Crooked : outwitting the back pain industry and getting on the road to recovery

The acclaimed author of __Carved in Sand__—a veteran investigative journalist who endured persistent back pain for decades—delivers the definitive book on the subject: an essential examination of all facets of the back pain industry, exploring what works, what doesn't, what may cause harm, and how to get on the road to recovery. In her effort to manage her chronic back pain, investigative reporter Cathryn Jakobson Ramin spent years and a small fortune on a panoply of treatments. But her discomfort only intensified, leaving her feeling frustrated and perplexed. As she searched for better solutions, she exposed a much bigger problem. Costing roughly $100 billion a year, spine medicine—often ineffective and sometimes harmful —exemplified the worst aspects of the U.S. health care system. The result of six years of intensive investigation, __Crooked__ offers a startling look at the poorly identified risks of spine medicine, and provides practical advice and solutions. Ramin interviewed scores of spine surgeons, pain management doctors, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, chiropractors, specialized bodywork practitioners. She met with many patients whose pain and desperation led them to make life-altering decisions, and with others who triumphed over their limitations. The result is a brilliant and comprehensive book that is not only important but essential to millions of back pain sufferers, and all types of health care professionals. Ramin shatters assumptions about surgery, chiropractic methods, physical therapy, spinal injections and painkillers, and addresses evidence-based rehabilitation options—showing, in detail, how to avoid therapeutic dead ends, while saving money, time, and considerable anguish. With __Crooked,__ she reveals what it takes to outwit the back pain industry and get on the road to recovery. The acclaimed author of Carved in Sand —a veteran investigative journalist who endured persistent back pain for decades—delivers the definitive book on the subject: an essential examination of all facets of the back pain industry, exploring what works, what doesn't, what may cause harm, and how to get on the road to recovery. In her effort to manage her chronic back pain, investigative reporter Cathryn Jakobson Ramin spent years and a small fortune on a panoply of treatments. But her discomfort only intensified, leaving her feeling frustrated and perplexed. As she searched for better solutions, she exposed a much bigger problem. Costing roughly $100 billion a year, spine medicine—often ineffective and sometimes harmful —exemplified the worst aspects of the U.S. health care system. The result of six years of intensive investigation, Crooked offers a startling look at the poorly identified risks of spine medicine, and provides practical advice and solutions. Ramin interviewed scores of spine surgeons, pain management doctors, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, chiropractors, specialized bodywork practitioners. She met with many patients whose pain and desperation led them to make life-altering decisions, and with others who triumphed over their limitations. The result is a brilliant and comprehensive book that is not only important but essential to millions of back pain sufferers, and all types of health care professionals. Ramin shatters assumptions about surgery, chiropractic methods, physical therapy, spinal injections and painkillers, and addresses evidence-based rehabilitation options—showing, in detail, how to avoid therapeutic dead ends, while saving money, time, and considerable anguish. With Crooked, she reveals what it takes to outwit the back pain industry and get on the road to recovery. An Investigative Journalist Who Endured Persistent Back Pain For Decades ... [examines] All Facets Of The Back Pain Industry, Exploring What Works, What Doesn't, What May Cause Harm, And How To Get On The Road To Recovery--,In Her Effort To Manage Her Chronic Back Pain, Investigative Reporter Cathryn Jakobson Ramin Spent Years And A Small Fortune On A Panoply Of Treatments. But Her Discomfort Only Intensified, Leaving Her Feeling Frustrated And Perplexed. In The Process Of Searching For Better Solutions, She Exposed A Much Bigger Problem. Costing Roughly $100 Billion A Year, Spine Medicine--often Ineffective And Sometimes Harrnful--exemplified The Worst Aspects Of The U.s. Health Care System. The Result Of Six Years Of Intensive Reporting, Crooked Offers A Startling Look At Back Pain Medicine, And Provides Practical Advice And Solutions. Jakobson Ramin Interviewed Scores Of Spine Surgeons, Pain Management Doctors, Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation Physicians, Exercise Physiologists, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, And Specialized Bodywork Practitioners. She Met With Many Patients Whose Pain And Desperation Led Them To Make Life-altering Decisions, And With Others Who Triumphed Over Their Limitations. Stunningly Brilliant And Utterly Comprehensive, Crooked Is Not Only Important But Also Essential To Millions Of Back Pain Sufferers And All Types Of Health Care Professionals. Jakobson Ramin Shatters Assumptions About Surgery, Chiropractic Methods, Physical Therapy, Spinal Injections, And Painkillers, And Addresses Evidence-based Rehabilitation Options--showing, In Detail, How To Avoid Therapeutic Dead Ends, While Saving Money, Time, And Considerable Anguish.-- "In her effort to manage her chronic back pain, investigative reporter Cathryn Jakobson Ramin spent years and a small fortune on a panoply of treatments. But her discomfort only intensified, leaving her feeling frustrated and perplexed. In the process of searching for better solutions, she exposed a much bigger problem. Costing roughly $100 billion a year, spine medicine--often ineffective and sometimes harrnful--exemplified the worst aspects of the U.S. health care system. The result of six years of intensive reporting, Crooked offers a startling look at back pain medicine, and provides practical advice and solutions. Jakobson Ramin interviewed scores of spine surgeons, pain management doctors, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and specialized bodywork practitioners. She met with many patients whose pain and desperation led them to make life-altering decisions, and with others who triumphed over their limitations. Stunningly brilliant and utterly comprehensive, Crooked is not only important but also essential to millions of back pain sufferers and all types of health care professionals. Jakobson Ramin shatters assumptions about surgery, chiropractic methods, physical therapy, spinal injections, and painkillers, and addresses evidence-based rehabilitation options--showing, in detail, how to avoid therapeutic dead ends, while saving money, time, and considerable anguish."--Jacket Introduction: A terrible affliction : when I went looking for a solution, I found a much bigger problem PART I: PROBLEMS. Back pain nation : how we got into this mess ; A tale of two tables : why back patients "fail" chiropractic treatment and physical therapy ; Hazardous images : why you do not need or want to have an MRI ; Needle jockeys : how epidural steroid injections can go wrong ; The gold standard : why lumbar spinal fusion is never your only remaining option ; Google your spine surgery : the truth about "cutting-edge" procedures, as advertised online and on TV ; Replacement parts : why a bionic lumbar spine is not in the cards ; The opioid wars : how chronic opioid therapy keeps you in pain PART II: SOLUTIONS. Head case : what your brain has to do with your back ; The back whisperers : how to find a rehabilitation partner ; The right kind of hurt : how a much-maligned machine may still change everything ; The posture mavens : how to make gravity your friend Conclusion: Six years later. From a veteran investigative journalist and longtime back-pain sufferer, Cathryn Jakobson Ramin, comes a stunning take-down of the $100 billion back-pain industry that seeks to understand what works, what doesn't, and why