Win the Battle against Back Pain: An Integrated Mind-Body Approach

Back pain affects more than 75 percent of Americans at some point in their lifetime. It is second only to the common cold as a reason for a visit to the doctor. It is second only to childbirth as a reason for hospitalization. But in an alarming number of cases the treatment received makes the problem worse. Now three renowned doctors have developed an integrated mind-body approach, giving you access to the most up-to-date scientific findings available on the treatment of back pain - and to their extensive clinical experience putting these findings into practice. Designed to help you avoid useless or dangerous therapies, this authoritative guide also explores the crucial role your thoughts and emotions play in the treatment of back pain.

About 80 percent of us will suffer back pain at some time in our lives. About 90 percent of that back pain will go away with or without treatment. The 10 percent that doesn't causes untold misery for millions, sending them running to physicians, chiropractors, and acupuncturists, and generally not finding any relief. The approaches recommended here combine physical exercise with psychological counseling (for pain-management techniques, not because the authors don't believe the pain exists). The authors are highly skeptical of surgery and alternative medicine, and point out the link between depression and pain perception.