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

149 Pages·2002·22.15 MB·English

by  Jim Johnson

•
The Mu ltifid us
•
Simple Exercises That Target
the Muscles That Count
JimJohnson, P.T
Foreword by Scott D. Boden, M .D.
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
\
Publisher's Note
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the
subject rnatter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in
If
rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. expert assistance or
counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2002 by Jim Johnson
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
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Cover design © 2001 by Lightbourne
Mixed Sources
Edited by Carole Honeychurch
Product group from wtll•tn1n~td
for.its tnd othe, contJoUed sources
Text design by Tracy Marie Carlson
Ctn no, SW·COC•00228l
Drawings by Eunice Johnson
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ISBN-10 1-57224-278-7
ISBN-13 978-1-57224-278-4
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America
New Harbinger Publications' website address: www.newharbinger.com
13 12 11
20 19 18 17 16 15
To my dad, who gave me the best piece of advice anyone's ever given me,
"Make your time count for you," and my mom, who always seems to
know just what to say.
•
•
One's best success comes after their
greatest disappointments.
-Henry Ward Beecher
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•
It has been my experience that in order to be comprehensive,
coherent, and concise about a particular topic, a person has to
possess vast knowledge of it. Therefore, it came as no surprise to
me that Jim Johnson's book, The Multifidus Back-Pain Solution, is
thorough, logical, and brief. Jim is my physical therapist, and that
is exactly the way he is when I visit him as a patient. During my
therapy sessions, I have often asked Jim questions relating to my
back problem, and he diligently covers every aspect of the prob
lem, referring to "Seymour" (his office skeleton) to make sure I
understand what he is referring to. In addition, he presents this
information in a style that is easy to understand and remember.
Knowing how hard it is to translate from the spoken word to
the written word, I found it quite an accomplishment that Jim has
achieved in his book the attributes I mentioned above. In fact,
while reading the manuscript, it was as if Jim was actually speak
ing directly to me.
Jim points out that there may be complicated physical and
psychological origins of back pain. However, a significant portion
of such problems is related to the functioning of the multifidus
muscle. It is therefore a strong point of thi$ book that the lay per
son will find the technical characteristics of the relationship
between the multifidus muscle and back pain are easy to under
stand. In addition, this explanation of the multifidus muscle pre
pares the reader to understand the justification for the exercises
The Multifidus Back Pain Solution
v111
he recommends. I have started on this exercise regimen myself
and can attest to its benefits.
I have over the years come across articles, books, TV pro
grams, and the like that claim to have a cure for some physical or
psychological problem. I have found a simple rule of thumb that
usually separates the serious from the opportunistic authors: the
extent to which their claims are supported by reliable and valid
research. The reader will find that Jim has supported all of his
suggestions for curing back pain with reliable and valid research
evidence.
Although the back-pain sufferer will find that the chapter
titled "Information Every Back-Pain Sufferer Needs to Know" is
worth the price of the book, they will, most importantly, find that
the relief they may find by following Jim's suggestions to reduce
their back pain is priceless.
-Norman Markel, Ph.D.
Atlanta, Georgia
October 17, 2001
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Contents
Acknowledgments . . •
XI
• • • • • • •
Foreword . . . . . . •••
. . XIII
• • • • •
Introduction .
1
• • • • • • • • • • •
What's a Multifidus? .
1 7
• • • • •
What Makes the Multifidus So Special?
2 15
• • •
The Multifidus and Back Pain: What the
3
33
Scientific Studies Have to Say.
• • • • • •
Getting the Multifidus into Shape-The
4
Exercises That Really Work! 51
• • • • • •
5 Let's Begin . 77
• • • • • • • • • • •
Information Every Back-Pain Sufferer Needs
6
87
to Know .
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Useful Information
7 . 121
• • • • • •
References . . . . 129
• • • • • •