Editorial Review

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Reviews (296)

Get rid of back pain - FOREVER
Hello All. I am 29 currently and I have had backpain on and off for over 9 years now. After a particularly nasty back spasm at the gym 2 years back ( where I could hardly walk), I was getting desparate. I looked at physiotherapy,and briefly at some other forms of exercise. I could not find lasting results anywhere and then I came across this book. It was god send. I read it in couple of hours flat. Re-read it next day. Thought a lot about what the author suggests are reasons behind the pain. It is generated from within and the cure also should come from within us. Anyone who thinks that cure CAN ONLY come fromoutside is going to be looking for a cure, the rest of their lives. I analyzed the book ( I am an engineer) and trusted the book.
5 years with back pain, no back pain for 6 years.
There I was, 18 years old, after exercising badly in the gym I developed back issues. An x-ray stated I had a back abnormality. For 5 years I had back pain, evey single day, mid to lower back pain. You know whats its like, the type thats always there.
Great Book!
Dr. Sarno is a true pioneer in regards to diagnosing and treating back pain and has made a tremendous contribution with his discovery of the mind/body connection for this condition. I did, however, as a number of reviewers have pointed out, after reading Healing Back Pain felt the need for additional steps.
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Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Healing    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Mind and body    7. Neck pain    8. Pain Management    9. Psychological aspects    10. Fitness & diet    11. Health & Fitness / Healing   

Reviews (50)

Least expensive tool to relieve pain!
I am a licensed Massage therapist in Hawaii.I stumbled upon Elaine's book and started using it for my neck & back pain.I was pleasantly surprised at how deep my muscles and spine could be worked while I did two simple things Breath and Relax.Although breathing and relaxing is simple it becomes more difficult the longer the balls are in one position and works deeper into the muscles.At that point I choose either to move positions or focus on relaxing further and deeper breathing to let the ball(s) work deeper.
Best gift for chronic pain
This little kit, is a really wonderful and inexpensive way to change your life. Like most office workers, sitting for 8 hours a day, gives a lot of lower back pain and piraformis syndrome.These balls are great to relieve the pain. The only warning I have is to watch how long you stay on the balls.In some areas of the book, she recommends staying on as long as you want.This can do damage if your body isn't ready for it.I made the mistake and did too much of a good thing.Release the muscles and relax into the balls, but remove them and relax some more.This is the perfect workout if you hold your tension, stress and emotions in your muscularture.If you do, and try the workout, you will be free, relaxed, and happy!
Pain free finally- I wish I had got this years ago! WONDERFUL !
I have been in very good shape most of my adult life.
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Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise    4. Exercise therapy    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Pain    8. Pain Management    9. Physical fitness    10. Stress management    11. Stress relaxation    12. Surgery - General    13. Exercise & workout books    14. Health & Fitness / Exercise    15. MEDICAL / Surgery / General    16. Popular medicine   

Reviews (47)

Essential item for people with back pain.
This book was recommended to me by a senior physiotherapist at my local public hospital.It contains an effective set of excercises and advice as to how to prevent and treat back pain.

This book changed my life...really.
I had severe back pain for most of my teenage years, but when I got to college my lower back hurt so much that it made it almost impossible for me to sit through lectures.The pain was so bad that I could hardly move from bed on many days.
Simple and effective
I had a severe disc herniation at L5-S1.My physical therapist recommended this book.In fact, I have had therapists tell me they are "McKenzie trained."The book is simple to follow and truly helps relieve my sciatic nerve pain.My therapist recommended doing the exercises every 2 hours if I have acute pain.I credit physical therapy and this book with saving me from surgery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    5. Exercise    6. Exercise therapy    7. General    8. Health & Fitness    9. Pain Management    10. Self-Help    11. Popular medicine   

Editorial Review

What causes chronic, debilitating back pain, one of the most common--andexpensive to treat--ailments in the world? According to Robin McKenzie, a NewZealand physiotherapist for over 40 years and author of the wildly popularself-help manuals Read more

Reviews (41)

Good read for those with back pain
Has stretches that definitely help reduce chronic neck and back pain. Recommended by my physician.Stunned that the chiropractor never told me about it!

Book Review of 7Steps to a Pain-Free Life
This book was written in a clear and straight foward style and packed with invaluable information for back and neck pain sufferers.
Good Health and a Pain Free Back
This book is much more than a few simple exercises. It taught me a lot of things, from why I should not be lifting heavy things first thing in the morning to what is the proper way to sneeze (looking up). Posture is extremely important.The pain will surely come back if the posture is not corrected, no matter how many exercises you do all these things was necessary for me to learn from this book.Read the book and learn from the advice about good posture etc,.So the book really helps me, and I completely recommend it.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Alternative treatment    3. Backache    4. Consumer Health    5. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    6. Exercise therapy    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Neck pain    10. Pain Management    11. Health & Fitness / Pain Management   

Reviews (29)

Extremely Helpful
I have scoliosis and this book has been a tremendous resource in understanding and caring for my condition. The book is a good start and it eventually got me interested in taking some yoga classes and exploring some of the different practices. I'm so glad I found this book; yoga has been a positive force in my life for some time now.

