What do you think?
Rate this book
It's Your Fault: My Journey through Back Pain, a Teenager and Self-Discovery
It's Your Fault is Wendy's eight year, sometimes humorous, journey in search of a cure to back pain caused by an exercise class injury. The author takes the reader on a wild ride through the Bay Area mainstream medical community, trying epidurals, physical therapy and other procedures, When her pain doesn't improve, she moves on to the universe of the alternative healing world with Interconnection Bodywork, a proselytizing Jewish yoga teacher, French maritime pine bark and more. Meanwhile, her teenage son is using the trunk of his car as a storage unit for strawberry -flavored vodka, sneaking out of the house and night and getting caught with smoking paraphernalia on Earth Day. As Wendy's desperation mounts, she discovers a tool that teaches her to trust her own instincts and learns that trying to find a solution often aggravates the problem. Her new found awareness opens the door as she learns how to deal with back pain and embrace her family.
- GenresNonfiction
142 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2013
2 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Coblentz
1 book7 followersAfter struggling with back pain for over eight years, Wendy Coblentz became an expert in navigating the Bay Area mainstream medical world as well as the universe of alternative healing methods.
Wendy has more than 30 years of experience in fundraising and special projects consulting for non-profit institutions and organizations in the fields of social action, civil rights, health, public welfare and education. As a principal of Horne, McClatchy & Coblentz, and then as an independent consultant, Wendy directed local and national annual giving campaigns, special gift and capital campaigns as well as fundraising for political candidates and issues. In addition, she planned and coordinated philanthropic and corporate special events.
A native San Franciscan, and a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Wendy has many ties in the Bay Area community and a particular interest in the social justice reform movement. She currently is a board member of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) and an advisory board member of Beyond Differences.
Wendy has studied the Alexander Technique for six years. She lives in Mill Valley, California with her husband, Jim Lowy and one Siberian husky. She has two grown children.
Wendy has more than 30 years of experience in fundraising and special projects consulting for non-profit institutions and organizations in the fields of social action, civil rights, health, public welfare and education. As a principal of Horne, McClatchy & Coblentz, and then as an independent consultant, Wendy directed local and national annual giving campaigns, special gift and capital campaigns as well as fundraising for political candidates and issues. In addition, she planned and coordinated philanthropic and corporate special events.
A native San Franciscan, and a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Wendy has many ties in the Bay Area community and a particular interest in the social justice reform movement. She currently is a board member of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) and an advisory board member of Beyond Differences.
Wendy has studied the Alexander Technique for six years. She lives in Mill Valley, California with her husband, Jim Lowy and one Siberian husky. She has two grown children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 12, 2013
It’s Your Fault: My Journey Through Back Pain: Wendy Coblentz
Back pain, family issues bringing up a teenager and wanting to remain young and vibrant, what’s so bad about that! So, you think you are young and can move, shake, dance and live pain free even though your body says something else? Imagine waking up each morning to pain that is so excruciating, so debilitating that you wonder how you wonder how you are going to get out of bed. Don’t pretend to not know what I am saying or that you never had back pain. Some back pain can be dealt with when given the right treatment and hopefully not tons of meds. But, Wendy Coblentz will take you through her days by filling the pages of her book with stories that will make you laugh, (make sure you at either standing or sitting comfortably you don’t want to hurt your back), relate her experiences in exercise classes including one that included an earthquake just for special effects, you just don’t want to miss a page, a story or a moment in “It’s Your Fault: My Journey through Back Pain.” You decide who is to blame: your back, those treating you or you! Coming from a family that never sits still, needs to move around and enjoys working a room when necessary, you feel the energy level rise, the excitement and the frustrations as she takes us through the ups and downs of back pain.
