Customer Reviews

Overcoming Back and Neck Pain: A Proven Program for Recovery and Prevention

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After 20 years of increasing back, neck, knee and hip pain, I finally found something which helped! Due to surgery for a previously broken leg and eventual back surgery to remove two badly ruptured discs, I had patronized what seems like a dozen physical therapy offices over the 20 years.

Not until several years ago when I walked into Kare Therapeutics in Smithtown, NY, did I understand that by comparison, the other offices couldn't even be spoken of in the same breath. The author of this book, Lisa Morrone was my therapist. She began by assessing contributing factors to my pain and remarkably began addressing things which had NEVER been mentioned by other PTs.

It was a revelation when I realized one day, that I was pain free for a few hours. I hadn't had that experience in perhaps 15 years! (I was shocked to learn that even after back surgery, the pain was reduced, but not banished.)

Only by following her recommendations and exercise program, my pain free hours stretched to days and now years. I purchased her book to use as a blueprint for lifelong maintenance of my now pain free back. She has included key advice, which I know REALLY does make a difference and I strongly recommend it!

I never understood people who complained of back pain. Then in 2005 I was cleaning the front courtyard at my winter home in Arizona and while bending over felt a stab of pain that put me on the ground, literally. I'm not exactly sure what happened or why; it might have been lifting those grandchildren, exercising improperly, or sitting at the computer too long without a break. It doesn't matter really, it happened. And I've struggled to recover since then.

Well, now I have a new friend to walk alongside of my chiropractor. It's Lisa Morrone and her wonderful book Overcoming Back and Neck Pain. It's a must have. Really. Don't just sit there. Go out and buy it. Now. Not later.

Morrone provides an easily read and easily understood practical book about back and neck pain for the patient! She outlines, from A to Z the basics about back and neck pain and then helps the reader adjust, adapt and recover. She also reminds the reader that there is a difference between restoration and repair. Repair is often the quick fix. The restoration is a gradual learning of new ways, new behaviors to regain strength and flexibility. Morrone gives the three keys to getting motivated: pain, knowledge and encouragement-and then passes on that knowledge and encouragement.

So, learn how to fix your posture, how to stretch, find out what can go wrong and be fixed with your discs, the correct way to move, and so much more. Her directions are clear and concise and are accompanied by photos to help do the exercises properly. It's helping me in ways I didn't think possible. I've a long way to go, but this is a marvelous beginning.

Watch for Overcoming Headaches and Migraines released in August 2008.

Armchair Interviews says: Every home should have Overcoming Back and Neck Pain on their shelf because in our society, the chances of succumbing to back and neck pain is probable.

This book is a great find. So many of these kinds of books are so full of medical information that it makes your head spin. However this book is so well written and the information presented so well that I found that I was reading it just to read it. The author is a Physical Therapist and speaker so the information is real world and very well presented. She comes across as having a great personality.

This book covers three main areas...education, self treatment and preventative measures for pack and neck pain sufferers. After reading the book, I have such a better understanding of my back and neck and all the muscles that contribute to making or breaking my back! The diagrams were simple and clear. It has become a great resource to refer back to! The self treatment exercises and stretches were accompanied by great photos and clear step by step instructions.

I loved the user stories of her patients that she has treated and some of the incredible recoveries...it helps me to feel that she "understands my pain". Great book!

I suffered with 2 herniated disks in my neck for years from an injury that started when I was a teen ager. It was cronic (pain/suffering) after I crushed my neck on an overhead wooden beam. I was told by a Chiropractor, after 5 years of 'maintenance', that I should have surgery and never pick up anything over 10 lbs!! This was not an option nor practical for me! Then I read this book. The exercises have not only reversed my injury, but kept me from future problems! They are easy to learn, simple to do and not at all time consuming. I not only can carry groceries and laundry baskets, but I can move furniture and shovel the driveway (my 10 lb. dog loves it, too)! I fell accidently up a flight of stairs, landed on my hands and felt the impact go straight up to my neck/shoulders. I thought to myself, 'That's it! I will have the worst pain (in the neck) or terrible headache tomorrow!' The next day came and nothing!!! This is such a simple book to follow and has definitely lived up to what it says on the subtitle: A proven program for RECOVERY and Prevention! Enjoy getting well!!!!

