Outwitting Back Pain: Why Your Lower Back Hurts and How to Make It Stop [Paperback]

Ellis F. Friedman MD M.D. (Author), Abbi Perets (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004 | Series: Outwitting

Lower back problems are the most frequent reason for referral to orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and physicians specializing in occupational medicine. Eighty percent of adults will experience lower back pain during their lifetime. Obviously, there is a great need for an authoritative, friendly voice to discuss and help with lower back pain, and Dr. Ellis Friedman is that voice. In OUTWITTING BACK PAIN, Friedman acts as mentor and friend, in addition to offering sound medical advice to readers. It is written in nontechnical language and offers clear x-ray illustrations to help readers understand the structure and function of the back, how it can be injured, how the problem can be diagnosed, and the methods of treatment.

With chapters on: .

The Back: What it is and how it works .
The key to a successful diagnosis .
Getting to the heart of your back pain:
How the back gets hurt and what we do to learn what went wrong .
How we don't treat the back: What doesn't work--and why .
How we treat the injured back .
Back pain during pregnancy and after delivery .
Our backs as we age .
Staying out of trouble:
Preventive maintenance .
and Glossary, checklists, "What to Ask Your Doctor" worksheets, additional resources (Web sites and additional places patients can turn to for help), and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The best layperson’s guide for diagnosing and treating back pain.

Eighty percent of adults will experience lower back pain during their lifetime. And there is a great need for an authoritative, friendly voice to help them understand what’s happening with their bodies. Dr. Ellis Friedman is that voice. In Outwitting Back Pain, Dr. Friedman acts as mentor and friend, in addition to offering sound medical advice. He writes in nontechnical language about highly technical medical conditions and uses clear x-ray illustrations to help readers understand the structure and function of the back, how it can be injured, how the problem can be diagnosed, and the methods of treatment available. He also tells readers what not to do, and what common treatments simply don’t work. He covers back pain during pregnancy, and our backs as we age. With thorough advice on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat back pain, Outwitting Back Pain is a must for anyone who has ever experienced lower back pain.

About the Author

ELLIS F. FRIEDMAN, M.D., practiced for twenty-seven years as an orthopedic surgeon. He has lectured frequently to nurses, physicians, attorneys, and insurance companies on the topic of back injuries. He has testified in over 2,000 court cases involving neck and back pain for both plaintiffs and defendants, and has a great facility for describing technical material in language laypeople can understand.

ABBI PERETS is a professional writer on the subjects of health, parenting, technology, and business. She is a senior contributing editor with ePregnancy Magazine, and served as contributing author for two books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592284329
• ISBN-13: 978-1592284320
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,270,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Back Pan Book EVER!!, September 6, 2004

By 

Sarah (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outwitting Back Pain: Why Your Lower Back Hurts and How to Make It Stop (Paperback)

I have read a lot on back pain, including books that try very hard to convince you that you never need surgery for any kind of back pain problem. Well, this book is a lot more honest. This doctor tells it like it is. Some back problems will only go away if you have surgery. Other problems, you can fix with exericise and sometimes lifestyle changes. I love the drawings for the exercises!! And the x-rays are really helpful, because you can show them to your doctor and ask intelligent questions. GREAT BOOK!!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Helpful!, January 2, 2005

By 

Annabel (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outwitting Back Pain: Why Your Lower Back Hurts and How to Make It Stop (Paperback)

This book is so helpful. The doctor tells you what works - with lists of medicines and home treatments and exercises complete with pictures so you can be sure you're doing it right -- and what DOESN'T work. I tried some of the exercises, and they really work! And he tells you what to expect from your doctor. This is a SUPER HELPFUL book, and if your back has ever hurt, you should read it!

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Depressing and Pessimistic, September 9, 2005

By 

Beth B - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outwitting Back Pain: Why Your Lower Back Hurts and How to Make It Stop (Paperback)

I bought this book for inspiration on how to help my lower back/leg pain from a herniated disc. Instead it pretty much told me that I had no chance to improve without surgery and just surrender. It was a pessimistic book. do not get it....seemed outdated as well....pictures of exercises were confusing.