Ending Back Pain

June 2, 2014
Neurosurgeon Stern, a professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, specializes in spinal surgery and is cofounder of Spine Options, a facility committed to nonsurgical care of neck and back pain. He helps readers become their own advocates in a quest to break the “secret code” to their back pain—the second most common neurological ailment in the U.S. Stern emphasizes that an accurate diagnosis is the only way to address the problem, and defines and explains six pain generators. In separate chapters, the author advises readers on how to unlock their “pain code,” prepare to work with health care professionals, ensure a proper diagnosis, embrace pathways to healing, and learn to live a life that supports back health. Stern advocates a holistic, less-is-more approach, and notes that surgery often doesn’t eliminate pain; he encourages readers to equip themselves with as much knowledge as possible. The author also shares his own adventures with back pain and uses anecdotes from his practice to illustrate that back pain can come from many sources (such as kidney stones or a bacterial infection, as well as more obvious causes). Readers with back pain will find this resource rich with valuable information and advice. Agent: Bonnie Solow, Solow Literary.