There is hope! I began reading Lisa's book at the same time I saw a spinal specialist for severe neck pain. The specialist offered me medications and injections (with considerable risks and side effects) and confirmed I did not have a condition that would prohibit exercise. It turns out that working at a computer all day, my posture had detriorated and aggravated the bulging discs in my neck causing months severe of pain and triggering migraines.

Instead of taking him up on those treatments which would continue indefinately and only be temporary, I began reading this book and following directions to correct my posture and the exercises. In just one week, I experienced considerable relief, and I am now, weeks later, I am having fewer migraines, back to a full exercise routine and sleeping through the night without pain. I'm also enjoying improved posture and have lost a couple pounds. Lisa's book contains excellent explanations about your anatomy that are easy to understand and will help you avoid pain. I now feel hopeful that I can control and prevent my pain.

A strong point in Lisa Morrone's book is her very practical approach--complete with photos!--to show exactly how to position and move the body for maximum benefit.

Another strength is Lisa's expertise. As an experienced therapist, she doesn't dispense armchair advice; she shares what has helped her patients!

Lastly--and to me, most importantly--Lisa goes beyond the physical element and includes the imporance of healing the whole person, including the spiritual element. I love that she not only recognizes the importance of the wholistic approach, but that she presents it in such a personable way.

After you read this book, you'll feel like you've made a new friend in Lisa, learned more about how the body parts (and spirit!) work together, and experience healing if you apply the information.

The author has done a remarkable job of communicating self-help tips in a way that caputures the reader's attention. The photographs and illustrations make it easy to comprehend and implement. Lisa takes a complex medical topic and breaks it done for all to understand! Everyone can learn something from this book!

I should have listened to the other reviewer that wrote "sinning causes back pain?". But they only referenced one prayer, and only one review that I saw pointed it out, so I thought, no big deal, and bought it anyway. It's FULL of religious references, God, Bible Quotes, etc. Really annoying. If I wanted a book about religion I would have gone to the religion section. Yes, there is plenty about back and neck pain, and honestly I have not read the whole thing yet. But the constant God and Biblical quotes are incredibly distracting and annoying for those of us who don't happen to be Christian. And the author suggests "not to skip any parts"... I don't think so. I am absolutely skipping past all the religious pages and I may very well be missing other important information in doing so. Which is why I would not recommend this book unless you are Christian and/or don't mind lots of Biblical stuff throughout a book that SHOULD be about it's title, back and neck pain. I don't need to know that God designed me to experience pain, I need to know how to fix it, so save the bible class for another book and stick to the topic! I'm not some anti-religious person either, I'm really not. I just don't happen to be Christian, and I didn't plan on spending my money on a Christian-oriented book. It should have been labeled as such. "The Christian Way to Relieve Back and Neck Pain" would have been a more suitable title.

Lisa's book is a must-read for anyone who has ever experienced back or neck pain - which I think is most of us! She provides common-sense tips that really work. She takes the reader through step-by-step instructions, with clear detail and great illustrations. Lisa is obviously extremely knowledgable on this subject but breaks it down so that a lay person can understand it. Great book!

When I first got the book I turned to the index to see what topics were covered. No index, but instead I found that the author credits our sinful natures, guilt, and shame with causing our back pain. She even includes a prayer "Jesus, I acknowledge I am a sinner, etc." Not don't get me wrong. I'm not anti-religion if that's what makes a person happy. But it occurs to me that anyone who believes in the efficacy of prayer is probably already praying like crazy for their back pain to go away. And those of you who are Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist, I guess you're out of luck.