The Multifidus Back Pain Solution

"Firstly I have never written or e-mailed any author before and I am taking time out to do this because of the remarkable effect this book had on my back pain.

I have suffered from lower back pain for years and have visited numerous chiropractors, all of whom helped in some way in the short term. But if I did not visit regularly (at £25-30 per session) the pain came back, it was about a monthly occurrence. Last July I went with my family on holiday to Spain and the lower back pain kicked in on the second day, probably due to stress and the flight from Gatwick. It was so painful like a ripped muscle and virtually ruined two weeks holiday. Climbing into a canoe, for instance, with my seven year old daughter was excruciating. I felt like a pensioner just walking down the road, every step down a kerb had to be measured or it would send a shooting pain through the lower back. When I got back from Spain I decided to trawl the internet for a solution before booking more chiropractors. I came across this book. I began the excercises in August and I did not want to say anything until I had fully tested them out. I now feel (in November) confident to say I have rarely been troubled with my back since. What trouble I had was easily dealt with by the excercises and gradually even this pain receded. The back feels stronger than ever but you must follow what Jim says exactly and do the excercises initially every two days.
Pity the poor chiropractors if everyone gets to read it!!!!"
~ Written on 2003-11-10

"A well written book that takes great care to methodically explain the scientific basis for some lower back problems and their treatments, with many quotes from peer reviewed scientific papers. Jim Johnson also uses his fairly extensive experience of treating back pain to make the book a readable and practical one rather than just a dry tome.

I read the book (all of it as instructed!) before trying the few simple exercises that are recommended. There has been a definite improvement in back strength in the 3-4 months since I bought it and, more importantly, a reduction in lower back pain. I still get some pain from time to time but it is considerably less.

The key is to follow the exercise plan as laid out in the book and do it regularly. Once you have achieved the desired level of back strength you only need to do the exercises once a week for maintenance of the strength you have built up. However, as soon as you stop them you go back to square one.

I would recommend this book for people who suffer from lower back pain - even if it doesn't help the pain it will probably help you understand what the problem is without being stuck in a particular treatment method like many other books."
~ Written on 2003-10-04