8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back: Natural Posture Solutions for Pain in the Back, Neck, Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Foot (Remember When It Didn't Hurt)

Pendo Press, 2008, softcover, illustrated, 228 pages, 21.7 cms x 28 cms, condition: as new

With a fresh approach to a common problem, this self-help guide to overcoming back pain advocates adopting the natural, healthy posture of athletes, young children, and people from traditional societies the world over. Arguing that most of what our culture has taught us about posture is misguidedeven unhealthyand exploring the current epidemic of back pain, many of the commonly cited reasons for the degeneration of spinal discs and the stress on muscles that leads to back pain are examined and debunked. The historical and anthropological roots of poor posture in Western cultures are studied as is the absence of back pain complaints in the cultures of Africa, Asia, South America, and rural Europe. Eight detailed chapters provide illustrated step-by-step instructions for making simple, powerful changes to seated, standing, and sleeping positions. No special equipment or exercise is required, and effects are often immediate.

If you have pain in the back, neck, shoulder, hips, knee or foot I highly recommend you get this book. It is well written, instructional, with lots of photographic examples.

If you are a health care practitioner dealing with clients with these kinds of problems you will learn a whole new way of treating them. I'm very impressed with the simple steps that are presented and have already begun to implement some of these strategies into my own life. Some of them I already used, but now I know the why's and wherefores. It was also good to learn that the typical way we are taught to lift heavy items 'correctly' is actually totally wrong and harmful. I have a client whose back pain gets worse every time he drives - and he drives for a living. Now I know why this is happening and can teach him how to stop this from happening.

Get it - read it - use it and please don't stick it on the shelf to gather dust.