8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back

February 15, 2008
After suffering major back pain and undergoing unsuccessful surgery, Gokhale attended classes in France and at Stanford University on posture-modification techniques. Here, she explains how she came to develop her own method for back health, incorporating words, illustrations, and lush photographs to demonstrate eight lessons on sitting, lying down, standing, lifting, and walking. Each lesson contains goals and objectives, step-by-step instructions, indications of improvement, troubleshooting tips, and further information. Photos illustrate correct and incorrect movements. Appendixes provide additional exercises, anatomical drawings, a glossary, and a bibliography. Testimonials from some physicians and satisfied patients pepper the book, as do a few promotional ads for Gokhale's clinic, web site, and products. Gokhale's advice to bend straight down from the hips to pick up low items will make many physical therapists shudder; some recommended movements may be too subtle for readers to execute without professional guidance. Still, Gokhale's point about bad posture causing back problems is valid. Recommended to supplement larger collections.Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp. Lib., Tampa, FL

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