There are many recipes that a chef can create but none so deadly as a recipe for disaster when it comes to the chronic problems that our author describes. Each time one problem is diagnosed and cannot be solved or the pain alleviated the professional whether a physical therapist or a doctor can never figure out why she does not improve stating: this never happened before in all my years of practicing whatever they are practicing.” Added in she tried some homemade remedies herself, dance classes, exercise classes, gels and other remedies prescribed or self prescribed. Like a maze that has so many twists and turns Wendy starts at the original opening but cannot find her way out. But, her back and leg pains are just the tip of the iceberg or hot pains that radiated throughout her body as her son decides to create some havoc of his own. Drinking, smoking reckless driving and an attitude problem seem reign high on his list of being a difficult teenager. Added in he can’t seem to understand why his parents are upset with his actions and feels losing his driving privileges is unfair.
Pain relief is not on the way when she agrees to see an Orthopedist whose treatments seems conventional but whose outcomes are not. Taking the reader back to her many teenage and childhood experiences she relates them with her present predicaments. Dancing lessons, which I did not like as a kid. Exercise classes that caused her much pain and trying to stay on par with the younger members of the class added to her anxieties and stress level. But, when her back finally told her that her legs were not going to cooperate either her trips to different doctors were numerous, the exercises prescribed seemed like a menu from a Chinese restaurant trying to figure out which column to choose from A, B, or C or family dinner exercise plan A, B, or C. In search of relief would she ever find it? Would anyone finally show her the way out of this maze? But, just when you think she might find relief, she does not and the answer to her problem is: It’s Your Fault Wendy! Hence the title of this book filled with funny stories, straightforward insight into the world of pain, doctors that speculate what they think is wrong, living with a teenager who needs his own Back adjustment and trying to be a wife and mother. Learning about her past before all this began we realize that her parents were as she put it movers and shakers and worked hard and never faltered. Loving her dad and enjoying working with him she especially shares at the start how he would pick her up and twirls her around and just made her world so perfect.
When describing the different treatments, the incidents from her childhood, the fact that she could never sit still in one place makes you wonder how she ever coped with so many different situations. Friendships that were difficult to deal with, two parents that were always on the move and dinner parties that were quite unique her present life does not seem that different from her past except she is older now. Childhood pranks described, smoking weed, drinking and doing the same things kids do today, did not quite prepare her for everything that her son Ben would do but perhaps did help with her understanding of why and possibly how to deal with his behaviors.
At times we wonder why this smart, intelligent and strong minded woman would give in to the wants of others, care about what others think about her and often fell prey to so many doctors, their unusual treatments, their abuse at times with their remarks and the final outcome which was often more pain. When she would enter a restaurant or store and try and use the techniques taught by the many different therapists, doctors and even the acupuncturist, you begin to wonder just what wild and crazy treatment would be next. From the ordinary, the traditional, to the outlandish and alternative plus experimental methods of treatment she endured under the wishful hope of living back pain free, Wendy Coblentz is relentless in her pursuit of living without having to make that next appointment, dealing with another treatment and hopefully not needing another one of those sharp needles.
Pain classes, alternative medicines that made her feel worse, doctors that recommended others that might help her and yet no one really listened to her complaints or heard what Wendy was relating to them. Interconnection Bodywork sounded like a computer program with too many wires and flash drives to seriously solve any problems. Sometimes we listen to others hoping they can resolve our issues. Just listening to the professionals she sought out, hearing their thoughts, wondering what they were thinking while going through their papers and coming up with what they thought was the solution was like going to a bookstore and wading through the tons of titles hoping to find one that you wanted to read but never satisfied with the selections. Back doctors, prescriptions, therapies of all kinds and the one solution that might help her she discounted.
With a son that seemed bent on finding ways to stimulate her back pain, hide liquor and other assorted paraphernalia in his room, cop Wendy uncovered the secrets to being a mother of a teenager that she hoped would finally find the right path to follow, a husband that tried not to get too frustrated with her issues and hopefully lead her way to a pain-free life.
Sometimes the only way to solve our problems is to find a way to as she states: “Trust our own instincts.” Learning what causes the pain, understanding what she can gain from her back experiences, using the one technique that helped her, stop listening to others, think for yourself and know you will get better. What technique really helped her and still does? You won’t get that information from me. You have to read it for yourself to find out just where Wendy is now and how she is managing her pain, going on with her life and just what the phrase: Turning to Myself means and how this technique not only helps her to deal with the back pain but her son, his issues and herself.
