The Back Book

A proven method for Beating Low Back Pain Forever Award-winning osteopath Gavin Routledge and former international rugby star Gavin Hastings OBE, who suffered from bouts of back pain during his playing career, here join forces to help sufferers of low back pain get better and live a more active life.

The key to Routledge's approach lies in: UNDERSTANDING: demystifying the anatomy of your back and its condition so that you can prevent the same problem occurring again MOTIVATION: if you give up you'll stiffen up!

Using techniques employed by successful sports and business people you will fi nd real commitment to follow your recovery programme RELAXATION: comfortable body positions and the importance of balancing gentle exercise with adequate rest GENTLE EXERCISE: a carefully-devised regime of gradual movement with step-by-step photographs POSTURE AND MOVEMENT: including how to sit, stand, lie down, bend, lift, carry, drive or cycle And all your questions are answered in this easy-to-follow manual including: Where should I go for help? What tests, investigation or surgery might be involved? What drug or other options for pain relief might be useful? What sports are safe to play and what movements should I avoid? How can I avoid back problems in pregnancy? GAVIN ROUTLEDGE D.O.(Hons) was awarded the Gold Medal for Distinction by the British School of Osteopathy.

He has practised in London, New Zealand and now has clinics in Edinburgh, West Lothian and Fife in Scotland: Active X Osteopaths.

GAVIN HASTINGS O.B.E. was fi rst treated for low back pain by Routledge only weeks before a crucial international match.

The techniques and advice given then enabled him to play pain free until his retirement from International Rugby following the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.