Customer Reviews

3 Minutes to a Pain-Free Life: The Groundbreaking Program for Total Body Pain Prevention and Rapid Relief

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have lived with chronic pain for the last three years. I am old (58:) and very active physically. I have suffered pain that would normally be associated with having severe lower disk problems or maybe a pinched nerve - plus my low back muscles have been very painful. I work out carfully every day. I have had 4 MRI's in the last year plus a bone scane. I have seen a Neuro Surgeon, chiropracter(s), Orthopedic surgeon, family doctor, spinal surgeon and two physio thearapists. All of them have been helpful in some ways but no one can really help me or tell me what my problem is. My disks are fine and I have no pinched nerves. I purchased this book along with Framework. I read 3 Minutes 1st and started the exercises. I am completely pain free! I still find it hard to believe. It is over three weeks and I awake every morning wondering if my pain is back. I do the exercise for atheletes and have added a lower back exercise plus one for elbows. The total time is 4 1/2 minutes. I should mention I always warm up on my bike 1st so my muscles are able to accept any stretching. Plus the reading of FrameWork has helped in my weight workout. I have already recommended this to a friend and he is having similar results. The only reason I did not give it a 5 star report is that I believe he should have said more about warming up 1st and the book would be as good as FrameWork if he had added to the content to help those of us who are very athletically fit. But it is a great book and you will not regret purchasing it.

Seven months ago I experienced a very painful episode with my left knee. I was not aware of any causative event, but suddenly I could barely walk. I tried every treatment and product imaginable. I had an MRI, consulted two orthopedic surgeons, and briefly considered surgery as my only option. This was after spending hendreds of dollars on products (knee braces, heat and cold wraps, herbs, ointments, etc.), and trying acupuncture, physical therapy, massage, and a host of other therapies. I was unable to exercise, gained weight, and began scanning Modern Maturity magazine for walking aids! Then, my daughters gave me a copy of the book, "3 Minutes to a Pain-Free Life", and I started to do the six therapeutic movements outlined in the book. I've been doing them daily now for a month and I have regained considerable mobility. I was able to start an exercise program and I'm amazed that I can now walk and exercise without pain. I even had my back go out on me, and I immediately did the specific stretches the book recommended. By the second day I was able to stand tall and move without debilitating pain. Another bonus of the book is that it is a highly readable layman's text of Anatomy and Physiology. I learned a lot about my body in the process of healing it. I plan to buy this book for everyone I know who struggles with chronic pain.

Hardly a "revolutionary" program for those who have read anything about the muscular-skeletal structure of the human body, the interrelations of muscles and joints, and the importance of keeping the muscles stretched. But the author does offer an inviting, simple, and feasible set of six exercises which, if done religiously every day, 30 seconds per exercise, can prevent further abuses and damage (the title's apparent promise of restoration or a "cure" seems a bit exaggerated). Compared to the impossibly long list of tedious, often painful and exhausting exercises given me by my PT, Dr. Weisberg's program is cause for a sigh of relief.

Well over half of the book is devoted to anatomical discussions, motivational talk, and testimonials rather than the program itself. The heart of Dr. Weisberg's advice is the familiar "use it or lose it." The author practically demonizes the chair and the unnatural "C" shape that it encourages. The idea is to align the body to its natural center of gravity, producing the "S" curve. Anyone who finds it excruciating if not impossible to assume the squat position (maintaining balance on the heels is the challenge) or the split (only in my dreams) may be frustrated by the book's program of exercises. All others should benefit.

My problem: hip bursitis and piriformis syndrome. I'm three days into the stretches that this book recommends. Already I've received more pain relief than I ever got from anything I tried before, including physical therapy, acupuncture and a cortisone injection. I'm very hopeful that I will soon be pain-free.

Update: five months later, my piriformis syndrome is very much under control. I'm back to working out on a stair-climber, back to long walks with the dog, back to being able to sleep w/o pain killers. I still get twinges of pain, and must continue the stretches, but I'm so much better.

I have four fractured vertebrae in my back which are not healing very well (age may be a problem), I read this book and started doing the small exercises and within a week I could see and feel a difference. The amazing part was in the fact that I could move from very easy to a little more difficult very effortlessly. I started this book and the exercises with zero expectations and am more than pleased.

