Customer Reviews

Treat Your Own Back

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I was given this book by a physical therapist after I was diagnosed with a bulging disk. The pain was excruciating for several months, and I had to stop running and even driving long distances. Tried painkillers (they put me to sleep), cortisone shots (worked for a couple days but was worse as that only treated the symptom), and when a doctor told me I had to accept my pain as chronic, I refused to believe him. I refused more shots or medication and continued the exercises detailed in the book several times a day for months ... until one day I realized I was actually pain free! I'm 43, in good shape, and I am running again, dancing and sometimes wear high heels. The book seems to be controversial, but it worked for me when nothing else did!

Purchased for a friend who was nearly suicidal with pain after injuring her back. Countless trips to Doctors and MRIs did nothing and she was living on pain pills. Well I bought her this book. She began the exercises and was walking and generally feeling better in three weeks. She continues the program and continues to show progress. It literally saved her life.

The book does clearly state that for some people..the extension position might be harmful. That was the case for me. While I ended up on crutches (for the first time due to severe increased pain) I do not blame the book. Just be extremely careful. When I began...I actually felt some relief WHILE in extension at the start, but it would hurt worse as time spent in the position increased. And I hurt worse when I got up. So...it only took about 3 times of that before I became non-amb. w/o crutches. Then it took perhaps 6 mo. with the help of a good chiro. (traction, ultrasound and manipulation at 1x week) before I was out of pain. It's been 2 years since that incident and I've not had any diffficulty since. I totally avoid any extension positions beyond that which occur naturally in walking (even freestyle swimming puts noticible pressure on my LB due to the extension of bouyancy. Back stroke and floating are OK).

Best wishes and prayers to anyone combatting back pain. I'm a fairly strong and positive person. But after being in chronic pain for several months with difficulty and pain in EVERYTHING I did, including breathing, I fully understand the severe depression and mounting hopelessness chronic pain brings. When I began to have thoughts that living like that would be impossible, in spite of having young daughters, a great husband and great job...I became very scared.

Keep searching for an answer. I went through 3 chiropractors and much time before I found the right one. Keep your faith, keep your resolve, keep on praying and keep on trying.

Shelley M.

THIS BOOK HAS GIVEN ME A WAY TO MANAGE MY LOWER BACK PAIN AND HIP PAIN AND MORNING STIFFNESS, I AM A YOUNG 62 AND I GARDEN FROM MORNING TIL DARK I LIFT BIG ROCKS AND MOVE SOME REALLY HEAVY STUFF, I AM ALWAYS SORE SOMETIMES CAN'T STRAIGHTEN UP BY NIGHT AND ROLL AND CRAW OUT OF BED, ROBIN MCKENZIE 'S BOOK IS SO SIMPLE AND REALLY WORKS I DO THE FIRST THREE EXERCISES EVERY MORNING AND THE FOURTH ANYTIME I START TO HURT WHILE BENDING OVER WEEDING, IT'S LIKE A MIRACLE HOW QUICKLY I CAN BE PAIN FREE.

I had a lumbar laminectomy (L5-S1) in 1990. My neurosurgeon was very aggressive in post-operative treatment and had me in physical therapy after two weeks. This book was one of the first things I was given at the clinic. The advice in this book was invaluable in keeping me relatively pain free today at age 41- 17 years after my surgery. I still follow the advice and exercises in this book because the misery of lower back pain is something I remember vividly and want to avoid at all costs. It covers everything from proper body mechanics, preventative exercise, sources of back pain, kinesiology, specific exercises depending on your particular type of pain, and many other topics.

It's important to mention that there are a minority of surgeons who do not subscribe to the McKenzie method so check with your doctor before buying the book. I don't know what their reasoning is but everyone that I went through p.t. with had positive results as a result of aggressive treatment and the information in this book.

I only wish I had this book before my injury got so bad as to require surgery. Get the book.

It works!!!

I'm a physician and have no conflicts of interest financially or otherwise. My back/neck problems began while moving boxes and furniture in the transition to medical school. It eventually healed, but this started a series of injuries from any significant use of my back. Each episode took longer to heal, and the pain became more severe. An MRI showed bulging discs. Several rounds of conservative treatment and education on exercises by my pcp didn't help. Several rounds of physical therapy (PT) were unsuccessful. Next was referral to the surgeon. The neurosurgeon felt surgery wasn't called for and wanted me to try physical therapy. So I was unhappy about this and told the surgeon how I felt and that PT had already failed. He encouraged me to continue, and he would have me see his PT who specialized in backs.

This new PT had copies of McKenzie's books in the treatment room. The book was used during our exercises. She asked me to get the book and practice at home. Using the book while in the office, MADE IT SO EASY. I never had to return for another session. The pictures made everything so simple to follow. Many of them can be done without any changes to your schedule. I didn't need to go to the gym. The exercises can be done while in the shower, while in the office at a desk, or while watching tv at home relaxing. Many are lifestyle changes like bending at the knees to pick up something on the floor or correct seating/sleeping postures. AND THEY WORK!

I treat many people with chronic pain and ask these patients to get the book. Very few patients will buy a book and follow the instructions when a physician tells them to. People want quick fixes. But there are none. Eventually a few will get the book and half-heartily try it. And when the do, IT WORKS!

These are great resources for any type of clinician/medical provider to educate their patients. Education on proper techniques of posture, sleeping, and any type of movement is the key to preventing problems. Acute problems may need specific exercises based upon the location and type of injury. These books have all that. It's easy to read, not a lot of technical jargon. The pictures make the instructions impossible to make mistakes.

ANYONE WITH NECK & BACK PROBLEMS, PLEASE TRY THIS. ANY MEDICAL PROVIDER THAT HAVE CLIENTS WITH NECK & BACK PAIN, PLEASE TRY THIS. I can't keep a copy for myself. I wind up giving mine away each time I get a new one. That's why I'm writing this. I needed a new copy for the psychiatry office.

My orthopedist recommended this book and was the best prescription for my back problem!

I've done exercises for my sciatica for years.This book puts them in an organized,orderly plan and explains what to expect each step of the way.It was very helpful.One note,however.The back roll and slumber roll are essential to a sucessful outcome.

Whilst most of the stretches in the book are not new, and most have seen them before, the sequence seems to be key. This definately made my back 75% better, and probably would have done more if I have stuck to the exercises. I definately recommend this. A couple of criticism, the book is written very basically, however, it is organised so badly that as you read it, it starts off on certain exercises and then later on in the book tells you to only do them after you have done those exercises later in the book. It does not tell you this in the beginning so you can end up hurting yourself more in the short run. Even if you read the entire book first, it is very nebulous as to where several of the exercises fit in.
Other than that, highly recommended!...

Good, comparable to the author's similar book on Neck Pain in philosophy. A bit longer and more detailed than his "neck pain" book. Good results so far.