No Strain, No Pain: Back Fitness Program For Men; No Strain, No Pain: Back Fitness Program For Pregnancy & After Childbirth

Based on the highly acclaimed Mensendieck system for better back care devised in Europe some 100 years ago, these two programs are customized versions of the 1989 video Freedom From Back Pain which targets particular groups. Both programs contain basically the same introduction in which therapist Karen Perlroth explains how a misunderstanding of anatomy and poor posture often lead to lower back pain and/or injury. This is followed by a discussion of regular daily activities such as standing, bending, lifting, sitting, walking, and sleeping, and how to avoid injury or strain to the back during the day. In the exercise section, two men perform the exercises in the program for men, while the expecting Perlroth performs exercises specifically designed to help pregnant women in the back fitness program for pregnancy and after childbirth. Though not as slick as some of the many back care programs on the market, the Mensendieck system tapes are both sound in their approach and respected within the medical community (Stanford University School of Medicine neurologist Bruce Adornato feels its the best program on back pain available). The other two programs in the series are: No Strain, No Pain: Back Fitness Program for Women and No Strain, No Pain: Back Fitness Program for Seniors. Highly recommended. (Available from: New Life Options, 4520 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 547, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; (818) 990-5410.)