Maggie's Back Book: Healing the Hurt in Your Lower Back [Paperback]

Margaret B. Lettvin (Author), Ruth McCambridge (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 1977

For back pain sufferers who haven't found real relief elsewhere, Maggie's Back Book offers a way to live without pain. It includes special exercises and tips on performing everyday movements.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Maggie has designed a program that can be easily followed." -- Ralph H. Bender, M.D.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (January 26, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395251478
• ISBN-13: 978-0395251478
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Back Pain

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable information for most back pain sufferers., May 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maggie's Back Book: Healing the Hurt in Your Lower Back (Paperback)

For most back pain suffering which you feel is the result of 'pulling' a muscle, this book can offer a wealth of rewarding advice. The same applies if you feel your discomfort has been brought about by either stress or muscle spasm. Your back pain may be nerve related or the result of, for example, a car accident in which case professional advice is called for. For the rest of us...usually those like me who are carrying more weight than recommended...this book will do you much good to help you over those times when doing anything with your back brings tears to your eyes. For example, when my back is killing me, the thought of leaning over to brush my teeth is gruesome. You think if you lean over you will just keep falling forward. Maggie's Back book offers priceless advice about a wide variety of issues. I have used it since its original publication (1976) and have just ordered three more replacements to use as loaners to friends in need. They are rarely returned but that's okay since I know they have been put to good use. Definitely five stars. John H.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book!, January 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Maggie's Back Book: Healing the Hurt in Your Lower Back (Paperback)

If you are having back problems, read this book. I read an earlier edition a long time ago and have followed the recommended exercises ever since. The result: very few episodes of serious back pain in 16 years. Maggie was one of the first people to publicize the importance of exercise for dealing with and preventing back pain.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, January 19, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Maggie's Back Book: Healing the Hurt in Your Lower Back (Paperback)

In 1970 (yes, I'm somewhat of an old fart) I suffered from an acute case of lower back pain. Luckily, Maggie's Back Book was then widely available. It didn't hurt that at that time Maggie also had her PBS show "Maggie and the Beautiful Machine", and thus was well known (certainly, here in Cambridge). I read it while in bed, on my back, and in pain. I decided to resist the doctor's recommendation for a spinal fusion operation. The injury healed over time, with the help of Maggie's good advice.

Nowadays, I have learned to feel and control my lower back's posture (as well as the rest of my spine). I've added basic Pilates to Maggie's recommended exercises. I'm extremely healthy, with strong and supple posture. I count my blessings when I shudderingly consider where I'd be today had I given in the the orthopedic surgeon's recommendation.