[.ca] The Sciatica Relief Handbook (ISBN 1887053093)

Thumbs up!:
Large print, good advice,and an easy writing style make this a great book on sciatica. Many readers will find this book chock full of useful information and alternatives to treating their leg pain. Because leg pain can also come from the knees as well as the back, I recommend checking out "Treat Your Own Knees" if you think this might be contributing to you pain.

THE SCIATICA RELIEF HANDBOOK:
THIS BOOK WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND HELPFUL, ESPECIALLY IN MY DISCUSSION'S WITH MY DOCTOR AND THERAPIST.

Not Very Useful:
The author has good intentions here and points out that there are very few, if any, books about sciatica available. And he's right. Including this one, I could only find two. His intention is to provide a vast amount of information regarding treatments along with a useful Q & A section about sciatica. But this book lacks specific medical information, and the author doesn't provide a clear path to resolving this pain. It's filled with information about alternative treatments, but the author doesn't offer any definite opionions - only that 'it couldn't hurt to try'. In addition, he does have some recommended exercises for sciatica patients. I tried these exercises and my sciatica flared up even worse. This book may be useful for some people suffering from sciatica, but did not provide the information or solution that I was hoping to find.

Good for symptoms, but....:
I wasted my money on this book before I read John Sarno, M.D.'s book "Healing Back Pain". Well, it turns out that Sciatica is clearly part of TMS, which is what I have. Look up the Sarno book here at amazon, and read the reviews. The Sarno book has helped hundreds of people be free of both back AND SCIATIC pain. I am not yet 100% pain free, but I am living an unrestricted, active life without fear. Don't just treat the symptoms -- read Sarno's book and be cured!!!!!

Buy this one, but there is a better book...:
Let me start off by saying thanks to DLEAKELLER who wrote the review that says - try Dr. Sarno's book on healing back pain. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! If it wasn't for your review I would never have looked at the book seriously. I had sciatica pretty bad for 1 and 1/2 years. I found some relief from taking 4 ibuprofens once or twice a day (for months), but didn't want to live that way. My local MD quickly diagnosed sciatica with the straight leg lift test - steroids and PT didn't help. The chiropractor managed to move the pain after my first visit (Sarno's book talks about this) - it turned into what felt like electric shocks running down my leg while laying on a bench for some weight lifting and I thought that was a big improvement! He disagreed. Finally I got so desperate I did some online research and ended up here in Amazon. Searched for sciatica, and bought 3 books. Fishman's book and Cunningham's book were pretty standard fare. You know, strengthen your back, do these exercises, don't bend your back while lifting, blah, blah, blah. Luckily for me, someone else was kind enough to share their knowledge by mentioning Sarno's book in their review of the Cunningham book. I had noticed Sarno's book in the ads off to the side and immediately ignored it. Come on, how can your mind heal your back! Despite the hokey, holistic sounding description, this BOOK CURED ME!! I know, it sounds crazy. Read some of the 213 REVIEWS on the book. I'll just be repeating what most of them have to say. I read the book and I was a classic example (as are probably the vast majority of middle aged, pretty normal/responsible folks with kids, jobs, etc who also have a bit too much emotional stress which can manifest itself as sciatica). My improvements were dramatic and fast! Within a few days my pain was greatly diminished. Within 4-6 weeks it was 100% gone and I am back doing the rigorous sports I love - weightlifting, handball, tennis, raquetball, snowboarding, windsurfing, skimboarding, catamaran sailing, etc. Hey, I'm not 20 years old either - 50 is pretty close now. If you have sciatica you owe yourself the risk of spending a few bucks on Sarno's book on healing back pain. Unfortunately, you won't find the technique in this book. You won't be disappointed.