Publications
APS Bulletin • Volume 17, Number 2, 2007
Resource Reviews
John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor
Rehabilitation of the Spine: A Practitioner’s Manual (2nd Edition)
Reviewed by Stanley Herring, MD
Craig Liebenson, (Ed.), Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2005, hard cover, 992 pages, ISBN 0-781-72997-1, $99.95.
After serving as a useful resource for a decade, Rehabilitation of the Spine is now in its second edition. In this edition chapters have been rewritten, there are many new authors, and a DVD is included that demonstrates many assessment techniques and exercises accompanies the text. Despite these changes, the text remains committed to the philosophy of managing spinal disorders in a way that emphasizes not only resolution of symptoms but restoration of function, with a focus on self-management. The editor has gone to great lengths to remind the reader that spine problems are often psychobiological and respond to multidimensional rehabilitation programs.
The textbook is organized into seven sections, including an overview that clearly outlines the philosophy of the text. This is followed by sections on basic science, assessment, acute care management, recovery care management, practical application by region, and a final section that discusses the implementation of a function-based paradigm of treatment. Pictorial icons in each chapter are used to quickly show readers whether diagnosis, functional evaluation, pain, reactivation or other topics are being discussed, and end-of-chapter questions help readers evaluate whether they have captured main points. While these visual and study aids suggest that this text targets students or those beginning a practice, the book’s content and references are helpful for every level and specialty of practitioner who manages patients with spinal problems.
The book contains many chapters oriented toward exercise and manual therapy, with some techniques of little scientific basis given equal exposure as those covered by a large body of published literature (i.e., cognitive behavorial therapy). Although this may produce some consternation among readers, it can be instructive to learn about less well-known therapies that patients often choose to pursue. Popular subjects, such as selective spinal injections, are covered and it is refreshing to pick up a textbook on rehabilitation of the spine with so much focus on diagnosis, assessment, exercise, and psychosocial issues.
The second edition of Rehabilitation of the Spine is a practical, readable, and helpful guide for both new and seasoned practitioners who treat patients suffering from spine problems. This text and DVD are valuable resources that are not likely to gather dust on the shelf.
Dr. Herring is Clinical Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Director of the UW Medicine Spine Center, University of Washington in Seattle.