Treat Your Own Back - by Robin McKenzie

by steve
(mylowerbackpain)

Treat Your Own Back

Treat Your Own Back

I'm a bit hesitant about recommending this book because, although I have found it effective when I have a particularly bad period of back pain, I'm not convinced about the science.

The book starts off with the discovery of the treatment (which is basically similar to the Yoga position known as "The Cobra"), but the treatment was found purely by accident - and the book doesn't really go into the reasons why it works which I find very frustrating. (I'm one of those people who need to know why something works before really accepting it or taking it in.)

Having said that, I have found it to be of some use when my back is particularly bad, which is why it's included here.

Comments for
Treat Your Own Back - by Robin McKenzie

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 05, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Loved the book love my no pain back
by: Clatters

For me it works and has done so for 25 years and the reason is simple - the exercises strengthen your back muscles which support your spine. If it were not for this book I would have spent a lot of money on doctors, etc, trying to achieve the same end result.

I found they were giving me exercises to do one at a time that were straight out of Robin's book and they laughed when I drew their attention to that fact...

For me, after surviving 8 breaks of the pelvis gained by being run over by a vehicle, it was just what I needed to put down the constant pain I had for years afterwards, I recommend it to all sufferers.
Jun 07, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		golf
by: Anonymous

This book sent me back to the golf course, thanks.
Apr 11, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		20 years of use & I still recommend it
by: Anonymous

The book explains the causes of low back pain in an authorative manner (unlike general internet heresay that carries no weight). This sets the foundations of why the excercises are designed the way they are.

The book then illustrates behaviours that lead to low back pain and then goes on to give examples of better behaviour.

Then there is is the exercises themselves which are easy to do.

I have been managing my low back problem for 20 years and have not had a day off work from my office job.

I often recommend this book as a result.
Jan 24, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The Best ever book.
by: Andrew Stemler

I have all the books, McGill, Kendall, Ehrman,(even some Chek stuff). I'm a crossfit trainer, a PT, I've almost finished a very extended sport science degree, GP Referral qualified, Yada, yada.

I'm now a trainee massage therapist under Mel Cash: Ive hung out with Julian Baker of the Bowen technique and dissected cadavers.

This book works. Simple as that.

Nice to find stuff that does. Given to me by my dad. Great gift.
Dec 01, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Best Back Book ever
by: McPhysio

Having tried to treat acute and chronic low back pain for 30+ years, it was a revelation to discover the McKenzie approach. I have never had such good results for my patients before trying this approach, and never seen such rapid improvement in those whose injuries are appropriate for the approach.

It empowers the patient, so that the patient no longer has to panic when he or she hurts himself, and no longer has to always run to a physio or a chiropractor, but can take charge of the situation themselves.

It really hit home when I suffered a disc derangement and had to put the knowledge to personal use. Within 10 days I went from having acute pain on movement, walking bent over like Groucho Marx and needing help to get dressed, to being pain-free, normal posture and able to put on my own socks.

While it may not be appropriate for everyone, it is definitely worth trying.
Nov 02, 2010
Rating
star 		bbad book
by: Anonymous

There are millions book dealing with back pain, so I don't recommend this one. Half of the book is about the structure of the spine (well I can look it up on the internet), then it tells you how to carry things (I guess everyone knows already) and then you have 3 differens exercises that come from yoga and that can be dangerous if you have a bad back.
Jun 22, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		mckenzie
by: Anonymous

The science is definitely proven but there is no reason to go into it. The book is simply designed to be a handy easy way for someone to treat his or her back more effectively than any MD could with exercises. If you must know discogenic pain especially in the low back is commonly caused by a condition known as internal disc derangement. The exercises basically help rearrange the internal disc material and alleviate the pain
Jan 18, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Treat your own back is magic
by: Peter

I, unlike my colleage, do not need to know why it works but if I can take the emergency back care stretches and after doing the three stretches for one day I can stop taking pain killer and get around without obvious discomfort then I am sold on its methods. Methodology is not as important to me. This book has given me back my quality of life in one session. I am going to continue with the prescribed exercises and stretching.

I reccomend this book to anyone who can anwser the questions in the beginning and get the correct number for making you a good candidate for these stretches.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Book Reviews

My Lower Back Pain