need three (3) fusions immediately!" To tell the truth, I was so frightened by what the Doctors were telling me, that I began to feel histerical. I had originally gone to the Doctor because of an unrelenting pain that seared down my right leg and exploded into my upper right foot. I also had incredible pain in my hips and lower back. All of this was just an ongoing problem that I had experienced for years but had exhilarated just recently.

I did have the MRI done and then the nightmare began. As Dr. Brownstein says, "The medical community has gotton too good at showing us all the ugliness within our bodies." And with that information, they encouraged me into full blown back fusion surgery.

Being a Metaphysical Student I just knew that there must be a better solution for me. During that week, a local talkshow host had Dr. Brownstein scheduled to be on the air with him. I learned about this and listened intently.

I bought the book - read it - and began the first series of exercises. I told all five Doctors that I didn`t have anything to lose if I did this first, after all, I could always have the surgery.

Within one month, I was feeling 40% better,and within another month I was almost 90% better. I`m not saying it was easy as it will be an ongoing process the rest of my life, but I can live a pretty normal life without pain. I walk four miles a day - swim for 35 minutes and stretch and strengthen by back with the exercises. It`s a good life and I thank God that I had the opportunity to fine the book and learn about this alternative before the three fusions.

Needless to say I give this book five stars because it has truly given me my life back. THANK YOU Dr. Brownstein!

I am not a big believer in alternative medicine, but after an MRI showed a ruptured L-5 disk, (and the doctor suggested surgery)I chose to explore other options. Luckily, my internet search led me to Amazon's reviews of Dr. Brownstein's book and I decided to try his methods before pursuing surgery. I can only say that the results are miraculous! After six months of mild to excruciating back and leg pain, I am now 95% pain -free; off all painkillers; and I've resumed walking 3.5 miles daily. The idea of these simple stretching exercises as a "cure" seems so far-fetched to me that I can only urge back-pain sufferers to give this a try! I felt significant results in a matter of days! Thank you, Dr. Brownstein (and Amazon, too!)

I have two herniated discs and one bulge. Off and on, over the years, some sort of movement will cause one of these guys to throw my back out for a period of weeks or months. If you're reading this, you know what I'm talking about.

My wife found this book at the local library. I was sceptical - hey, give me a break, yoga? But I was at the willing-to-try-anything-by-then stage, so I started doing the author's stretching exercises. Within a couple of weeks I was pain free. That was three or four years ago, and my back hasn't gone out since. I do six of his exercises every morning before I shower - takes all of five minutes. Closest thing to a miracle cure I've ever seen. Highly recommended; the author is a hero.
- jkw

To the author, a great big THANK YOU! I have read dozens of books about back pain, been to physiotherapists and doctors, taken medication and tried numerous exercise programs, and nothing worked. However, thanks to this book, I finally have relief from long-term, chronic back pain.(Herniated disk in lower back.)

This book is worth the cover price just for the exercises alone. I have been completing the Phase 1 exercises on a daily basis and already I can put on my socks and pants with ease, bend over to dry my feet when I get out of the shower, easily get in and out of bed without pain, etc. I even sat through a 2-hour workshop today and felt no pain when I stood up. This would have been impossible previously. For example, a couple months ago, I went to a restaurant with friends and when I stood up at the end of the meal, I felt so much pain in my back and hip that I could not stand up straight. Not now! I can stand up straight and I am pain-free.

I will admit to having some doubts about the mind-body connection referred to in the book. However, it is all so well presented, that I am willing to consider it. That aside, I think the exercises alone provide so much pain relief that it is still a very valuable book. I am going to buy it to give to a couple people as gifts.

This is a very well written book with lots of information incompassing a good body/mind approach as well as the authors personal plight with back pain. If you are already familar with yoga, fitness, excerice, holistic and natural lifestyle then this book will have little new perhaps to offer. It is a great book for those who are unfamilar or who have been on the periphery. The excercises are nothing new!!!..its basically yoga. This "miracle" or "special" excercises sell is getting to be very tiring and misleading after awhile..for this buyer at least. I would caution use of the excercise that has you hang you head over the bed backwards as there are certain health conditions where that moments blood pressure to the head could cause problems and also it can introduce neck strain. Also on page 111 is a very dangerous movement and egronomically terrible. Most people get over because their body is relatively healthy and can withstand the wrong movments but no benefit is of gain. The demonstrator is totally off posture jutting his head, belly out. That knee back bend postition is popular one...also good to snap your knee cap or over/wrongly stretch ligaments. Most people will do this excercise wrong just in terms of the body alingment. On the other hand it is quite awkward in of itself not to mention no benefit or injurous to the back!. This brings me to the next point. To do these excercises you have to be NOT in enough back pain to be able to do them. These excercises require enough flexibily and bending not available at some stages of back pain. Its good though that reading some other reviews people seemed to be able to benefit even if a stiff start in the beginning. The downside is that doing excercises just because you can doesn't mean you are doing the right thing for your body. Be sure you are at the best stage of progress or healing. The book however, offers much precautions, encouragements, sound councel and tips throughout the book several times over in a various ways. It is a very good book not withstanding what is abovementioned about it that I find not helpful and as mentioned at the beginning of this review is good for those who would like a comprenhesive look in a new direction for themselves.

