Customer Reviews

Treat Your Own Back

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The title of my review may confuse you. Let me explain. I found this book to be so effective in eliminating my back pain and actually helping me do it without medication or injections or surgery, that I am mad that every doctor does not recommend this book or at least the concepts and exercises to everyone suffering from low back pain.

I've been diagnosed with a focal disc protrusion in l5-s1. After even 1 hour of work, I would go to extremely painful and moving like I was 98 years old. Sitting was torture too. I couldn't stand, yet I couldn't sit, and I was in agony.I then discovered this book. ( Actually, a physical Therapist recommended I read it.) So, during my routine day, when the pain and discomfort became extreme, I would sneak off by myself, and do these exercises. It was like a shot of pain killer each time I did. At first, it only alievated the pain for about an hour or 2. I was admittedly repeating the exercises about 8 to 10 times a day. Then, the effects became more and more permanent. Today, I worked and only needed to do them twice. I'm on my way to a full recovery. So there you have it. I was suffering BADLY for about 2 months with no noticable improvement. After 3 weeks of doing what this book told me, I not only see the light at the end of the tunnel, I feel the bright rays shining on me. One more thing... I am in no way paid for saying this, and have no connection with the publishers/authors of this book. I'm just a person so happy to be feeling a lot better, that I want to spread the word. . .

"I first became acquainted with McKenzie's Treat Your Own Back in 1984 when, as a practicing dentist, I was completely incapacitated with low back pain and sciatica and unable to work. This easy to understand book enabled me to get well and remain well to this day. As a dentist who treats TMJ Disorder, I have recommended this book to hundreds of my patients. Why? Because people who suffer from TMJ Disorder (also called TMD) must understand that proper body alignment, posture and specific exercises are an essential part of their treatment plan. In my recently published book, Taking Control of TMJ: Your Total Wellness Program for Recovering from Temporomandibular Joint Pain, Whiplash, Fibromyalgia and Related Disorders, MeKenzie's work is emphasized. I continue to give copies of Treat Your Own Back to friends and patients who are suffering the crippling effects of low back pain. A friend who recently had suffered back pain and sciatica for weeks sums it up so well:"It's just like magic; relief was almost immediate, in three days I was totally without pain."

My rheumatologist recommended I read and follow this book before he refers me to a physical therapist. I have arthritis in my spine, degenerative disks, scoliosis. I also have a confirmed diagonosis of fibromyalgia complex, with myofascial pain syndrome. After having to cease taking ibuprofen because of reflux disorder, the problems in my back began to surface, big time. Visits to an osteopath for "manipulation" brought only temporary relief, often only for 24 hours or so.

I received "Treat Your Own Back" the afternoon following the worst night of my life - a really bad flare-up of all the above problems. I began with the First Aid page - following the instructions to the last period, including repeating the exercises every couple of hours. I slept very well that night, and altho it took another three days to obtain significant relief (meaning I didn't have to walk with a cane), the pain did centralize and became very manageable with the prescribed pain relievers. I am totally impressed!

I am an artist who has had to re-think all my methods for producing my art, including standing at an easel or counter to paint or sculpt. Exercise #4 has been a god-send for preventing back problems and re-alignment following an art session.

Obviously, the problems in my back are the kind that "Treat Your Own Back" can resolve. I would recommend using this book with your physician's knowledge and understanding of the exercises.

I am a Physical Therapist who uses the McKenzie approach to low back and neck pain. I was introduced to the techniques during one of my clicical affiliations as a student. I can honestly say that there have been very few patients that I have treated that have not been able to find relief with this technique. "Treat Your Own Back" is a wonderful resource that I issue to the majority of my patients in conjunction with their treatment and home exercise program. The book includes a basic, but thorough review of spinal anatomy. Also has very easy to understand text accompanied by pictures explaining the text. I highly recommend this book; however, if one does not achieve relief with this technique, or if thier symptoms increase or travel to another area, it is crucial that they consult with their physician and/or physical therapist.

I am on ten to sixteen airplane flights a month. I know muscle and back pain. I have an eight inch scar in the middle of my back to prove I really know what back pain is. Two or three times a year I spend a week on my back in bed. Until a few months ago. No more! All of the exercises in the book are easy to do. However, the section on what to do right after you know you hurt your back has been a backsaver. When you do dumb things as I do, you know right away when you have done something you shouldn't have. The last time I did this, I followed the directions in the book and continued painfree in my day and had none of the normal three or four days of pain. I could sell these door to door. Get it! It will be the best money you ever spent.