Real yoga, really good advice, well written
Lots of back pain books provide exercises, but this one takes them directly from the Iyenger Yoga method; Iyenger revolutionized Yoga from the 1960's to the present by applying contemporary knowledge of anatomy and physiology to the traditional and spiritual aspects of yoga.Teachers trained and certified in Iyenger Yoga are a 'cut' above others from my lengthy experience with Yoga practice. That said, dr. Schatz uses Iyenger's methods (Iyenger also wrote the intro) to design a comprehensive program for all types of back and neck problems; she also provides accurate and clear illustrations of the spine structure and related anatomy.The photos are very clear and easy to understand as are the instructions of asanas and restorative poses..The book is the right length, size and format.Many back problems can be treated.This book offers programs for many of them; also included is a self-analysis of one's own current posture and alignment.This is no quick fix book; the programs she recommends may take a couple of years to 'work' but it's definitely worth it to live a more vigorous, pain reduced or pain free life.

Review by former physiology instructor and past back pain sufferer!
This is my favorite book for addressing back pain issues.It presents a great foundation in the basic anatomy of the back and then uses this information to develop the concepts that help people understand why back and neck pain occur and how to correct it.
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Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise therapy    4. Hatha yoga    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Neck pain    8. Pain Management    9. Surgery - General    10. Therapeutic use    11. Yoga    12. Popular medicine    13. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (58)

Sports medicine
Runners, weight lifters, bikers, golfers, and other exercise buffs (I'm a runner) need serious guidance about injury prevention and how to improve your performance. I found this to be a great guide, not from an amateur enthusiast, but from a doctor who has seriously taken on the problem, even beyond the typical exercises I was familiar with from physical therapy over the years. And yes, they told me I'd likely have to do exercises for the rest of my life. And that's what makes this book so handy, you don't have a therpist with you day in and out.
Backsmart book
I have had recurring back issues for quite some time (12 years) and have done lenghty research to help aleviate pain and improve performance.With that being said, I found this book to be entirely too basic for me.Much of what's covered are sretches and abdominal and bicep exercises.....very little lower/upper back exercises.If you're an athlete or somebody who's been active consistently, you probably won't find your answers in this book.However, for older or non-exercising individuals, this book has decent basic guidlines and is decent starter information.

Great addition to any training library
No matter what type of exercise program you are doing or starting, this book will help you do it better. The pictures really help to get your mind focused on what's happening during specific exercises and everyone seems to agree that is a good thing. Great layout. When you are ready to vary your routine this book can help you by identifying substitute exercises for those you are unable to perform the exercises yet due to back or neck weakness/ pain or simply don't yet have the strength to perform them yet.
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Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Exercise    5. Exercise therapy    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Physical Fitness    9. Prevention    10. Fitness & diet    11. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Subjects:  1. Back Pain    2. Backache    3. Consumer Health    4. Diseases    5. Diseases - Heart    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health and hygiene    8. Health/Fitness    9. Medical / Nursing    10. Pain Management    11. Surgery - General    12. Treatment    13. Women    14. Women's Health - General    15. Health & Fitness / Women's Health   

Reviews (53)

Buy newer edition!
Dr. Sarno's concept is sound, but this is his first report, rather old.There are two newer books, the best of which, of course, is the 2006 "The Divided Mind : The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders", which I highly recommend.
don't waste your money
I should have listened to the people who wrote negative reviews, this book is a complete and total ripoff, it tells you nothing , save your money and buy a bottle of wine instead

Did I miss something?
Did I miss something?Clearly from the title alone Dr. Sarno believes tension and tightening of muscles is the cause of most back/leg pain.Where is the chapter that gives you steps to change this?!I didn't need to buy this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Pain Management    7. Physical Impairments    8. Health & Fitness / Physical Impairments   

Reviews (3)

GreatWork
I love the illustrations in the text
Good Resource
This book is a handy book for students and doctors a like on the subject of spinal pain and related symptoms assocaited with the spine. Detail chapters on imaging and cause and effect of spinal conditions and Dx process. Highly recommended, also recommend the Backsmart Fitness Plan by Dr. Adam Weiss, a complete full body workout that patients can understand and perform.

