Back Mechanic by Dr. Stuart McGill (2015-09-30) Paperback – 1 Jan. 2015

If you are experiencing back pain or it continues to reoccur this book is essential reading. I came across Dr McGill on a podcast and it was (no exaggeration) life changing. Back Mechanic does what it says - it gives you the tools to help yourself and I can now see that certain “good” habits and exercises were actually making me worse. I suspected this, but it is comforting to have a specialist set out why certain exercices are better than others for those with back problems. The book is succinct but comprehensive with clear diagrams and explanations.It also gives more than practical advice, it is filled with positivity and gives hope to those of us who think we will never be better than just ok. I would highly recommend - it is an incredible resource for the money.

Very useful I have suffered with a herniated disc this book has helped and is helping me to get my life back. Specifically the big 3 but there are many other useful techniques in this book.

This book was recommended and it is really brilliant. If you’ve suffered with back pain chronically or it always comes back, this book is for you. I’ve been pain free since employing the techniques inside. What a relief!For those who want to go further after healing their back pain he has follow up books for athletes etc.

I purchased this book after watching a very convincing interview with McGill and Attia. The book is well written and very east to follow. The exercises are well documented, thoroughly explained and, in my opinion better than a video. It gave clear instructions of a very achievable pro-back exercise plan. My only criticism is that he writes a considerable amount of pages on the dismissal of surgery and no pages on what to do if you have had surgery. I made the decision, without any pressure from the medical profession, to have surgery and like most people I have spoken to, I have no regrets. I completely respect and to a certain extent agree with Dr McGill's argument but think that in his total belief and enthusiasm for his own approach, he has not presented a balanced argument. Therefore, there is no information on post-operative rehabilitation or back care. However, I am using his exercise program and its seems to be going well so maybe specific post op advice after 6 weeks is not necessary.

Brilliant explanations and theory’s has changed my physical and mental state off suffering chronic back pain. By understanding my back mechanics and sources of pain in such a way makes the exercises so effective having knowledge.The ideas and does and don’t at first read made me unsure as go against most things I’ve always done but worked

I highly recommend this book. I had two herniated discs which gave me back pain and severe sciatica. Over time the pain and sciatica went, but when I started exercising again the back pain returned and I was scared the sciatica would come back too, and that was when I found this book. Applying Dr McGill's advice and exercises got rid of the pain completely and I feel that my back is much more resilient than before. My partner has also had back problems and has seen a big improvement using the exercises. The price of this book is less than one physiotherapist / chiropractor's appointment, so it's worth trying, especially if your back pain is due to a herniated disc (one of the most common causes in people aged 30-50). Dr McGill is a professor of spine biomechanics and he really knows his stuff. This book is much easier to understand for the layman than his other books. I was really surprised that the book had any negative reviews at all. One reviewer said that the book consists of stabilisation exercises that can be found elsewhere on the internet - I have certainly seen a few of these on YouTube, and normally the creators of those videos will credit Dr McGill. However I have also seen lots of terrible advice about back pain on the internet, so I would say it's safer to use this book. And the book also has tests to help diagnose the cause of the back pain and advice about improving movement patterns, so it has more than just the exercises.

Excellent resource to help you diagnose, or confirm, your back problem and how to manage it.

This comprehensive book was purchased for my husband on recommendation of a friend. Although the book did not have the fine details of his particular rare problem it has given an enormous amount of detailed helpful information regarding all aspects of the back written in easy to understand language with good clear diagrams