Book Review: Cure Back Pain by Jean-François Harvey

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book, free of charge,from Robert Rose Publishing, via Edelweiss, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it

So how many of you got a Gym membership for Mother's Day yesterday?

What about a new office chair?

Maybe a new office?

If you did, this book might be something you want to read BEFORE you partake in your gift!

Synopsis;

 80 Personalized Easy Exercises for Spinal Training to Improve Posture, Eliminate Tension & Reduce Stress

Relying on the latest advances in the science of movement, this book offers the unique and innovative Spinal Training method to help prevent and alleviate back pain.

In addition to strengthening your back, Spinal Training will also improve your posture, eliminate tension, reduce your stress response and diminish pain. Drawing from various sources (Pilates, yoga, physical therapy) and based on the principles of osteopathy, biomechanics and kinesiology, this holistic approach makes it possible to effectively and gently work on the areas that are the most important for good posture and a healthy back.

Thanks to clearly depicted exercise routines, lavish full-color illustrations of the back’s anatomy and needs, and 200 step-by-step photos, the reader will better understand the requirements for a healthy back. The 80 exercise routines are designed to be customized based on the self-assessment exercise provided, allowing the exercises to focus precisely on each person’s specific needs and desired outcome.

Whether the goal is simply to maintain a healthy back or to reduce and eliminate pain, this book offers the right tools to make your back feel better. 

Review:

Did you know 80% of North Americans have some sort of back pain, at some point in their lives? It makes sense when you think about all the crazy things we do, like sports, carrying kids and groceries, moving furniture by ourselves, even sitting for long periods at a computer! No matter the degree/ duration of the pain, nor the cause of it (like from nerve problems to degenerative disc disease, arthritis or muscular problems), back pain is the most common reason for doctor’s visits! 

This new book aims to help keep us all from the doctor's office, by showing us what we are doing wrong, where our weaknesses are and how to fix them, to relieve back pain! It is really easy to understand and to find the info you need, thanks to its well laid out contents and over 350 color photos, that really help illustrate points, and more importantly, to show proper positioning.

The Spinal Training method featured in the book will not only strengthen your back, it will improve your posture, eliminate tension, reduce stress and diminish any pain you are having. Now that's something we all want! The book starts off with explaining about the structure of our backs and about how we put stress on them everyday. For example- check out this graphic below- how many of these exercises have you done in your life?

Yup, bet you were like me and went "oh-oh". I've done them ALL. And guess what? They but severe strain ON your back. Eeek. This is an example of how something is supposed to be good, but can actually be bad, if done wrong! The first couple of sections was SO informative. If you've ever wondered how the back musclature works with the spine and body, this book really makes it easy for a lay person to understand!

Once you get through the problems and issues, It's time to assess YOUR back. There is an extensive a self- assessment, that is actually very easy for anyone to do! As you can see below, the steps are easy to understand and the activity to check the level is not hard at all:

Then following the results guide, and your resulting level, you can look at the different workout plans and find the one needed for your level. This is really unique to this book, and really helps adjust the plan to YOUR needs. There are over 80 exercises included in the book, and as you can see below, they are carefully laid out, with perfect instructional photos, so there is no misunderstanding of how to do the exercise:

They cover basic back stretches, flexibility, mobility, breathing, posture, balance, and strength. All the exercises are color coded by those categories (see the top left corner of the picture above), so you know which one/section you are in. The exercises are drawn from a wide range of programs, including Pilates, yoga, physical therapy and rehab exercises. Once you have your back level, you can look at the guide and determine you level of pain and needs, and pick the exercise routine that should work best for you, using the easy to use chart. There are 35 routines in all, and you can work your way through them, as your back strength and flexibility improves. 

This is a really comprehensive book and I have to say just doing the first simple routine after a long 12 hours of sitting at the computer at work, REALLY eased the back soreness and left my back feeling more flexible! I will definitely be adding these exercises to my workout routine. If you, or anyone you know, suffers from back pain, get them this book! It is really amazing at how simple exercises can REALLY help ease the pain! They will love you for thinking of them!

It would also make a great gift for Dad, if he likes to overdo it too, for father's Day!

About the Author:

Jean-François Harvey, BSc, DO, is a kinesiologist, a respected osteopath and professor. He has been studying back-related issues for over 20 years and is a professor of osteopathy. Jean-François resides in Montreal, QC.