At last, one book for the management of back pain
This is an wonderful medical textbook devoted to the Spine.It covers everything from evaluating the back pain patient, imaging, and procedures.It is well written with great images.A must have the the practicing physcian with an interest in spine. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anesthesiology    2. Backache    3. Diagnostic Imaging    4. Diseases    5. Interventional radiology    6. Medical    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Orthopedics    9. Radiologic Diagnosis    10. Radiology    11. Rheumatology    12. Spine    13. Treatment    14. Medical imaging   

Reviews (11)

Good book - works for me
I'm a golfer that has frequently had some degree of lower back pain.Suffered a severe lower back strain four months ago.Bought the book and started the routine after that.It has made a big difference for me.My back feels better than it has in years.I strongly recommend the book.

A GOOD WHIPPING
This is an excellent book for dealing with this common problem afflicting so many people but it doesn't explain why Pilate ordered Jesus to be whipped. That is definitely not the way to relieve back pain!

Thoughtfulm, safe process, but does it work????
I felt that Dr. Vad's approach was safe and logical.He has you perform easy basic exercises for some time, and then graduate to more strenuous exercises.I must say, though, as someone is in pretty fair physical condition to begin with, I felt the exercises were too basic, and not at all challenging.There didn't seem to be an abundance of info on treatments or back pain causes either.I guess though, the real proof is, "Did it work? Did following the program letter for letter improve my back pain?"And, in my case, which of course is very individual, after following the program to the "T" for 8 weeks, it really did nothing me.Decent book, but I'm still looking for the magic bullet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative treatment    2. Backache    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Exercise Therapy    6. Hatha Yoga    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Pain Management    10. Pilates method    11. Surgery - General    12. Treatment    13. Yoga    14. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (12)

A 'must read' for everyone who deals with backs
Everyone who deals with backs, either in sports (athletes, coaches, trainers), physicians, therapists, and back pain patients themselves, should read this book. I am a physician who specializes in back disorders and back pain. I have followed Dr. McGill's reseach for many years and it has revolutionized my practice like nothing else. One of my top priorities with back pain patients is to review what exercises they have been given in the past.I invariably stop them from doing several excercises that Dr. McGill's research has proven to be quite harmful for the back. I Substitute the 'big three' excercises that are described in this book, and many of the patients need no further intervention. There is a great deal of misinformation regarding back excercise, and many of the excercise routines used in sports, schools, military, and fitness centers are harmful. That is why this book is so important; not because it gives another fitness guru's opinion, but because it gives good, scientifically based facts on one of the tougher clinical issues from a world renown expert. Thank you Dr. McGill - keep the research coming!
A Good Source of Infromation
I refer to this book many times over over the years and has helped clear up that tricky patient that is not getting better as fast as they and you the doctor would like. Great source of information for any doctor regardless of how many years in practice. Also highly recommend a book I found to be execellent source for rehabing my patients is called The Backsmart Fitness Plan by Dr.Adam Weiss. A DC who has written a very good and detail source of exercises that patients suffering from back or neck pain can do and make progress. These books add many useful tips to my practice.

For Every Doctor
This book is full of information that every doctor who sees patients should have in their office. A must have , detail of structure issues and resvoling layout and protocol.Highly recommended. Also recommend The Backsmart Fitness Plan By Dr. AdamWeiss, a book written for pateint care in laymen's term for a complete full body workout. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Physical Therapy    2. Back Injuries    3. Back Pain    4. Backache    5. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    6. Evidence-based medicine    7. Health & Fitness    8. Medical    9. Medical / Nursing    10. Occupational & Industrial Medicine    11. Orthopedics    12. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation    13. Therapy For Orthopedic Disorders    14. prevention & control    15. rehabilitation    16. Biomechanics, human kinetics    17. Orthopaedics & fractures    18. Physiotherapy    19. Sports injuries & medicine   

Editorial Review

Dr. Batmanghelidj received his formal medical education atSt. Mary's Hospital Medical School of London University.He providesfor the layman a clear and comprehensive book on the origins of chronicpain. His clinical and scientific research exposes, for the firsttime, that recurring "chronic pains" are a signal system of the bodyindicating severe general or local dehydration. Most of these painscan be relieved simply by drinking water. Instead, however, the patientoften receives costly pharmaceutical medications which treat ratherthan cure. Read more

Reviews (2)

It works !!!
This is what he says."Drink alot more water and your pain will go away".I knew that was his message before I got the book but I was not convinced.The book explains why to drink more water and also offers some exercises that I was not aware of. Two spines up!A real weiner...
surefire way to eliminate back pai ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    5. Health/Fitness    6. Pain Management    7. Rheumatoid arthritis    8. Treatment    9. Coping with illness   

Reviews (12)

Extremely mediocre & extremely non evidence based
All clinician-scientist as well as lay people in
What works?
Picked this book up with a few other to gain more information on my on and off again back problems. You know how it is if you are thinking of getting this type of book. You went to all the doctors in your town and tried all the exercisesthey give you to do on the floor. I even spent thousands on massage therapy, a that helpedfor a while. But every time I went to exercise my back would hurt again. Well this is the year, I am not getting any younger, so I bought a collection of books over the last month and this is one of them i recommend for people who are tired of thier pain and want to do something about it. The other books are on exercises that have helped mevery much and I am not running out of exercises to do.Good luck, hope this helps

