I bought this book to try to relieve some sciatica stress that I am having. It is decent for the beginner by giving an overview of what sciatica is, what causes it, etc. It explains some treatment options such as; surgery, homepathic remedies, excercises, massage, acupuncture, etc. However, the treatment options have very small overviews of what they are and what they could do. I would have rated it a little higher if it gave me a little more detail. Also, as another reviewer stated is that you can find most of what is in here on the internet. You could probably get it cheap, I got it for $4 with shipping. If you could get it for around that, why not? Anything that helps with sciatica is better than nothing!

Sometimes the illustrations in this book are a little silly, but it presents information in a way that is easy for everyone to understand. It gives a good overview of many different kinds of treatment and how they can help the different causes of sciatica. The exercises depicted in the book and excellent.

Book is simplied with everyday language to help us understand what to do if and when our back or hurting or with pain we are not used to having...

There are an abundance of simple illustrations which make the book easy for us (NON-Doctors) to understand...

Book is simplied with everyday language to help us understand what to do if and when our back or hurting or with pain we are not used to having...

There are an abundance of simple illustrations which make the book easy for us (NON-Doctors) to understand...

This book is a total waste of time and money. I am glad I bought a used paperback and am only out $5.00!

This book is a total waste of time and money. I am glad I bought a used paperback and am only out $5.00!

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!!

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!!!!!

THIS BOOK WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND HELPFUL, ESPECIALLY IN MY DISCUSSION'S WITH MY DOCTOR AND THERAPIST.

The Sciatica Relief Handbook is one of the best back books on the market: it not only includes the usual survey of symptoms and how to treat them, but provides a host of facts on the latest alternative and medical treatments, which work and which don't, which symptoms to be especially concerned about, and more. Can traction help? What about physical therapy? What can be done at home? All these questions and more are covered using simple explanations.

With the millions of people out there that suffer from low back pain and sciatica-information is scarce! This book breaks the surface and let's you know how to do things that will help your pain.Not clinical or very in depth BUT it is written to help you solve your pain in terms we all can understand.It makes you feel that you are not alone in your pain and at the same time you wonder why more information and help isn't available for this common malady. I liked the book for what it tries to do-HELP WITH BACK PAIN RELIEF

This book is a pleasure to read--uses understandable terms--which makes it easy and even fun to read and gain useful facts. One of the above reviews is critical of the simple, easy-to-understand way the book communicates with the reader. Some authors try to impress you with their "extensive vocabulary" rather than really try to inform the reader. The book reveals the causes of sciatica, the various natural, alternative and medical remedies available--and how to avoid flare-ups. The book is well worth the money. I personally have found welcome relief from my sciatica pain following just one of the tips covered in this easy-to-read book.