What do parents of teens have to look forward to: read page 118 and find out what you won’t need to do once they go off to college and they are supposedly on their own. From grounding, to taking away the car to finding things in their rooms that will shock your nervous system this book presents many different moods, sides, fixes and surprises that readers will find illuminating as Wendy takes you on her journey to living PAIN FREE. Smiles, laughs, tears and tons of humor fill the pages as the author never lets go of her past, her present and sees a bright light in her future. Sometimes when we look too hard we overlook the obvious.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Back pain, family issues bringing up a teenager and wanting to remain young and vibrant, what’s so bad about that! So, you think you are young and can move, shake, dance and live pain free even though your body says something else? Imagine waking up each morning to pain that is so excruciating, so debilitating that you wonder how you wonder how you are going to get out of bed. Don’t pretend to not know what I am saying or that you never had back pain. Some back pain can be dealt with when given the right treatment and hopefully not tons of meds. But, Wendy Coblentz will take you through her days by filling the pages of her book with stories that will make you laugh, (make sure you at either standing or sitting comfortably you don’t want to hurt your back), relate her experiences in exercise classes including one that included an earthquake just for special effects, you just don’t want to miss a page, a story or a moment in “It’s Your Fault: My Journey through Back Pain.” You decide who is to blame: your back, those treating you or you! Coming from a family that never sits still, needs to move around and enjoys working a room when necessary, you feel the energy level rise, the excitement and the frustrations as she takes us through the ups and downs of back pain.
There are many recipes that a chef can create but none so deadly as a recipe for disaster when it comes to the chronic problems that our author describes. Each time one problem is diagnosed and cannot be solved or the pain alleviated the professional whether a physical therapist or a doctor can never figure out why she does not improve stating: this never happened before in all my years of practicing whatever they are practicing.” Added in she tried some homemade remedies herself, dance classes, exercise classes, gels and other remedies prescribed or self prescribed. Like a maze that has so many twists and turns Wendy starts at the original opening but cannot find her way out. But, her back and leg pains are just the tip of the iceberg or hot pains that radiated throughout her body as her son decides to create some havoc of his own. Drinking, smoking reckless driving and an attitude problem seem reign high on his list of being a difficult teenager. Added in he can’t seem to understand why his parents are upset with his actions and feels losing his driving privileges is unfair.
Pain relief is not on the way when she agrees to see an Orthopedist whose treatments seems conventional but whose outcomes are not. Taking the reader back to her many teenage and childhood experiences she relates them with her present predicaments. Dancing lessons, which I did not like as a kid. Exercise classes that caused her much pain and trying to stay on par with the younger members of the class added to her anxieties and stress level. But, when her back finally told her that her legs were not going to cooperate either her trips to different doctors were numerous, the exercises prescribed seemed like a menu from a Chinese restaurant trying to figure out which column to choose from A, B, or C or family dinner exercise plan A, B, or C. In search of relief would she ever find it? Would anyone finally show her the way out of this maze? But, just when you think she might find relief, she does not and the answer to her problem is: It’s Your Fault Wendy! Hence the title of this book filled with funny stories, straightforward insight into the world of pain, doctors that speculate what they think is wrong, living with a teenager who needs his own Back adjustment and trying to be a wife and mother. Learning about her past before all this began we realize that her parents were as she put it movers and shakers and worked hard and never faltered. Loving her dad and enjoying working with him she especially shares at the start how he would pick her up and twirls her around and just made her world so perfect.
When describing the different treatments, the incidents from her childhood, the fact that she could never sit still in one place makes you wonder how she ever coped with so many different situations. Friendships that were difficult to deal with, two parents that were always on the move and dinner parties that were quite unique her present life does not seem that different from her past except she is older now. Childhood pranks described, smoking weed, drinking and doing the same things kids do today, did not quite prepare her for everything that her son Ben would do but perhaps did help with her understanding of why and possibly how to deal with his behaviors.
