Overcome Neck and Back Pain (Paperback)

by Kit Laughlin (Author) "This chapter covers our approach to self-diagnosis of neck and back pain, and is based on the process we use in the Overcome neck &..." (more)
Key Phrases: final stretch position, straightening effort, looser side, Practical Stress Management (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

If you suffer from back pain, as 85 percent of Americans do, you may think there is no way to bring about a complete end to your pain. Books, videos, and even doctors offer ways to manage the pain, but not to stop it. Finally there is a solution. Overcome Neck & Back Pain, the international bestseller, provides a means to end your back pain permanently through an easy-to-follow four-part program of structural analysis and correction, stretching, strengthening, and relaxing.

Kit Laughlin spent years suffering from back pain, and, in search of relief, even traveled to Japan, where he found the solution. Using the principles of hatha yoga, he developed a combination of Eastern and Western medicine that provides a way to stop back pain and even protect oneself from future injury.

Through clear, instructive photos and easy-to-follow instructions Overcome Neck & Back Pain shows the beginner how to use stretching, strengthening, and relaxation to end the pain. Overcome Neck & Back Pain also provides instruction in more advanced techniques, with an explanation of the principles behind the movements. The comprehensive text offers solutions for athletes and nonathletes, old and young alike.

If you've given up hope of curing your back pain, Overcome Neck & Back Pain provides the sensible solution you need.

About the Author
Kit Laughlin studied oriental medicine during a five-year stay in Japan and, on his return to Australia, was the Japanese ambassador's personal shiatsu practitioner. In 1988 he was asked to treat the prime minister of Japan during his visit to Australia, the first time a Westerner had been asked to provide such a service.

Laughlin was awarded a Master of Letters degree in 1992 from the Science Faculty of the Australian National University, and currently is doing research for a Ph.D. dissertation in which back pain is the key case study.

Laughlin originated the Posture & Flexibility and Strength & Flexibility courses that have been run by the Australian National University Sports Union for the last eleven years. Assisted by fourteen teachers whom he trained, Laughlin has taught these courses to thousands of students of all ages and levels of fitness, with proven results. He is the presenter of the acclaimed Overcome Neck & Back Pain seminars and the author of a forthcoming book, Introduction to Posture & Flexibility.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684852527
• ISBN-13: 978-0684852522
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,469 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #16 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Pharmacology > Pain Medicine
  #19 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Backache
  #20 in	Books > Science > Medicine > Pharmacology > Pain Medicine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great exercises, well illustrated. It worked for my back., August 6, 1999

By A Customer

It can be very difficult to live with constant pain and tension in the back. I am 33 years old, physically fit and I love sports. That makes having back aches and stiffness all the more difficult to accept. I would try, weightlifting, massage, Yoga, and finally chiropractic. These all helped but I would still get muscle stiffness and I could see that one hip was higher than the other (a sign in my case of muscle spasm).

I really believe that you should be able to control your own body. Especially muscles. The thought that I had upper back muscles in spasm and I could not relax them infuriated me. Kit Laughlin's book helps you to step back from the pain, review hip posture and strenghten weak muscles. It takes you through a lot of well illustrated exercises designed to gently stretch lower back and neck muscles. The first time I tried his exercises I found a marked improvement. Yes, in the past, I had been given exercise sheets, many of them, but none of them came close to making me feel like I was getting control of the problem.

I am now using Kit's strengthening exercises. I know that no matter how long I sit at a computer or abuse my back, I'll still have a set of exercises that will relax my back.

If you are prepared to work on your back and exercise instead of accepting defeat, then this is the book for you.

I don't know if it will work for you, but it was just what I was looking for.

Good luck!

John Jackson

After experiencing back pain and stiffness for long periods, I sought the help of a chiroprator.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A self-service guide to relieve neck and back pain, June 8, 2000

By	Carol Wenzel (York, U.K.) - See all my reviews

I had the pleasure of training with Kit Laughlin and other Posture and Flexibility instructors. Prior to learning Kit's approach I often experienced muscle tension in my neck, shoulders and back. Starting with the very first lesson, I learned specific stretches which eliminate tension in these muscle groups.

In Kit's first book, `Overcome Neck and Back Pain', he introduces a self-service approach to relieve neck and back pain through improvement of whole body suppleness. He demonstrates stretches targeting not only muscles in the neck, shoulder and back, but also muscles in the pelvic area and legs which influence back pain, as the reader will learn. Specific back strengthening exercises are included to help the reader build up the muscle strength needed to maintain good posture and prevent back pain.

I have seen students of all ages and levels of flexibility benefit from using these techniques. Although a book can never replace hands-on instruction, this book will lead you on a path to overcome neck and back pain.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcome Neck and Back Pain, January 21, 2000

By A Customer

This book by author Laughlin is so good that my physical therapist borrowed my copy, and now I need another copy here at my house. After a painful "rearender" car accident, and having pain lasting more than two years, I didn't think anything could help the chronic pain in my neck and back of my head. Happy surprise: these exercises are very good. Warning: If you've been in an accident or had pain for a long time, go slowly, very slowly, with these exercises and they will almost certainly help and be beneficial. They are no miracle cure, but they will help! This is a wonderful and sensible book.