About six months ago I was doing quite a lot of weight lifting which was slowly weakening my back. Being on the high school track team I decided to try the running long jump for the first time. When I landed in the sand my lower back gave out and for the next six months I had a dull pain that would stay with me all day, everyday. Some Days my back felt better than others and sometimes it seemed that the only retreat I possibly had from the pain was bed rest. I spent an incredible waste of money on chiropractors that did absolutely nothing for the pain. I was beginning to become depressed because I couldn't do cross country in the fall, and going to work and school felt like going to hell and back everyday. I felt like I was too young to have back problems and I was seeking advice from everyone I could turn to. Then a student teacher of mine told me that a friend of his was using Robin McKenzie's book on how to treat your own back. It took about four or five weeks for the pain to go away, but if I hadn't discovered this book, I'm sure the pain would have lasted many more months, if not years. McKenzie's book tought me very effective techniques for treating my lower back pain and how to prevent it from reocurring. If you buy this book, it is important to be patient with the techniques described. When first starting out, there should be an initial increase in the amount of pain which I experienced. If this pain increase does not go back down to how it was after about a day or if the pain becomes worse, consult with a doctor or physical therapist immediately. This was a very helpful book and I recommend it to anyone with lower back pain. It wasn't untill my back was damaged that my whole life cam into perspective. Nobody should deserve to live with chronic back pain.

IN THE FALL OF 2001 I WAS BED RIDDEN FOR 3 WEEKS WITH ACUTE SCIATICA. THE PAIN HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVLY WORSE OVER 6 MONTHS UNTIL ONE DAY I JUST COULDNT GET OUT OF BED. I LITERALLY CRAWLED TO BATHROOM. I WENT TO A CLINIC AND GOT A SHOT FOR PAIN AND SOME PAIN KILLERS BUT THE PAIN WAS OVERWHELMING.I WENT TO A CHIROPRACTOR TO NO AVAIL (HE SEEMED TO MAKE IT HURT MORE) I CALLED AN ACCUPUNCTURIST. I WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO STOP THE PAIN. I HAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE AN ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR BUT THEY WOULDNT SEE ME FOR 3 WEEKS. ANYONE WHO HAS GONE THROUGH THIS TYPE OF PAIN KNOWS WHAT MISERY IS. I ASKED THE NURSE AT THE ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR'S OFFICE WHAT I COULD DO AND SHE RECOMMENDED ROBIN McKENSIE'S "TREAT YOUR OWN BACK" . THAT NURSE WAS MY ANGEL OF MERCY. MY WIFE WENT AND GOT THE BOOK AND I STARTED SLOWLY DOING THE EXERCISES. I HAD BEEN MISERABLE FOR MONTHS AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE PAIN WAS TOLERABLE AND WITHIN A FEW MONTHS I WAS PAIN FREE. IT HAS BEEN 5 YEARS NOW AND I STILL DO THE EXERCISES AND ENJOY AN ACTIVE LIFE OF TENNIS AND GOLF ABSOLUTLY PAIN FREE. YOU CAN TREAT YOUR OWN BACK AND I AGREE WITH ONE OF THE OTHER REVIEWERS. THIS BOOK SHOULD BE A MUST PRESCRIPTION FROM EVERY ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR. ( BUT THEN THEY WOULDNT BE ABLE TO PLY YOU WITH PHARMACEUTICALS)

I had a herniated disc at L5-S1 in 1988 at the age of 33. I did not want to have surgery and found a wonderful physician who gave me this book. It saved me from surgery then and continues to be 'my friend' if I have a flare up. I have lent it to so many people and the last person didn't return it...so I am buying it again. The exercises and information on posture and lordosis maintenance are my back Bible. I am so grateful that my doctor was willing to forego surgery and gave me this book to educate me and help me heal myself. Get it, read it, use it!

I saw three doctors about my slipped and herniated disks before one sent me to a physical therapist who recommended this book. I lost about six weeks of this past summer to excruciating pain that ever Percocet could not dull. Through following the advice on posture and stretching in this book I am now pain-free and have returned to my daily activities plus working out, mountain biking, skiing, and more. I also own two McKenzie lumbar support rolls and got my boss to buy the book too. He's also become a 'McKenzite'.

As a physician I have treated thousands of patients with low back pain. It wasn't until I experienced a herniated disk myself did I truly understand how debilitating this condition can be. McKenzie's book was given to me by a physical therapist and while reading it, I was amazed how it hit the nail on the head over and over. This is truly one of the best medical books ever written for the lay public and practitioner alike.