Treat Your Own Back

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.

About 15 years ago I began to have serious back pain on a daily basis. It was the worst at night. I regularly awoke at 2AM & could not find a comfortable position & just lay in writhing pain until dawn. The condition deteriorated over a period of about 3-4 weeks until I reached a point where I couldn't even urinate for over 24 hours. My doctor had me undergo a variety of examinations, including a barium enema, trying to locate the problem. Focussing on the back, he sent me to a sports doctor & orthopedic surgeon who gave me a set of exercises which made things worse.

When I was about to give up & see a chiropractor, he recommended a physical therapist. On my first visit she accurately described every one of my symptoms & had me do some simple exercices on her examination table with a weighted heating pad on the small of my back.

She told me to buy a Balans chair ( & trained me to use it properly) & to keep my weight down (extremely important - even now if I gain 5 pounds over my normal weight I start having back pain). She also gave me a copy of Robin McKenzie's book, showing me the exercises & emphasizing the ones she felt would help me most.

All of this worked amazingly. Within a week, I was virtually pain & symptom free. Sounds like a magazine ad, but it's absolutely true.

I attribute the "cure" to a number of things: learning how to sit & stand properly (thanks to my therapist); using a Balans chair (although resistant to it at first, I would rather sit in one now than any other kind of chair - & it must be the true classic Balans chair, by the way, not the compromises with casters or backs, etc.); keeping my weight under control; & finally, Robin McKenzie's book & exercises.

I agree that one should not go to this book & directly start the exercises without the guidance of a knowledgable ( & licensed) physical therapist. But I also would not recommend going to a therapist (or sports/orthopedic doctor) who was not familiar with this book.

I was probably lucky. My disks had slipped but not ruptured. My body was flexible & able to do the exercises. I got a good physical therapist in time & followed her instructions. I almost literally felt reborn.

"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.

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. . .