Exercising
If you need to start somewhere then this book will help you to exercise away your pain. If you already workout then this book will not give you the type of workout to improve your condition. This was given to me as a gift and I did pick up a few good pointers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Back    2. Backache    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Exercise    6. Exercise therapy    7. Health/Fitness    8. Pain Management    9. Medical / Orthopedics   

Reviews (16)

Perfect for the Layman
Sometimes the illustrations in this book are a little silly, but it presents information in a way that is easy for everyone to understand.It gives a good overview of many different kinds of treatment and how they can help the different causes of sciatica.The exercises depicted in the book and excellent.

Superb Common Sense Understanding
Book is simplied with everyday language to help us understand what to do if and when our back or hurting or with pain we are not used to having...
Sciatica Relief Handbook
This book is a total waste of time and money.I am glad I bought a used paperback and am only out $5.00! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - General    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Reference    5. Sciatica    6. Alternative treatment    7. Back    8. Backache    9. Chronic Pain    10. Coping with personal problems    11. Health/Fitness   

Subjects:  1. Back Pain    2. Backache    3. Chiropractic    4. Low Back Pain    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation    8. Treatment    9. therapy    10. Clinical & Internal Medicine    11. Medical / Chiropractic   

Reviews (3)

A Waste of Money
I bought the Wharton's Stretching book and liked it, finding it very useful as a martial artist. This book, however, merely rehashes everything in the Stretching book, but in an inferior manner. Although it has photos instead of drawings, the Wharton's Stretch book clearly shows acceptable ranges of motion for each stretch. In addition, the Back Book has a section on training with weights that bordered on ridiculous. The author's clearly know little about neither weight training as therapy nor weight training for strength and flexibility. This book was a real disappointment. Buy their first book, avoid this one.

It works, if you work it!
If a person with back problems reads and follows the advice in this book, their situation will improve.There is no magic fix for back pain, but the vast majority, regardless of the diagnoses, will be reduced or even eliminated by correcting the imbalances in the hips.This book tells how to do this.The imbalances were developed over many years, so it will take some time to overcome them.If you want a healthier back, this is the answer, provided you are willing to put in the time and effort.

Positive review
I and my wife are physicians. She suffers from lower back problems. This book contains easy to follow picures and directions for the exercises. I was very pleased to see their balanced (and truthful) comments regarding durgs and alternative therapies.I agree with their advice toseek professional opinions as other diseases can mimick lower back problems.Read more

Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Pain Management    8. Popular works   

Reviews (23)

Wow, I got better relief from Borders Cafe than a massage
I've been having back pain in the morning for the last few months after some furniture moving. I stopped at Borders for a coffee and picked this up to read (ok, I'm shameless). After about an hour with the book, I developed a game plan for dealing with the backache which I learned is of a very common garden type. It might be too early to declare victory but I woke this morning with almost no pain after sleeping in the prescribed position with a heating pad and taking a few NSAIDS before bed.
Only one reservation - be careful doing the exercises.
Overall, a very informative book, as everyone else says. My only reservation - be careful doing the exercises in the book.The author also has a warning about this - he says "at no point during your back exercise program, should you feel that you are straining...to the point of significantly increasing your pain."
Remedies for back pain
You will find dummy series books on any subject now. And this book is good for back pain.It is written in simple, easy to understand language.Exercises given are also easy to follow.Additional information is given on surgery for back pain, mechanics of spineetc.When you do exercise, make sure that you have this book somewhere near you, so that you will not miss any or clear your doubts.This book is a must read for people suffering from back pain
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Subjects:  1. Back Pain    2. Backache    3. Consumer Health    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Holism    8. Pain Management    9. Popular works    10. Coping with illness    11. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Musculoskeletal    12. Popular medicine   

Subjects:  1. Back    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    5. Exercise    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Pilates method    9. Exercise & workout books   

Reviews (1)

best ever written book about back pain
exellent book,all chapters very well written. Everybody who works with patients with back problems must have one(surgeons and non- surgeons. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Physical Therapy    2. Backache    3. Chiropractic    4. Low Back Pain    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Neurology - General    8. Orthopedics    9. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation    10. Clinical & Internal Medicine    11. Medical / Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation    12. Orthopaedics & fractures   

Subjects:  1. Back    2. Forensic Medicine    3. Medical    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Medical jurisprudence    6. Personal injuries    7. Trial practice    8. Wounds and injuries    9. Cardiovascular medicine    10. Medicolegal issues    11. Neurosurgery    12. Private, property, family law    13. USA