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Product Description:
Studies suggest that proactive strengthening and
flexibility-recovery exercises can speed healing after spine
surgery. Whether you’re preparing for or recovering from spinal
surgery, recuperating from a back injury, or just dealing with a
back that has "issues," this book offers an effective program to
help you manage pain and regain strength and mobility.
These exercises modify traditional Pilates
routines to accommodate partially immobilized spines, making this
routine safe and effective therapy for your fragile back. The
exercises are designed to not compromise a spinal fusion. Instead,
they will do what Pilates exercises do best—stretch, strengthen, and
tone the trunk with precise positioning and movement, while avoiding
potentially dangerous repetition and overexertion.
"Pilates for Fragile Backs is an excellent
program for people who have had spinal fusion. The simple but
effective Pilates-based exercises will help tremendously in reducing
pain and restoring mobility." —Vijay Vad, MD, assistant professor of
rehabilitation medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell
University and author of Back Rx and Arthritis Rx.
"…Adhering to a program of Pilates, as described
in Pilates for Fragile Backs, under the guidance of a certified
instructor can be a most useful means to improve back function and
relieve pain. Clearly, this is a valuable therapeutic modality that
is underutilized in today’s current pain management programs
associated with spinal disorders." —Charles Birbara, MD, chief of
rheumatology at Worcester City Hospital in Worcester, MA
"In my practice, I constantly emphasize the
importance of proper spinal alignment, good posture and a strong
mid-section. Pilates for Fragile Backs highlights these points in an
easy-to-follow exercise program for patients suffering with chronic
back pain. I have recommended this program to many of my patients,
and they are thrilled with the results." —Anthony S. Rainka, DC,
South County Chiropractic, Sutton, MA
"As a physical therapist, I have been able to
utilize the exercises in Pilates for Fragile Backs with my clients.
They have shown a reduction in pain, an improvement in posture and
balance, increased strength, and healthier muscle tone. Best of all,
the program does wonders for their self-esteem." —Pam Craig-Stewart,
PT, director of rehabilitation at Christopher House in Worcester, MA
"This book is a much needed labor of love that
offers clear and helpful advice for anyone who has ever lived with
chronic back pain. The spine problems addressed in this book are
very challenging ones for doctors and therapists alike, and the
authors use their first hand experience with spinal trauma to break
new ground for exercise therapy. A specifically modified Pilates
program indeed offers the possibility of comfort and relief for a
largely under-served group in our society." —Ellen Kiley, RYT,
therapeutic yoga practitioner specializing in scoliosis and spinal
fusion
"I underwent an anterior/posterior fusion (L4-S1)
over a year ago due to degenerative disk disease with annular tears.
Since then, Pilates has done wonders for me. I started pursuing
basic lumbar stabilization mat work a couple of months following
surgery. I had urged my neurosurgeon to allow me to begin sooner
than usual because I’d had a big increase in pain. My physical
therapist felt it had to do with the stiffness that begins to set in
as the weeks go by without stretching and exercising. I had every
confidence that Pilates would improve my situation and I swear by
it! I've been back to work full-time. I am also walking about four
miles, three days a week! I’m sure Pilates for Fragile Backs will be
a major help to many others." —Diana Stahl, Cincinnati, OH |