Treat Your Own Back Paperback – 1 Jan. 2011

Bought this book after suffering a prolapsed disc (L5, S1) and was facing surgery as my only option. Firstly it's an easy read and you can read all of it within an hour or so, which I would recommend before trying out any of the exercises. It is clear, simple and informative.A bit of background: My disc prolapsed in Dec 14, but was not diagnosed until having an MRI in Feb 15. During this time I was in immense paid that meant I couldn't stand or walk for more than a few minutes. Had the usual sciatic pain travelling all the way down my left leg. Painkillers were really not offering much relief, though thankfully I was comfortable when sitting and lying down. I am a complete wuss when it comes to hospitals and the thought of surgery was terrifying me, but the exercises in this book completely changed my outcome. I carried out the exercises as directed and within a couple of weeks there had been enough improvement that my consultant decided to leave to me carry on with the exercises. I have to point out that I had to have 2 MRI's and it was after the first MRI that I started to use the McKenzie technique, hence the consultant was able to visually see the improvement when having the 2nd MRI 2 weeks later. Yes, it could also be coincidence, but I feel these exercises and the theory behind them were the correct solution for my back issue.My prolapse was quite severe so the time taken to recover (measured to when I felt I could get back to the gym on light duties) was about 6 months, but today I am back at the gym 5 times a week and touch wood, my back feels really good. It will never be perfect, but it doesn't stop me from exercising, which at one point I thought it would. I still occasionally use the Mckenzie technique if I feel I've maybe twisted funny or if something just doesn't feel quite right (you get to know your back very well after an injury) and the book does recommend that the exercises become a regular maintenance feature for those of us who have the need. I have also worked hard on improving my core strength and as the book suggests try not to slouch when sitting at your desk. I now use a balance ball as my office chair!I wholeheartedly recommend this book, but be patient, and do as instructed. It won't be the miracle cure for everyone, but if you have a bulging disc or prolapse disc without other complications then this could be gold dust and if you are anything like me, stop you from having an emotional breakdown at the thought of surgery.

Never left a review for anything before but felt compelled to do so with this book. I have had a really awkward crunchy, tight, lower back for years and years and lately it has got real bad . I am quite tall and of a reasonable build, half fit but like a beer and a pizza. I love the gym but haven't been for two months now because I tore/ripped/broke something whilst squatting because I had been at my desk all day and didn't warm up, a few days later I then helped a delivery driver unload a brand new trampoline, which was awkward and heavy at a customers house and something really went, ouch. Since then I have had a lot of pain and sciatica, at first after sitting for a while or first thing in the morning I would stand up and the pain/sensation from my left buttock down to the back of my left foot would drop me on the floor like a sack of spuds. I have been swimming a few times and I really found that beneficial but the pain was still there. Over the years I have seen Chiros, Osteos and Physios - they do help but all the best ones seem to take off to some far flung corner of the globe. So rather than going down the manipulation route I thought I would do some more research so I was looking over the internet and found several references to Robin Mckenzie so read the reviews on Amazon about Treat Your Own Back and was gripped. I ordered the book which took a couple of days to appear but I read the book from the beginning and have started in on the exercises. I am doing just exercises 1,2,3,4,1,2,3 today, my first day and already things are improving massively. I have been at the computer nearly all day and feel great. I have carried out the exercises three times ( exercise numbers 1,2,3,4,1,2,3) and have been able to move further into the exercises each time. I am truly amazed and whilst something still is not right in there I feel so much better. I would definitely recommend this book to any one who has a back issue but you do need to read the intro and subsequent chapters before starting the exercises. You also need to be honest with yourself as to how bad your back is and just take it very easy and get into the exercises slowly. I cannot believe how different I was with my third lot of exercises compared to my first lot all in the same day. The body is an amazing thing and its incredible that you can start to fix yourself if you have the right instruction. Reading this book I have also become massively aware of my posture when standing and sitting and realise how it needs improving and also how most of my furniture really doesn't do my spine any favours.Second day got up and put pants on without holding onto the window sill, those of you who suffer with bad lower backs will no how good that feels. Thank you Mr McKenzie.

This little book carefully explains how your back works and how we damage our backs.The most useful part is the clear exercises it gives to help strengthen your back, they look easy but best not to get too enthusiastic as this can lead to problems, just follow the instructions and you should soon feel better.As a nurse and long time back sufferer I bought this to help prevent problems into old age, and hope for a stronger back in future.I can't see any reason why it won't help if I do my part and bother to do the exercises.I will get ,y darter to read it too, and do exercises as she already has bad back!

This is an interesting book to read but also the exercises do seem to work. Best of all, they are simple and easy to do and to remember. Sometimes it's very difficult to exercise from books or videos but this is not the case with these exercises. I would recommend this for anyone who has back problems and can't afford to keep going to osteopaths.