Unfortunately, I developed some sort of infection which has prevented me form continuing even these short exercises, but I am really looking forward to beginning again as soon as possible. What a Difference They Make.

I appreciated the educational aspect of this book a lot. I learned a lot about the parts of my body (always wondered what the difference between a ligament and a tendon was). Also the chapter on the different classes of pain-killers was useful and I understand more fully how they work, possible side affects, and know now which one to choose. As for the program of stretching, I think it is great. My only wish for the book was for some info on obesity and how to work the exercises when you're just too heavy to do them correctly. I fudged and used some of the alternatives for "seniors" that worked, though. All and all, a very helpful book and I look forward to regaining my flexibility and reducing pain as I work the program.

I've lived & used Yoga for decades. I've also taught modified classes for others with physical constraints. That's why I'll address those thoughts. Due to early trauma and how my body responds to same, I've had spinal fusions and more. I've used most healing modalities, worked with top pain clinics, used western and alternative treatments. Both worlds can hold many of us hostage. I stay active as able but have continued to live with severe chronic pain, all while being self supportive (I work) and practicing pro-active health care. I sceptically picked this book up off a shelf in a science museum. It came home w/me. Whether it's the order in which the simple moves are done, the consistency , the short time spent in each TMI, the tests along the way...it doesn't matter. What matters is that it has helped ease my pain. That's my bottom line. I've shared the book w/others who live with similar problems. They've each added to their own success rate. It's an worthwhile tool for the boxes of each who lives with disabling pain or wish to avoid entering that world. The angry Yoga practitioner writers may have missed a point that often long hours of even the healthiest moves can create discord. It's how any asana is used, and the time spent in same, that can add to or deplete our well being. Even herbs can harm if used incorrectly. My vote is....give it a try. These TMI's may be adapted by almost everyone.

P.W.

I am a 60 year old woman with Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis. I have been in chronic pain for 13 or so years. I've tried everything...chiropractic, massage, acupunture, pain medication, chinese herbs, hypnosis, magnet therapy, myotherapy and much more. I came across this book in the library and I was skeptical but interested in what the Doctor had to say. Well, I implemented his program (I figured I could do anything for 3 minutes) and although I had a hard time getting into 2 of the therapuetic movements, after about 3 weeks I am starting to notice a difference. I am so amazed. I still have pain but it's getting better all the time and I am able to move my joints and muscles better. I am very optimistic that this program will eventually get me pain free. Thank you Dr. Wesiberg.

Yes, the routine is adapted from Yoga,and yes, they are basic yoga poses but put together in a certain order and done every day, they are very effective for the amount of time spent. I got rid of a pain in my shoulder I'd had for 2 years using one of the book's suggestions - it is completely gone after maybe a month of simple stretching, not even every day - that alone was worth the price of the book for me.

Do you think because you exercise you're less likely to get injured?
Wrong - you're MORE likely to hurt yourself.
Do you think lifting weights or taking an aerobics class "is the same thing as tending to the biologocal needs of your muscles and joints"?(quote from Dr. W).
If you're like me and my 40 something friends with joint pain you may have found this is not true either.
This book is upbeat. One book I read says "back pain is the price we pay for walking on two legs". Dr. W insists we are not defective by design. In fact our back is perfectly designed. We just neglect to maintain it. Did you know our muscoloskeletal system is made to last for 120 years? This book gives hope in what can be a hopeless world.

His "3 month tuneup" will clearly show you your problem areas.
His "Encyclopedia of Pain Relief" gives simple TM's (therapeutic movements) which only take a minute or two to do and effectively target exactly what your problem is.
Dr. W explains how chronic pain is from tissue being irritating not damaged (as in acute pain) and is a result of microtraumas which slowly build up over years of misuse or neglect. Then one day, our shoulder goes out. Well it didn't go out in one day. It's been building up for years.
As a dancer with experience in NYC, full splits, hand stand pushups, pistols, 25+ chinups, blah, blah; I can say this book ferreted out problems and gave simple exercises for my shoulder, feet and back problems.
Don't expect this book to fix a bad back but it's a start.
I recommend Dr. DeNubile's "Framework", Pavel Tsatsoline's "Beyond Stretching", and "Pain Free" by Pete Egoscue but none are as simple and easy to follow as this book.