At times we wonder why this smart, intelligent and strong minded woman would give in to the wants of others, care about what others think about her and often fell prey to so many doctors, their unusual treatments, their abuse at times with their remarks and the final outcome which was often more pain. When she would enter a restaurant or store and try and use the techniques taught by the many different therapists, doctors and even the acupuncturist, you begin to wonder just what wild and crazy treatment would be next. From the ordinary, the traditional, to the outlandish and alternative plus experimental methods of treatment she endured under the wishful hope of living back pain free, Wendy Coblentz is relentless in her pursuit of living without having to make that next appointment, dealing with another treatment and hopefully not needing another one of those sharp needles.
Pain classes, alternative medicines that made her feel worse, doctors that recommended others that might help her and yet no one really listened to her complaints or heard what Wendy was relating to them. Interconnection Bodywork sounded like a computer program with too many wires and flash drives to seriously solve any problems. Sometimes we listen to others hoping they can resolve our issues. Just listening to the professionals she sought out, hearing their thoughts, wondering what they were thinking while going through their papers and coming up with what they thought was the solution was like going to a bookstore and wading through the tons of titles hoping to find one that you wanted to read but never satisfied with the selections. Back doctors, prescriptions, therapies of all kinds and the one solution that might help her she discounted.
With a son that seemed bent on finding ways to stimulate her back pain, hide liquor and other assorted paraphernalia in his room, cop Wendy uncovered the secrets to being a mother of a teenager that she hoped would finally find the right path to follow, a husband that tried not to get too frustrated with her issues and hopefully lead her way to a pain-free life.
Sometimes the only way to solve our problems is to find a way to as she states: “Trust our own instincts.” Learning what causes the pain, understanding what she can gain from her back experiences, using the one technique that helped her, stop listening to others, think for yourself and know you will get better. What technique really helped her and still does? You won’t get that information from me. You have to read it for yourself to find out just where Wendy is now and how she is managing her pain, going on with her life and just what the phrase: Turning to Myself means and how this technique not only helps her to deal with the back pain but her son, his issues and herself.
What do parents of teens have to look forward to: read page 118 and find out what you won’t need to do once they go off to college and they are supposedly on their own. From grounding, to taking away the car to finding things in their rooms that will shock your nervous system this book presents many different moods, sides, fixes and surprises that readers will find illuminating as Wendy takes you on her journey to living PAIN FREE. Smiles, laughs, tears and tons of humor fill the pages as the author never lets go of her past, her present and sees a bright light in her future. Sometimes when we look too hard we overlook the obvious.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
August 13, 2013
Being one of the books I really wanted to read when I applied for it in the Goodreads giveaway, I was thrilled when I actually won it! Back pain (and back problems in general) have been a point of interest for me over the past year or so due to having projects related to the topic, and so I was eager to read more about it from the personal perspective of someone dealing with it. The reading was light, airy, funny and sarcastic, and I felt like the author was sitting right in front of me telling me her story in person. Definitely an enjoyable read for someone who is looking for a short, entertaining non-fiction book.
Basically, the story is about the author - the twists and turns life took her on in dealing with her back pain on top of her history with depression, a rebellious teenage son, and a husband who doesn't seem to care to be very involved. Although not technically funny (since she's in pain) I always found it somewhat hilarious when the author would state that she would drop to the floor at anytime/place when her back pain became too much to handle. I felt really bad for her for going through that, but as she mentions in some scenes in her story, she would drop literally anywhere on any floor - be it her home or the shopping center. Not included in the book, but something you would think would be a concern, was that very few people (i.e. strangers) commented on her lying on the floor in public areas. You'd think someone doing an act so odd would trigger a concerned response from the people around her. So either it just wasn't mentioned for whatever reason, or this is something that needs to be addressed in What Would You Do?
