Backache: What Exercises Work

by Dava Sobel, Arthur C. Klein, Lauren Jarrett (Illustrator)

A complete guide for backache sufferers shares the latest information on the benefits of exercise for preventing and relieving backaches, with self-evaluation checklists, complete instructions, and advice on pain-relieving lifestyle changes.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Science, Reference

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Dava Sobel is an American writer of popular expositions of scientific topics. Her books include Longitude, about English clockmaker John Harrison; Galileo's Daughter, about Galileo's daughter Maria Celeste; and The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars about the Harvard Computers.

Reviews

[Shannon]

I wanted a lot more exercises. This is mostly a bunch of variations of crunches and weird rolling around that ended up hurting my back. A good yoga book would be a better idea and have more varied stretches and exercises. For neck/shoulder/back stretches, I like Stretching better.

I think there's a reason this book is out of print.

[SmarterLilac]

Really not the book for anyone who won't/can't/really hates to exercise. This is the only 'cure' put forth by the authors. Which is actually okay by me. I've only had one brush with misery-making, immobilizing, humiliating back pain. That didn't come back after I (finally) tried exercising again, even if it was extremely light-to-moderate activity at first. I don't want non-exercisers to feel bad after I post this though. You're not into exercise? Your business.

[Heidi]

backache bible

[Nico]

good overall info. mostly focused on lower back with some on upper back and neck.