The twelfth Chicken Soup book review is for
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain!
How to Handle Flare-Ups, Injuries and Everyday Back Health
This book is part of the new Chicken Soup collection known as Chicken Soup for the Soul HEALTH. The Health books are about one third of the size/length of the traditional Chicken Soup books and are filled with medical advice from doctors from the Harvard Medical School as well as inspirational stories from ordinary citizens.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain! is divided into 8 chapters under the following headings:
- Oh, My Aching Back!
- This Really Hurts!
- I'm Afraid This Is Serious
- I Can't Live Like This
- Life Is Sressful
- Finally, Help Is On The Way!
- Ahh... Sweet Relief
- Brush And Floss Your Back
{My Review}
I do not have chronic back pain, thankfully! I have experienced an achy back after sleeping in a bad position and during pregnancy. I know many people who have bad backs though and realize how painful and limiting back pain can be.
Say Goodbye to Back Pain definitely made me realize how fragile our backs are and how we take them for-granted until they are hurt.
Each chapter begins with a couple of stories by people suffering from back pain in various situations and circumstances. Dr. Silver of Harvard Medical School then discusses back pain while referring to the previous stories.
I love the illustrations that are included in the book. There are numerous stretches shown to help with neck pain and strengthening of the neck muscles. There are also illustrations of the components of the vertebrae. There are descriptions of the different tests that are conducted by doctors trying to diagnosis different causes of back pain such as: MRI, CT scans, EMG and more. The book also lists and describes the different kinds of doctors such as Osteopaths and Rheumatologists and the treatment options for back problems.
One story in the I'm Afraid This Is Serious section, was very eye-opening. A woman completely threw her back out while retrieving her bag from under the airplane seat. Something as simple as picking up her bag caused her pain and immobility for days. What she learned from the nurse that treated her and what I learned and will always remember from this book is: "Nose follows toes." You must always make your nose points in the same direction as your toes when you pick up ANYTHING. The twist and lift movement can cause serious damage to your back.
A very inspirational story in the Life is Stressful section was written by a woman with spondylolisthesis where her back would go out on her every few months. She also tore the ACL in her knee twice and required surgery. She did not let these physical ailments and pain stop her, she continue to exercise. She competed in an Ironman Triathlon and eventually became a triathlon coach. She learned how to make her body stronger to protect her back.
As always with the Chicken Soup books, Say Goodbye to Back Pain! is very moving. The stories by real people allow you to connect with their situations even if you are not in the same ones. The doctor's advice and descriptions are very clear and easy to understand. This book helps you identify ways you could potentially hurt your back, explains ways to prevent it, teaches ways to deal with serious back problems, how to overcome it and lead as active a life as possible.
This book would be great for anyone in your life who deals with back pain, mild or chronic. It would also make a great addition to doctors' offices waiting rooms or libraries.
{Buy It}
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain!
Paperback --- $9.95
eBook --- $10.44
{Connect}
Chicken Soup for the Soul on Facebook
This is great! My lower back is always sore.
ReplyDeletegreat tip about not twisting while picking things up! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLack of back pain is certainly one of those things we take for granted until we no longer have it! Thanks for posting this great reminder. I'll remember the nose follows toes mnemonic for sure!
ReplyDeleteGreat Tip and funny I should come upon this post this week when I have been suffering big time with back pain.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful and inspiring book! I don't have any back issues, but I know lots of people who do and could benefit from reading this book :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh cool, I didn't know that Chicken Soup for the Soul made books like these ones (back pain)! I know they are good for when I want a sweet little tear of joy in my eye ;)
ReplyDeleteJenna
www.snymed.blogspot.ca
They have an awesome new line of Health books: stress, better body, better brain, etc. I have reviewed a bunch of them and they are all great.
Delete