The Multifidus Back Pain Solution: Simple Exercises That Target the Muscles That Count

by Jim Johnson

Based on breakthrough results from the newest scientifically proven research, this guide offers back-pain sufferers real relief—simple exercises that target the exact muscles that have been newly identified to be the source of most back pain.If you are one of the millions who suffer from recurring back pain, and have found that your attempts at complicated and time-consuming exercise programs and treatments have not helped, it’s time to learn the simple techniques that strengthen the specific muscles that are at the root of your pain. Start living free from pain now!When physical therapist Jim Johnson reviewed the back-pain studies in peer-reviewed medical journals published over the past fifteen years, he found that the research suggested that a specific set of muscles played a key role in a great majority of back-pain incidences. The results showed that most back-pain sufferers have undeveloped multifidus (mull-tiff-i-dus) muscles. These muscles connect the spinal vertebrae together and play a subtle, but critical, role in bending and twisting motions of the back. If they are weak, inflamed, or in spasm, they can cause chronic back pain. In response to these findings, Johnson devised a simple series of exercises that focus on strengthening the multifidus muscles—and had fabulous results in reducing back pain for a variety of patients.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

132 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2002

About the author

Jim Johnson, P.T. is a physical therapist who has spent over 25 years treating both inpatients and outpatients with a wide range of pain and mobility problems. He has written many books based completely on published research and controlled trials. His books have been translated into other languages, and thousands of copies have been sold worldwide.

Besides working full-time as a clinician in a large teaching hospital and writing books, Jim is a certified Clinical Instructor by the American Physical Therapy Association and enjoys teaching physical therapy students from all over the United States.

Reviews

[Jonathan Link · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in clear, layman terms. Interesting reading from a PT's perspective to see what verbage was used and how he explains it. Provides good comprehensive explanation for the categorization system and use of the exercises, albeit feels like it can miss many nuances once placed into the mechanical derangement group. The dispute with McKenzie approach is understandable but would almost consider that it's own category. Overall it is well written and would provide more understanding, context, and starting exercises for someone dealing with LBP vs. going through the "shotgun" approach or not being educated on the basis of the decision making progress.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched with lots of enlightening information. It is probably most useful for someone without a scientific background as it really sounds a lot of time going over basics, which was unnecessary for me. I also wish there were more exercises in the book since that was what intrigued me to read it

[Mamoun Bennani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book.
It's supposed to give general information for patients with back pain, but the knowledge goes way beyond that. The writer supports each detail with scientific studies and teaches you how to have a critical thinking when it comes to physical therapy theories.
Highly recommend for both back-pain sufferers and practitioners.

[Pam Strachan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book. Too early to say if it will ease the chronic back pain that has been happening since I fractured my spine.
Fingers crossed.

[Shandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative while at the same time easy to understand. Great information for me, someone with back pain.

[Heather Fryling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who works with back pain knows that people can live with all sorts of dysfunction up until a triggering event finally blows up, creating a severe pain picture. The Multifidus Back Pain Solution present research making a strong case that multifuds strength is the difference between a compensating, non-painful back and an unstable, painful back. A quick, easy exercise program to gain multifidus strength is also provided. This is highly practical, helpful information.

However, I could only take the writing style for so long. I understand this is written for general audiences, but I can only tolerate so much, "Now, wasn't that easy? See? You can understand. Now stick with me...."

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for someone with lower back pain, or for someone who frequently or occasionally hurts their back lifting something heavy. The author did extensive research of the scientific literature before settling on a *very* simple and easy set of exercises that are proven to help back pain sufferers. Highly recommended.