Back Pain: Questions You Have-- Answers You Need

This is an excellent work which describes the diagnosis andcomparative treatments for back pain. Strains, sprains, spasms and disc problems are the cited sources of back pain. Treatmentmodalities are bed rest, exercise, spinal manipulation, braces, pharmaceuticals, counter stimulation chemonucleolysis andacupuncture. The details of spinal surgery are described ingreat detail. For instance," In a simple fusion procedure, the surgeon makes an incision-usually in the back, but sometimes in the abdomen-aboutthree inches long and, as in a discectomy, pushes asidemuscles and ligaments to reach the vertebrae. He attaches bone grafts, about the size and shape of matchsticks, onto the facet joints. Larger pieces of bone are used between vertebrae.Over time-generally four to nine months-the bones and bonegrafts grow together, and the two vertebrae are fused into a single, solid unit."The author provides numerous prevention strategies whichanticipate back pain. This book makes excellent reading andit is a worthy addition to your personal health library.