Say Goodbye to Back Pain by Emile Hiesiger M.D. and Marian Betancourt.

Contents include:
Understanding the anatomy of the back. Finding a diagnosis. What the tests mean and why they are used (discogram, MRI, CT scan, myelogram, etc.). Shopping for a doctor. Getting the best treatment for the buck, Facet Syndrome. Pain from a spinal-disk herniation. Discogenic pain. Tumors and cancer pain. Other causes of pain. Physical Therapy. TENS. Drugs, steriods, NSAIDS, and other medications. Radiofrequency Lesioning. Nerve blocks. Implantable Devices. Lifestyle. Acupuncture and Manual Manipulation. Prevention.

This is the most valuable book in my collection. I use it as a reference and guide to help plan my next moves. Practical and smart. Every test, medication and treatment I needed to understand was in this book. Anatomical drawings of herniated disks and spinal column helpful. I feel armed with this book in hand. Carry this book all times! 362 pages.

Low Back Pain: What You Need to Know ! by Dr. Marc Rosenblatt, D.O.

Dr. Rosenblatt provides a well-rounded, easy to follow guide to treating and preventing low back pain. A layman's guide packed full of knowledge and insight specific to low back pain.

Contents include: Getting Help - Imaging and Diagnostics - Pain Medications - Pain Management - Self-Care for Back Pain - Therapies - Questionnaires on Pain and Disability & The Healthy Lifestyle.

Most helpful : Types of physicians that treat low back pain, exercises, diagnosing pain conditions, stretches, structures of the spine, drugs, prevention tips, complimentary therapies. 145 pages.

    3 Minutes to a Pain-Free Life: The Groundbreaking Program for Total Body Pain Prevention and Rapid Relief by Dr. Joseph Weisberg, P.T., Ph.D.and Heidi Shink

    The Dr. Weisberg plan is a 3-Minute Maintenance Method that calls for using 6 stretches for 30 seconds each day to bring relief to muscles and joints.

    In Part I, Dr. Weisberg educates on the processes and anatomy of the human body. The function of the spinal column, the roles of disks, cartilage, bones, joints, muscles, chronic pain, gravity, etc. Anatomical drawings accompany the text. I agree with his stand that the "chair is the seat of all evil" since sitting made my sciatic pain worse and poor seating posture played a role in my disability.

    The book de-bunks several myths about musculoskeltal health and is revealing. He covers the role of diet, herbs, pros and cons of medicines, opiates, muscle relaxants, steriods, the body's inflammation processes. The text reads in an easy to understand manner.

    The therapeutic excercises in the Part II help me stretch and feel better. Each excercise comes with a name, explanation, targeted areas, instructions, analysis and photo. Dr. Weisberg addresses not only the back, but wrists, neck, hands, elbows, shoulders, posture in sitting and standing and more. The exercises are targeted per condtion and for all ages. 301 pages.
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