Suffering from crippling back pain recently, for the first time in my life, I was desperate for a solution, and knew it would have to be a long-term remedy because as a naturally active person, I never wanted to be so disabled ever again.

While waiting for this chosen book (the "Naturally" part of the title caught my eye) to arrive in the mail, I was treated by a chiropractor and out of desperation, ingested a few muscle relaxing pills. Nothing I tried, worked...until reading this back-saving book of hope.

"Healing Back Pain Naturally: The Mind-Body Program Proven To Work" is written by a medical doctor who keeps his promise to any who seriously seek a workable, long-term plan of back pain relief and maintenance thereafter.

Dr. Art Brownstein, having "been there, done that", even undergoing back surgery in his quest at ending many years of back pain and problems, knows back pain intimately. In his experience, we are granted both his medical knowledge and the formulas compiled, first for himself, later tried, tested and true for his many patients and readers.

My favorite chapter of the book was "The Back To Life Stretching Program" because the exercises really work, and I continue to refer to them at least twice a week in order to keep all that surrounds the spine strong and flexible. Each exercise is understandably explained and includes a photograph of the exercise in progress as well as its benefits, from a medical standpoint. For instance, the "Cobra Pose" stretch "...helps to open up the disc spaces while stretching and strengthening not only the back muscles, but also the abdominal muscles, which help to support the spine from the front."

"Healing Back Pain Naturally" explains the connection between accumulated stress, ill-feelings and bad habits to the manifestation of back pain. Dr. Brownstein equally gives many workable solutions to these banes of our lifestyles in a way that makes much sense.

The holistic patient/reader will be treated in a kindly way and invited to join his own body's healing with tips in eating right, given natural supplements and herbs specifically for healing, deep relaxation techniques, taught to listen to their own body, including pain's lesson/message, and many more tools, bits of knowledge and practices for a healthier lifestyle.

Being a well-written book offering hope and help, I plan to keep this one around. It was worth every bit of its price and then some.

I was skeptical when I first heard about the book, but had nothing to lose by trying it out. I'm so glad that I tried it out. It has been 17 days now that I have been using the suggested stretching exercises, every day since day 1 I've improved noticeably. Less pain, more flexibility. More strength, less hesitation to try things (bending, moving, etc.). I feel more like me again and it has only been 17 days. I'd say I'm 90% back to health. I have had several back and neck injuries during my life, and this summer they all flared up again....I spent the last several months with pain in my lower back, legs and arms. Not fun. I'm only 34, but was feeling more like 104. Although I was doing the exercises prescribed by my physical therapist and doctor last year, they weren't really completely effective. I was doubtful whether this book's exercises would be much different, but started them anyway, in addition to my existing exercises.

Let me tell you...start off slow and do only the first set of exercises as recommended in the book. I was surprised that they do work, and if you take your time, you will be able to start adding stretches from section two shortly. I am doing all of section one, and most of section two every day now, and feel wonderful. Can't wait to start adding in section 3 exercises, but I need to keep going slowly as the book advises.

The othe element that I am finding essential is to alter your state of mind, and way of thinking. Dr. Brownstein does give meditation suggestions/instructions in the book, and I am following those too. They are amazing. I also began reading books by Norman Cousins who documents the postive effects meditation and postive thinking can have on a body. It is factual, not just mumbo-jumbo. It's like this: you know that stress can cause ulcers and all sorts of nasties...turn it around and you'll realize that happiness can lead to all sorts of good health. No joke. It takes some work to get yourself turned around, but if you keep working at your attitude and your feelings toward life in general, you'll soon find it easy to be more cheerful, and that you will be able to have confidence in your body's ability to regenerate itself. When you're not deeply stressed out, your body can do some serious healing. This book helps us average people realize how much we can do for ourselves. Take it easy and slow and I think you'll be shocked how beneficial this all is. What do you have to lose? Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

There is no escape from back pain EXCEPT for this book! I thought I was doomed for a life of pain and pills. I thought I would never excercise again, play with my kids or just go for an afternoon walk. Dr. Brownstein's methods have saved my life - literally. Anyone who has suffered with the worst back pain knows the depression which comes along with the pain. I would go on campaign for this book if I could - that is how great it is. I have bought a copy for my parents and plan on giving it as gifts to others I know who suffer as well. You will feel your body come back to you, but you have to be faithful in your stretches and excercises, it is so worth it! I wish I could thank Dr. Brownstein personnally, so that is why I have written a review of his book. THANK YOU! BUY THE BOOK, BUY THE BOOK, BUY THE BOOK!

Doctors insisted I needed surgury to relieve the pain, tingling, & numbness caused by a herniated disk between the C5-6 vertebrae (neck). After following the exercises and other advice in Healing Back Pain Naturally, I've resumed karate training, and the tingling, pain, and numbness is a thing of past.

If you have back or neck pain, or related symptoms, don't get surgury until you follow the advice in this book for at least 3 months (no matter what doctors may tell you)