Table of Contents

Part I Scientific Foundation

Chapter 1. Introduction to the Issues and Scientific Approach Unique to This Book

Legislative Landscape: The Unfortunate Adverse Impact on Painful Backs

Deficiencies in Current Diagnostic Practices

Inadequacies in Current Care and Prevention

Mechanical Loading and the Process of Injury: A Low Back Tissue Injury Primer

Excellent Clinicians and Excellent Practice

Unique Scientific Foundation of This Book

In Vitro Lab

In Vivo Lab

A Final Note

Chapter 2. Epidemiological Studies and What They Really Mean

Influence of Randomized Controlled Trials and Other Epidemiological Approaches

Misunderstandings of Epidemiology

Multidimensional Links Among Biomechanical, Psychosocial, and Personal Variables

Are Biomechanical Variables and Psychosocial Variables Distinct?

How Do Biomechanical Factors Affect LBD?

Links Between Personal Factors and LBD

Studies of Exercise Intervention

Practical Application: What the Evidence Supports

What Works Clinically

A Final Note

Chapter 3. Functional Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine

Anatomy Trains

Basic Neural Structure

Vascular Anatomy

Vertebrae

Sacroiliac Joints

Intervertebral Disc

Muscles

Ligaments

Lumbodorsal Fascia (LDF)

Quick Review of the Pelvis, Hips, and Related Musculature

Clinically Relevant Aspects of Pain and Anatomic Structure

A Final Note

Chapter 4. Normal and Injury Mechanics of the Lumbar Spine

Kinematic Properties of the Thoracolumbar Spine

Kinetics and Normal Lumbar Spine Mechanics

Dubious Lifting Mechanisms

Other Important Mechanisms of Normal Spine Mechanics

Injury Mechanisms

Biomechanical and Physiological Changes Following Injury

A Final Note

Chapter 5. Myths and Realities of Lumbar Spine Stability

Why Spine Stability Is Important for Everyone

Stability: A Qualitative Analogy

Quantitative Foundation of Stability

Stability Myths, Facts, and Clinical Implications

A Final Note

Part II Injury Prevention

Chapter 6. LBD Risk Assessment

Brief Review of the Risk Factors for LBD

NIOSH Approach to Risk Assessment

Snook Psychophysical Approach

Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM)

Ergowatch

Biological Signal–Driven Model Approaches

A Final Note

Chapter 7. Reducing the Risk of Low Back Injury

Lessons From the Literature

LBD Prevention for Workers

The Question of Back Belts

LBD Prevention for Employers

Injury Prevention Primer

A Note for Consultants

Reducing the Risk in Athletes

A Final Note

Part III Low Back Rehabilitation

Chapter 8. Building Better Rehabilitation Programs for Low Back Injuries

Pain-Reducing Mechanisms of Exercise

Five-Stage Back Training Program

Finding the Best Approach

Stages of Patient Progression

Guidelines for Developing the Best Exercise Regimen

A Final Note

Chapter 9. Evaluating the Patient

Most Crucial Element in Evaluation

First Clinician–Patient Meeting

Assessing Posture and Movement Quality

Some Provocation Tests

Some Functional Screens

Testing Muscle Endurance

A Final Note

Chapter 10. Developing the Exercise Program

Philosophy of Low Back Exercise Design

Clinical Wisdom

Thoughts on Mobility

Identifying Safe and Effective Exercises

Beginner’s Program for Pain Control and Stabilization

Exercises That May Be Used in a Stabilization Program

Special Conditions

A Final Note

Chapter 11. Advanced Exercises

Safely Increasing Challenges

Occupational and Athletic Work Hardening

A Final Note 

Promotional Information

Featured at various sport medicine events throughout the UK and Europe including BASEM Spring Conference and ISSSMC 2016. Reviews in UK and European websites, magazines and journals including British Journal of Sports Medicine, International Therapist and Frontline. Solus emails, inclusion in online newsletters and posted on Human Kinetics' Health and Fitness Blog.

About the Author

Stuart McGill, PhD, is a professor at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and a world-renowned lecturer and expert in spine function, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. He has written more than 300 scientific publications on lumbar function, mechanisms of low back injury, investigation of rehabilitation programs matched to specific categories of back pain patients, and the formulation of work-related injury avoidance strategies. He has received several awards for his work, including the Volvo Bioengineering Award for Low Back Pain Research from Sweden.

McGill has been an invited lecturer at many universities and delivered more than 300 addresses to societies around the world. As a consultant, he has provided expertise on assessment and reduction of the risk of low back injury to government agencies, corporations, professional athletes and teams, and legal firms. He is one of the few scientists who, in addition to performing research, is regularly requested by the medical profession to consult with challenging patients from around the world.