Crooked

By: Cathryn Jakobson Ramin

Narrated by: Cathryn Jakobson Ramin

Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 US 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, 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.

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.

©2017 Cathryn Jakobson Ramin (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

If you're like me, skip this book.

I don't doubt this book is helpful to many.

However, I've been doing boxing, body-building -esque exercises, and powerlifting for years. I heard of Dr. Stuart McGill from Stan Efferding, and in reading reviews of Stu's "The Back Mechanic", I came across this title.

In my opinion, this book should have been cut in thirds. For me, there was way too much repetitive information and narratives about what *didn't* work. I don't need to be told 50 times that halting exercise regresses progress. I want a concise yet complete understanding of how to avoid and repair damage.

If you're interested in the journalistic aspect, get this. Having an audiobook was a great way to whet my appetite on my commutes while my books were being shipped from Amazon. I would recommend listening on at least 1.5x speed. For me, the narration was quite slow and seemed to arbitrarily emphasize certain words or characters' testimonies. It also seemed to greatly detail studies contrary to typical medicine, but only rely on anecdotal evidence for procedures from "back gurus". Anecdotal information is great, but the imbalance seemed very biased.

If you want solutions, skip this and go straight to Dr. Stuart McGill's "The Back Mechanic" and/or "The Gift of Injury".

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

great story and great info

the best part of this book is the decision making Tools in her woven. This means the book answers questions like how can you tell that your yoga teacher or physical therapist or even physician is qualified to give you advice.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Helpful

I am grateful for this book. I am in pain. But now I feel I have resources and an approach to move forward and toward recovery.

Thank you for all your research.

Deborah

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This book can save you from ruining your back

I thought I had back problems and was considering surgery, then I read Ramin's book and realized all I needed to do work through the back pain with the right exercises. Once I followed this regime for a month, I've not had any problems since. And I am a very avid 68-year old golfer.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Overall message is excellent, but not for everyone

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The overall messages that 1. doctors have no quick fixes, 2. back surgery is dicey and recommendations are influenced by $, and 3. getting better can be a part time job for the patient are all valid and important. But I think the author fails to recognize that not every patient is exactly like herself.

Any additional comments?

Early on in the book she says she thought fixing her back would be like fixing a broken wrist--easy! The wrist has a gazillion little bones in it. Not easy to fix. That's when I knew I had to listen with critical ears. She also says Loyola Hospital is located in Mayfield instead of Maywood, IL--which is weird since she says up front that she had 3 fact checkers look through her text before publishing. Not a difficult fact to check.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Journalistic approach to back pain

Loved all the information about the back pain Industry. So many stories and examples of treatment. I'm definitely more motivated to take care of my back now. Thank you!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

SNOOZEFEST!!

First of all, the narrator's voice was so monotone it put me to sleep. Secondly, I only got up to when the author started bashing the Chiropractic industry. I had scoliosis as a child and an amazing Chiropractor straightened my spine. I saw a little boy come in that could barely walk and after a few visit's, he walked out on his own with just a small assist from his mom. Finally, I would definitely not recommend this book to a friend!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Should be titled Outwitting the Back Pain Industry if you have unlimited resources

As a physical therapist who has been practicing for over 30 seeing chronic pain patients I was left disappointed after listening to this book. I agree that surgical interventions are widely over utilized in the treatment of back pain and Cathryn does a good job of discussing relevant research in this area. However I feel she does a poor job discussing the scientific research relating to physical treatment of back pain such as exercise and forms of manual therapy. I feel the evidence in this area points out that simply moving your body in many ways is helpful whether it be yoga, swimming, or a gym based workouts. The author seems to feel we all need to be hooked up with some type of "back whisper" for "proper" exercise.

I also feel the author's back pain has central sensitization written all over it yet she fails to see the connection. She did mention Dr. John Sarno several times in the book but appears to have gained little insight from her discussions with him. Perfectionistic personality, high achiever, and running across the country to take care of her elderly parents sounds like the perfect mix for developing chronic back pain due to central sensitization or as Dr. Sarno calls it TMS.

Take my advice and listen to Healing Back Pain by Dr. John Sarno instead of this book you will likely find the cure you have been searching for.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A must read for pain suffer

I wish i had this book 4 years ago. i bought onto all the hype the drs gave me and all the lies. I am alone and frightened for my future.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

very helpful overview, but negative tone

very helpful information for anyone with back pain. explores various modalities which people rarely know about. informational, reflecting author's investigative background. However, the tone in the first 6 chapters is mostly presented in a negative and pessimistic tone, which makes it a bit hard to listen to. The book does become a bit more positive and focused on solutions later on, so hang in there if you feel like you won't get through.

Good overall review

This is a good review of the ins and outs of the back pain industry but it is a shame that there is a clear writer bias.