Throughout her trials, I kept thinking - wow that's super expensive! I hoped she realized how lucky she was (OK, perhaps it's not luck but it's still something to be thankful for) that she was able to afford trying (and continuing had they worked out) any treatment she came across. Not everyone who may be dealing with a similar chronic pain is able to have available options and not only regularly see a specialized doctor and psychiatrist, but also see various other professionals, albeit for shorter periods of time.
I was (unjustifiably) a little bit disappointed with the ending - even though it is the author's real life and so isn't necessarily going to have a cliched "happy ending", I felt the frustration of the author at not reaching a physical solution to her pain, at no variant of therapy having any sort of effect in alleviating the pain. I was so badly rooting for something to finally work. But then that was exactly the whole point of her writing her story - That anything/everything out there may not work, and that's okay, because not every person is the same and so they won't all respond to any treatment in the exact same/similar manner. Unfortunately for her, though, she didn't respond to anything in any similar manner. The moral of the story, I felt, was very similar to the premise of books like The Secret - changing your mentality, changing the way you decide to respond to things, changing how you'll think about things, really does have an impact on your lifestyle. So even though she still has back pain which is physically intense, her mentality has changed. She has become more positive and more aware of how she should respond to stressful situations and as a result the back pain isn't as in control of her life as it used to be.
Basically, the story is about the author - the twists and turns life took her on in dealing with her back pain on top of her history with depression, a rebellious teenage son, and a husband who doesn't seem to care to be very involved. Although not technically funny (since she's in pain) I always found it somewhat hilarious when the author would state that she would drop to the floor at anytime/place when her back pain became too much to handle. I felt really bad for her for going through that, but as she mentions in some scenes in her story, she would drop literally anywhere on any floor - be it her home or the shopping center. Not included in the book, but something you would think would be a concern, was that very few people (i.e. strangers) commented on her lying on the floor in public areas. You'd think someone doing an act so odd would trigger a concerned response from the people around her. So either it just wasn't mentioned for whatever reason, or this is something that needs to be addressed in What Would You Do?
Throughout her trials, I kept thinking - wow that's super expensive! I hoped she realized how lucky she was (OK, perhaps it's not luck but it's still something to be thankful for) that she was able to afford trying (and continuing had they worked out) any treatment she came across. Not everyone who may be dealing with a similar chronic pain is able to have available options and not only regularly see a specialized doctor and psychiatrist, but also see various other professionals, albeit for shorter periods of time.
I was (unjustifiably) a little bit disappointed with the ending - even though it is the author's real life and so isn't necessarily going to have a cliched "happy ending", I felt the frustration of the author at not reaching a physical solution to her pain, at no variant of therapy having any sort of effect in alleviating the pain. I was so badly rooting for something to finally work. But then that was exactly the whole point of her writing her story - That anything/everything out there may not work, and that's okay, because not every person is the same and so they won't all respond to any treatment in the exact same/similar manner. Unfortunately for her, though, she didn't respond to anything in any similar manner. The moral of the story, I felt, was very similar to the premise of books like The Secret - changing your mentality, changing the way you decide to respond to things, changing how you'll think about things, really does have an impact on your lifestyle. So even though she still has back pain which is physically intense, her mentality has changed. She has become more positive and more aware of how she should respond to stressful situations and as a result the back pain isn't as in control of her life as it used to be.
September 26, 2013
It's Your Fault - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish
I had followed the recommendations from the exercise teacher, physical therapist, yoga instructor, and pain psychologist. My brain surged into overload with advice. The therapist whose expertise was human and equine neurofeedback suggested I eliminate dairy, meat, gluten, sugar, and salt form my diet, dismissing my pleas that I would starve. A practitioner advised using the $75 water pillow for better alignment. I spent a week of sleepless nights sloshing around on the high seas. I began to second-guess myself with every move, ranging from how I walked to how I picked up a pencil, always wondering if I was doing anything right. The lure of alternative medicine was leading me into the bowels of despair. I felt batted around like a tether ball, dangling in the wind when the game was over - and my back still hurt.
