Worthwhile,. however methods area bit dated ...

books:

	• 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life: How to Rapidly Relieve Back and Neck Pain Robin McKenzie, Craig Kubey Plume, 2001 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 84 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Worthwhile,. however methods area bit dated ...

I've dealt with back-injury, pain, surgeries in both lumbar and cervical regions for 25 yrs.
Have spent a small fortune on chiropractors, orthopedists, etc.
This book has some good information,, some good exercises, especially for a beginner/newbie to back problems.
While these methods will help over time, I prefer a more aggressive up-to-date approach which I found with,
"PAIN FREE" / Pete Egoscue author. This book will however benefit, IF you implement the exercises.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

The phenomenon known as the McKenzie Method has helped millions of people with chronic back and neck pain. In 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life, its founder, world-renowned physical therapist Robin McKenzie, shares the innovative program that can save you from a life of pain. 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life combines and enhances McKenzie's back and neck books that have sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide.

The 7 essential steps that make up the McKenzie Method have become the keystone for back and neck care in 35 countries, including the United States. In this easy-to-follow, fully illustrated book, you'll read about:

* Common causes of lower-back and neck pain
* The vital role discs play in back and neck health
* Easy exercises that alleviate pain immediately
* How to stay out of pain

Complete with more than 150 photos and illustrations, and considered the treatment of choice by health care professionals throughout the world, 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life will help you get out of pain-and stay out of pain. It is an invaluable tool for better health.

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