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


From Publishers Weekly
In 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life: How to Rapidly Relieve Back and Neck Pain Using the McKenzie Method, Robin McKenzie (Treat Your Own Back) explains that people suffer from lower back and neck pain when their lumbar and cervical lordosis (the curvature of the lower back and neck) is strained by poor posture or bending incorrectly to lift something. Through exercises that extend and flex the back and neck, he maintains, the reader can eliminate pain and the cost of frequent visits to a physical therapist or chiropractor. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
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.


About the Author
Robin McKenzie is a world-renowned physical therapist who has spent the last 40 years perfecting the McKenzie Method. He was named Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990. In January 2000, the Queen named him to an even higher order, a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Craig Kubey is the author of seven previous books.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Since 1980, when Robin McKenzie first self-published his innovative program, more than 5.5 million people have purchased his first two books, Treat Your Own Back and Treat Your Own Neck, from back and neck care professionals. Now Robin McKenzie and Craig Kubey have combined and enhanced those two books into what will become known as the bible of back and neck care.

Considered by thousands of health care providers to be the first treatment of choice for back and neck pain, the seven steps that make up the McKenzie Method have become the keystone for back and neck care in 35 countries, including the United States. Scientific studies support the therapeutic and diagnostic value of the McKenzie Method.

With simple, step-by-step instructions, they address the different types of back and neck pain, how the pain will affect you, and what exercises can alleviate the pain. Numerous case studies are provided to illustrate their points using real people and real solutions. Complete with more than 100 photos, 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life is an invaluable tool for better health.

SYNOPSIS

The seven steps of the McKenzie Method have become the keystones for back and neck care. With simple, step-by-step instructions, Robin McKenzie and Craig Kubey address types of pain, the affects of pain and what exercises alleviate pain. This resource includes real-life case histories. Illustrated. Softcover, over 200 pages.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly