Back Rx

December 1, 2003
Many Americans suffer from some form of lower back pain, and these two consumer health guides aim to relieve their discomfort. Vad (sports medicine, Hosp. for Special Surgery, New York City), a back-care adviser for the Professional Golfers' Association, incorporates the best of allopathic and integrative medicine in his well-organized, three-part book. In Part 1, he reviews the workings of the back and explains "why it hurts." In Part 2, he presents exercises-standard, proven rehabilitative kinds as well as yoga and Pilates for those wanting or needing more than the basics-with excellent graphics; clear, step-by-step instructions; and three levels of rehabilitation and their sequences. Then in Part 3, Vad looks at various nonsurgical and surgical treatments and future trends in back care. He notes that his program requires just 15 minutes a day for eight weeks. Oxenhandler, a medical doctor and acupuncturist specializing in chronic pain, seeks to "educate laypersons and healthcare practitioners about pelvic tilt/short leg syndrome," one of the six failed lower-back syndromes that he argues is responsible for chronic lower back pain. Most of the 24 chapters (plus an epilog) are dedicated to diagnosis and therapeutic options, including exercises, for pelvic tilt/short leg syndrome. While Oxenhandler's book presents interesting and potentially useful information, it suffers from poor organization and editing. Back Rx is highly recommended for all consumer health collections because of its unique incorporation of allopathic and integrative medicine. The Humpty Dumpty Syndrome is recommended, but with reservations, for its in-depth coverage of a topic not commonly addressed.-Howard Fuller, Stanford Health Lib., Palo Alto, CA

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.