When I picked up this book to read I thought "boy, someone who has the same problem I have - back pain." Most people either know someone who has a back problem or have the problem themselves. If you happen to be someone who doesn't have or never have had back problems, there is no way you can fully understand what we go through. There is, of course, tremendous pain that you have no control over. Then there is the constant moaning that eventually seems to get on everyone's nerves. We finally learn to live with our pain but at the expense of our own sanity, which is at times controlled by meds and tears. Then there are the doctors. I really believe that one qualification a doctor must have is to experience back pain themselves before proclaiming to understand or treating our problem.
Fortunately for me, and others who read this book, we now have a list of just about every treatment that has been created. Wendy Coblentz takes us through how every treatment is supposed to work and how it really works. This book will save you so much money by giving you a choice of what might and might not work for you by following how it worked for the Author.
It is like a dictionary of back treatments, but it's more than a book of possible medical treatments for the back. The humor woven throughout gave me another laugh that I could relate to. The Author's raising of a son brought back memories of my raising a rebellious daughter of my own. This book is not just for those who have back problems, it's actually for everyone. I loved it!
I had followed the recommendations from the exercise teacher, physical therapist, yoga instructor, and pain psychologist. My brain surged into overload with advice. The therapist whose expertise was human and equine neurofeedback suggested I eliminate dairy, meat, gluten, sugar, and salt form my diet, dismissing my pleas that I would starve. A practitioner advised using the $75 water pillow for better alignment. I spent a week of sleepless nights sloshing around on the high seas. I began to second-guess myself with every move, ranging from how I walked to how I picked up a pencil, always wondering if I was doing anything right. The lure of alternative medicine was leading me into the bowels of despair. I felt batted around like a tether ball, dangling in the wind when the game was over - and my back still hurt.
When I picked up this book to read I thought "boy, someone who has the same problem I have - back pain." Most people either know someone who has a back problem or have the problem themselves. If you happen to be someone who doesn't have or never have had back problems, there is no way you can fully understand what we go through. There is, of course, tremendous pain that you have no control over. Then there is the constant moaning that eventually seems to get on everyone's nerves. We finally learn to live with our pain but at the expense of our own sanity, which is at times controlled by meds and tears. Then there are the doctors. I really believe that one qualification a doctor must have is to experience back pain themselves before proclaiming to understand or treating our problem.
Fortunately for me, and others who read this book, we now have a list of just about every treatment that has been created. Wendy Coblentz takes us through how every treatment is supposed to work and how it really works. This book will save you so much money by giving you a choice of what might and might not work for you by following how it worked for the Author.
It is like a dictionary of back treatments, but it's more than a book of possible medical treatments for the back. The humor woven throughout gave me another laugh that I could relate to. The Author's raising of a son brought back memories of my raising a rebellious daughter of my own. This book is not just for those who have back problems, it's actually for everyone. I loved it!
August 26, 2013
IT’S YOUR FAULT: MY JOURNEY THROUGH BACK PAIN, A TEENAGER AND SELF-DISCOVERY BY WENDY COBLENTZ
What an unusual and marvellous book this is. Full of amazing facts, laced with a great sense of humour.
What a journey this author takes us on in her effort to find a cure for her back pain. We travel with her as she goes from doctor to doctor and therapist to so called ‘experts’ seeking relief from constant back pain, along the way dealing with all the problems of a teenage son.
Fortunately, I have never suffered from back problems but still I could almost feel the pain and certainly the frustration of the author, along this incredible journey.
As the mother of two teenage sons in the now long distance past, I can relate to the problems Ben poses to his mum. I love the way she deals with this. All the while, in the background, is Jim the author’s husband, being supportive while trying to concentrate on important business matters.
As I progressed through this book, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Will this next appointment be the one? What will happen at the yoga class? How much longer will this lady have to suffer?
I love the flash backs to the past and laughed at the ‘coconut’ episode in her childhood when her dad cracked open a coconut and what happened afterwards.
There are times you will feel sad at the things the author misses due to the pain but there are many instances you want to laugh out loud at the marvellous descriptions of the people she comes into contact with and the way she undertakes some of the many exercises are positively hilarious. The Dying Cockroach? Pigeon Pose? This book really has to be read.
