Every Body’s Guide to Everyday Pain

In the first volume of a projected trilogy, Seattle chiropractor Liou presents a holistic approach to understanding, managing, and avoiding recurring pain. This veritable user’s manual for “every body” ably explains why we get hurt and what we can do about it. The book is divided into three sections. “Why Does It Hurt?” explains that inflammation, while generally “self-limiting and simply part and parcel of a healthy repair process,” produces chemicals that build up and “simmer” in the body until brought to a boil by one or more of three possible triggers: mechanical, chemical, and emotional. Mechanical triggers include compression or lengthening of the spine and supporting musculature; chemical triggers include low pH of lymphatic fluid, molecular repair of injured tissues, and cellular waste back-up; and emotional triggers include stress and self-image. “How Do I Make It Stop?” prescribes “stop, drop, and roll” floor exercises to put out the “fire” of inflammation, with illustrative photos and drawings. “How Do I Keep It from Happening Again?” includes over 50 pages of photos illustrating correct and incorrect posture. The conclusion caps off Liou’s many helpful suggestions by reminding readers that once the initial discomfort is gone, continuing efforts are needed to stay balanced and pain-free. [em](Booklife) [/em]