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Summary: REPLACED MY ORTHOPEDIST, PHYSICAL THERAPIST & CHIROPRACTOR
Review: A few years ago I suffered a minor accident that resulted in progressive and long term back and hip pain. The orthopedic surgeon diagnosed severe sciatica. He put me on prescription pain meds, muscle relaxants and lots of bed rest. Actually, bed rest was about all I could handle as all of the prescription meds kept me in a constant mental haze (but did little to relieve pain). The doctor also referred me to a physical therapist 4 times a week (who has time for this - each session lasted hours). After 4 months of this with not much improvement I'd had enough. I stopped taking the prescription meds, switched to OTCs and began chiropractic treatments. A year and two chiropractors later the improvement was small but pain was manageable. Unfortunately the last session with the chiro left me feeling worse than when I began the treatments. Then I found Robin McKenzie's book. I could not believe the improvement I experienced after just two days of following his emergency exercises. After several weeks I had complete recovery. I have given this book to friends and relatives with back or neck problems and they have all found relief from pain and have gained full mobility. The funny thing is that the positions and movements that Mr. McKenzie prescribes are exactly what the chiropractors and surgeon told me not to do!
Go figure!
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Summary: Sciatica begone!
Review: As a 60-year-old very fit lady with a from-birth rotten lower back, I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend who swears by its effectiveness for reducing or even eliminating "sciatica". As one who has taught fitness classes for upwards of 23 years and who knows her own body very well, I was able (not recommended to non-fitness professionals) to "finesse" only TWO of the exercises to reduce my back pain by about 75%! No equipment required, no classes to take, only minutes a day in a chair or in bed or standing up ---- and relief!This book is wonderful and highly recommended to anyone with back or neck pain. After only one week, my symptoms were easily manageable and considerably lessened. I can now live life without back pain, which often got to the excruciating "can't walk" stage. The aptly-named book is worth the price to anyone who suffers, however intermittently, with back pain and/or "sciatica". Get it. You won't be sorry.
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Summary: Works with a certain type on back
Review: Generally, the McKenzie method works well with stiff spines that have lost the natural lordosis(lower back curvature) required to minimise pressure on the intervertebral discs. For hypermobile lumbar spines, these exercises may make symptoms worse and stabilsation exercises are more appropriate. A good physiotherapist will assess which category you fit into. The book serves as one of the best educational resources around, and anyone who has "bad posture" after reading it may have misread or misunderstood the text.
Rating:
Summary: Works with a certain type on back
Review: Generally, the McKenzie method works well with stiff spines that have lost the natural lordosis(lower back curvature) required to minimise pressure on the intervertebral discs. For hypermobile lumbar spines, these exercises may make symptoms worse and stabilsation exercises are more appropriate. A good physiotherapist will assess which category you fit into. The book serves as one of the best educational resources around, and anyone who has "bad posture" after reading it may have misread or misunderstood the text.
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Summary: No need to suffer with back pain
Review: I bought this book in October of 2001 and have considerably reduced the lower back pain I have suffered with for nearly 20 years. After years of doctors, spinal manipulations, drugs, xrays, MRI's, physical therapy, the pain was intolerable and nothing doctors did was helping. Rather than have an epidural steroid injection (research the side effects of those!) I decided to buy this book. It took a few months before I was pain free, but I noticed improvement right away. Using a lumbar roll, always sitting with good posture and doing simple exercises once a day has changed my life. You certainly do want to be under a doctors care and have approval before doing this or any exercise program, but do not be afraid to try this it does work.
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Summary: Great system, logical approach to back care
Review: I have had occasional lower back and sciatic nerve pain, particularly after certain exercises, including most acutely Spinning classes. A friend referred me to Dr. McKenzie's book. The book could be shorter - the author piles up a wealth of anecdotes to support the reader's belief in his system. But it works. After faithfully following the exercises, the pain usually disappears in a few days and I can take Spinning classes now without worrying about Sciatica. As valuable as the exercises, is the understanding he imparts for how to care for your vertebrae. I have recommended this book to many friends who have complained of back pain.
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Summary: sherri, reader
Review: I picked up this book , I am a fan of yoga and have done some mat pilates work- I think for anyone who has never done any type of body work can start here but otherwise I recommend you look else where for more substance on the subject and more exercises.
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Summary: A Total Quack
Review: I used Robin's technique to help my sciatica when I was in my 20s. Now, 20 years later, a physical therapist asks how I messed up my posture so badly. When she heard that I used Robin's techniques she said it was too bad. That Robin has messed up many people's backs. Now I have severe arthritis between my shoulder blades from having such horrible posture for the past 20 years. Save yourself and get a recommendation to a respected physical therapist instead.
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Summary: Takes patience, and yes, heed the pain!
Review: I'd recommend a slow and easy start with this book. This book is about extension (creating space between the discs so they don't pinch the nerves) but you also need to strangthen the muscles to get stronger. My back was healed mostly with swimming (try it!). I find that when I have to stand for several minutes at a stretch, the McKenzie exercises relax my back like magic. None of your muscle strengthening exercises will give you relief when you're really in pain. And it's better than traction as you can control how much stretching you can take. I had a strong and healthy back till my gym instructor introduced me to the barbell and progressed me too fast to very heavy weights. Which goes to show that when it comes to your body, take it easy and don't expect miracles....or you can end up worse than you started.
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Summary: The McKenzie Method has helped me
Review: I'm generally skeptical about books that solve problems that the collective wisdom of the medical profession cannot! However my excruciating back pain (sciatica ?) caused me to try the exercises in this book....what did I have to lose? After about ten days of incapacitating pain when I got out of bed in the mornings, I started the exercises and got immediate (although, not total) relief. Six weeks after diligently following the exercises I still have a recurring ache but a run-through the streching (not flexion) exercises helps a lot. Once the pain subsided I gingerly moved to the flexion exercises:I am convinced that a full stretching of the spine is key to recovery.
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