This is not just about finding relief from suffering but as the title indicates also about teenagers and self-discovery, written with a unique sense of humour. It is also about how the author rises above constant pain with optimism.
A book for everyone to enjoy but especially anyone who has ever suffered back pain as it is also a guide to the various treatments available.
I recommend it as a must read. Thank you Wendy Coblentz for a truly fascinating story.
What an unusual and marvellous book this is. Full of amazing facts, laced with a great sense of humour.
What a journey this author takes us on in her effort to find a cure for her back pain. We travel with her as she goes from doctor to doctor and therapist to so called ‘experts’ seeking relief from constant back pain, along the way dealing with all the problems of a teenage son.
Fortunately, I have never suffered from back problems but still I could almost feel the pain and certainly the frustration of the author, along this incredible journey.
As the mother of two teenage sons in the now long distance past, I can relate to the problems Ben poses to his mum. I love the way she deals with this. All the while, in the background, is Jim the author’s husband, being supportive while trying to concentrate on important business matters.
As I progressed through this book, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Will this next appointment be the one? What will happen at the yoga class? How much longer will this lady have to suffer?
I love the flash backs to the past and laughed at the ‘coconut’ episode in her childhood when her dad cracked open a coconut and what happened afterwards.
There are times you will feel sad at the things the author misses due to the pain but there are many instances you want to laugh out loud at the marvellous descriptions of the people she comes into contact with and the way she undertakes some of the many exercises are positively hilarious. The Dying Cockroach? Pigeon Pose? This book really has to be read.
This is not just about finding relief from suffering but as the title indicates also about teenagers and self-discovery, written with a unique sense of humour. It is also about how the author rises above constant pain with optimism.
A book for everyone to enjoy but especially anyone who has ever suffered back pain as it is also a guide to the various treatments available.
I recommend it as a must read. Thank you Wendy Coblentz for a truly fascinating story.
August 23, 2013
"It's Your Fault: My Journey through Back Pain, a Teenager and Self-Discovery" by Wendy Coblentz was recommended to me by a friend with high literary credibility and this book did not disappoint.
Living in a household that deals with enormous chronic and incurable pain I can very much relate to the dreadful way in which the pain and the search for relief or a cure takes over ones life. You'd almost go mad if you didn't.
Coblentz however describes this journey in a very entertaining and humorous style. Desperate for a solution she tries traditional, experimental and alternative ways while shedding also light at the kind of person she was before the back pain: the teenager, the daughter, the wife and the mother.
It was sad to read about the loss of life quality even through the quirky presentation and distracting humour. This is however a positive story of survival of the spirit and self-discovery and allows us insights into the personal development and the lessons learned by the author.
Having found her way out of her predicament Coblentz does an excellent job at sharing her experience as a guide and help for others and shows that underneath all the pain and tragedy the A personality has survived and is back in almost full swing.
This seems an important book for many people in similar situations. Even if the solutions and techniques may not be suitable for their pain or individual situation, the lessons provided about acceptance of your situation and a mindful approach to your problems are truly magic.
Living in a household that deals with enormous chronic and incurable pain I can very much relate to the dreadful way in which the pain and the search for relief or a cure takes over ones life. You'd almost go mad if you didn't.
Coblentz however describes this journey in a very entertaining and humorous style. Desperate for a solution she tries traditional, experimental and alternative ways while shedding also light at the kind of person she was before the back pain: the teenager, the daughter, the wife and the mother.
It was sad to read about the loss of life quality even through the quirky presentation and distracting humour. This is however a positive story of survival of the spirit and self-discovery and allows us insights into the personal development and the lessons learned by the author.
Having found her way out of her predicament Coblentz does an excellent job at sharing her experience as a guide and help for others and shows that underneath all the pain and tragedy the A personality has survived and is back in almost full swing.
This seems an important book for many people in similar situations. Even if the solutions and techniques may not be suitable for their pain or individual situation, the lessons provided about acceptance of your situation and a mindful approach to your problems are truly magic.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews