Wharton's Back Book

About 31 million Americans experience back pain, and the Whartons are on an enthusiastic mission to help sufferers approach injuries""not as a patient, but as an athlete"" and get back in action, pain-free. For a book on back pain recovery and prevention, this is a surprisingly entertaining read, with anecdotes from the authors' New York City physical therapy practice--and even some celebrity name-dropping. The book is so crammed with information that it could be overwhelming, but readers can select applicable sections. Following a detailed introduction to the back, the authors include sections on what they call PREhab (""that is, helping our athletes prepare properly so that injuries never happen""), stopping the pain, protecting the back, stress and slumber, and situations and solutions. They explain and apply their unique Active-Isolated method, suggest exercises (with helpful demonstrative photos) and provide real-life case studies throughout. The Whartons believe every part of a person's lifestyle can impact the back--and they cover it all.