 | Price Comparisons: Rental | | Sorry, the textbook you were looking for is not available as Rental, at any of the stores we searched. | Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com | What causes chronic, debilitating back pain, one of the most common--and expensive to treat--ailments in the world? According to Robin McKenzie, a New Zealand physiotherapist for over 40 years and author of the wildly popular self-help manuals Treat Your Own Back and Treat Your Own Neck, distortion of the spinal disks--either from bad posture or injury--is the cause of the pain. The magic cure is the McKenzie Method--seven very specific exercises that allow the spine to return to its natural position. But forget the doctors--McKenzie asserts that the management of your back pain is your responsibility. Practice his seven unique exercises (the book includes seven each for the back and neck) consistently and at regular intervals and just about anyone can cure his or her own back or neck pain without the help of professionals. McKenzie believes self-treatment is actually more successful than medical interventions like surgery, chiropractic, or physical therapy, and indeed, recent research does show self-treatment to be a highly effective method. More richly detailed and in-depth than his previous books, this volume is illustrated with over 100 photos and liberally peppered with real-life case histories. Starting with an analysis of how the back and neck work, it moves on to a discussion of the common causes of pain--bad posture is most often to blame. At the core is a detailed explanation of how to do the McKenzie Method exercises, when to apply them, and how to adjust your personal program over time. Included are instructions for people who suffer with acute back and neck pain (with appropriate cautions regarding when to call a medical professional) as well as for people in special situations like pregnant women, athletes, and seniors. An impassioned introduction by coauthor Craig Kubey, a satisfied convert after suffering intense back and neck pain as a result of several auto accidents, could very well make a believer out of anyone. --Marianne Painter |
Average Customer Rating:   Barb's review The book was well written, informative and easy to use. Unfortunately I have scolosis and the ideas and exercises did not fit my situation. It seems to be for normal back pains. Book is good, paper is lousy. The content of the book is good but the paper it is printed on is like newsprint.
The hardcover version has better paper. Excellent resource for spinal health Have been recommending this book for years. I am a family physician. Learned about the McKenzie method nearly 15 years ago from another family physician who had found impressive relief from his own back pain through the methods developed by Robin McKenzie. Have had several of my patients with acute ruptured disks achieve up to 80% relief in pain within a couple of days of starting on the exercises. Most of my chronic pain patients with low back pain are using the exercises and they have all reported significant benefit.
Would recommend this for anyone with spine/back discomfort from the low back to the neck. Best approach I have found yet. Easy to understand exercises...work for me I'm not much of a reader but was diagnosed with a disc protrusion btw L5 & S1 after having an MRI. I have been dealing with back pain on and off since April 2009, all because I hoisted a 33lb bag of dog food in my arms. Have been prescribed pain med and muscle relaxers in the past and now physical therapy. I needed to know if there was more I could do to help my situation and this book has helped realize I am my worst enemy with my poor posture. I can now help myself w/ lifestyle changes including recognizing that I can change my posture and help my self lessen or even take away the pain I experience. Very informative, an easy read. If I can read and learn from this book so can you.
BJ in Michigan Great book, and, PT program; just be careful. As an RN, my lumber spine, and neck, are shot---likely from the repetitive physical requirements of the job. A recent nursing journal stated that the average RN, working twelve hour shifts on medicine/surgery, will lift approximately a ton, while walking five to 10 miles on hard surfaces. And, we all know how difficult it is to use good body mechanics when too busy, tired, or stressed. Back injuries and pain result in many nurses leaving the field. I wanted to avoid having this happen to me.
I recently obtained a pain specialist, who could not recommend Robin McKenzie physical therapy more highly. She had been in the program, herself, with remarkable results. She emphasized that the program is education, exercises and back protection that you will carry with you throughout your life. I was sent on a search for certified McKenzie therapists in my area, finding only two, with travel required for appointments. So, I wanted to make the best of the experience and, go in with knowledge of the process, first, which is why I ordered, '7 Steps To A Pain-Free Life.'
While waiting for my second visit, with follow-up MRIs, I started some of the exercises. I found them simple to do and some of them were definitely effective in relieving pain and loosening up the muscles. However, some appeared to make my situation worse. I wondered why.
During my second Dr. visit, we reviewed the MRIs and, sure enough, there is a structural abnormality that would contraindicate the spinal flexion exercises in the book---exercises I had been doing with vigor. So even though this is highly regarded therapy, please don't assume all the exercises are safe for you. They are not!
Bottom line is---know what your structural abnormalities are, and what exercises are appropriate for you, before starting any therapy program such as McKenzie and work closely with your Dr. I think this is a wonderful book with great exercises, and spinal nurturing, but some of them might actually aggravate your situation. Once you know your limitations, I think the best scenario would be to read the book, to be an informed student, then contact a McKenzie Certified Therapist, to set-up a routine for you to maximize the experience.
One thing I can say, unequivocally, is those with healthy backs that want to avoid problems in the future should jump on this book as part of maintaining a healthy spine. Just think of the vertical load being bipedal places on our vertebra and discs. Gravity is working against us, folks. Believe me, prevention IS worth a pound of cure. Don't let back injuries and pain steal the joy from your life. |  |
Select button not working? 
