Joseph Jacobs (6)

This book is for people who experience back pain and related sciatica as a different approach look at how to deal with. Most who go down this long hard road eventually face the prospect of surgery to get a hoped for relief. This direction for many often leads to other complications and facing repeated surgeries that may or may not result it some sense of relief.

Dr. Jacobs offers a more self directed approach looking at various aspects surrounding the causes and condition and steps one can show more take outside of the more drastic surgical route. A more holistic approach one might add that deals with things such as diet, posture and milder self therapies.

Several years back, no pun intended, I experienced a fairly significant back episode in which I was pumping up a bicycle tire and the bike started moving away. I lunged for it in a bent over postion and got that tweaked hurting feeling in my lower lumbar region. I didn't think too much of it at the time but it soon enough in a matter of days turned into a nasty case of sciatica that lasted over eight months and came back a few times since. Not a pleasant experience at all. The book is the type of help one needs to look at alternatives for healing that do not involve the risk of surgery. Many I feel will be helpe by the useful information offered here by the doctor. show less

This was an interesting book about back pain, but it gave me more of a pain reading it at times. There was a lot of repetition in the chapters and that is the one thing that will bug the heck out of me! There is a lot of useful information about how back pain is caused and how it may be relieved. However, not all the ideas are useful for everyone. I for one, suffering for decades with back pain, could not follow some of the ideas due to budget and location constraints. I will give some a try show more though! show less

The book outlines a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of back pain, borne out of the author’s health challenges and quest to find ways to heal issue for good. Dr. Jacobs has formulated his findings into a seven-point treatment approach, called ASTR. Combined, these modalities help physicians to enlist the patients’ own healing process to successfully address their chronic back pain. As Dr. Jacobs posits, back pain root causes are complex which indicates the treatment approach show more can’t just rely on one modality. As anyone who has dealt with back pain can testify, this is true. Alternative treatments can work for a short time but the benefits subside over a period and lead to more frustrations for the suffering patients. Addressing the root causes range from reductions in inflammation and environmental toxic exposures, correcting/optimizing musculoskeletal/nervous issues and addressing stress and hormonal imbalances, and nutritional needs. The author briefly explains the various causes and presents case studies. A great reference and plan for a successful outcome for physicians and patients! show less

while not a very long book, it does an excellent job of describing a process that, if taken serious and followed, can make a significant difference in back pain management and elimination. While not needing the help immediately, I do from time to time deal with back pain and realized that when I do, it is because I have veered off the path outlined in the book and have made corrections. If a reader is committed to the effort, they should receive some level of success, the more committed, the show more better the chance of total success. Highly recommended. show less