Back Exercise

Learn about back pain and what you can do about it.

Most people will experience back pain at some point in their lives, but only a few have the resolve to seek answers and find relief. Back Exercise: Stabilize, Mobilize, and Reduce Pain explores the anatomy and movement of the spine and offers exercises that will help you move—and feel—better.

Back Exercise goes beyond exercise and rehabilitation to help you understand the why behind spinal conditions and back pain. Throughout the book, unique clay models of the spine reveal each layer of the spinal anatomy, from the spinal vertebrae and discs to the muscle and tissue. These engaging full-color photos make it easy to visualize the structure and biomechanics of the spine and uncover the sources of your pain.

You’ll then be guided through an evaluation of your current back health with a self-assessment. Using only the floor, a wall, and a camera, you can check your pain response to several simple exercises and identify postural deviations and muscular imbalances in your body.

Once you’ve assessed your back mobility, the book features 60 exercises—complete with instructions and safety tips—that help stabilize, strengthen, and rehabilitate the spine. Create foundational stability for your spine, extend your range of motion, and relieve pain with exercises that build strength, mobility, and flexibility in your back.

Finally, Back Exercise explores five common spinal conditions: nonspecific low back pain, disc bulge and herniation, spondylolisthesis, stenosis, and spinal surgeries such as spinal fusion. Six months’ worth of tailored exercise plans are presented for each condition, offering a safe progression of exercises to improve mobility, increase stability, and reduce pain.

No one wants to live with back pain or discomfort. With Back Exercise you will understand the sources of your pain and take control of your back health for the long term.

Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.

Audience

Individuals with back pain or back mobility issues. Also, personal trainers and other fitness professionals who work with people with back issues.

Part I. The Spinal Unit
Chapter 1. Anatomy of the Spine
Chapter 2. Spinal Stability Training
Chapter 3. Assess Yourself

Part II. Exercises
Chapter 4. Supine and Prone Exercises
Chapter 5. Quadruped, Seated, and Standing Exercises
Chapter 6. Mobility and Flexibility Exercises

Part III. Common Conditions
Chapter 7. Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Chapter 8. Disc Bulge and Herniation
Chapter 9. Spondylolisthesis
Chapter 10. Stenosis
Chapter 11. Spinal Surgeries

Brian Richey is a personal trainer, educator, and industry leader in the fields of medical exercise and corrective exercise. His unique approach to managing clients’ medical conditions through exercise has helped thousands move better, stand taller, and exercise without pain.

Brian earned his BS in kinesiology and exercise science from the University of Hawaii. He has multiple certifications from the American Academy of Health, Fitness, and Rehabilitation Professionals: Medical Exercise Program Director, Medical Exercise Specialist, and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist. He is a faculty educator and master instructor with Balanced Body.

Brian brings his knowledge in medical exercise, corrective exercise, and integrated movement to the masses through lectures and workshops, both in person and online. He is based in Washington, D.C., where he proudly owns and operates Fit 4 Life DC.

“Brian Richey is a medical exercise specialist known around the world for his ability to get people out of pain through exercise. Back Exercise: Stabilize, Mobilize, and Reduce Pain will help you understand what kind of pain you have and how to treat it. He makes complicated concepts easy and provides effective exercise strategies for people with muscular, disc-related, or spine-related low back pain.”
—Nora St. John, MS, NCPT, Education Program Director at Balanced Body Inc.

“There’s no one person better suited to identify and rehabilitate your back pain. Brian Richey takes the time to give you the why behind the what by illustrating the anatomy, using clay on a skeleton to demonstrate what is happening in your body. His advice and exercises will help you find relief. Back Exercise: Stabilize, Mobilize, and Reduce Pain is a must-read for everybody!”
—Portia Page, Author of Pilates Illustrated

“Brian Richey has a strong grasp of kinesiology and corrective exercise—he is an incredibly talented exercise professional. Back Exercise: Stabilize, Mobilize, and Reduce Pain should be on the shelf of anyone in the field.”
—Scott Kahan, MD, MPH, Director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness

Activate spinal stabilizers with the ball birddog
Take a look at the entire spinal unit
Understand the spinal condition spondylolisthesis