1 comments about The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Gymnastics (Weight Training for Sports Series) (Ultimate Guide to Weight Training...) (Ultimate Guide to Weight ... (Ultimate Guide to Weight Training...).

1. It's the best way to training gymnastics and gaing muscle and condition.

5 comments about Kim: Empty Inside: The Diary of an Anonymous Teenager.

1. 
   In the book, the main character, Kim can't always take what is thrown
   at her. She feels pressure to get a boyfriend and get into the right
   college and compete in gymnastics. To help her feel better and in
   control of her life, she eats and then feeling bad about it purges. Kim
   sometimes feels that she is not as skinny as she needs to be for
   competing in gymnastics. Her eating disorder gets out of control when
   she leaves for college. When she gets to UCLA she feels very lost and
   thinks the only thing she can control is her eating. During the book
   Kim goes up and down with her eating. When she becomes sad, she eats
   like she has been starved and then throws up. When she is happy the
   throwing up pauses but not for long. When she can't handle something
   food is her friend. In the book she struggles with fasting and
   purging.,       The book is a little bit of a slow read but in the end you
   will be happy about what she does to help herself. Sometimes you will
   not be able to put down the book and others times you will think why do
   I need to know this? It is the perfect book to take on a trip with you.
   The book may  help you never want to become anorexic. The way the story
   is told will make you want to help Kim more than anything in the world.
   Kim makes it seem like everything bad is happening to her and she can't
   take it. In the end you feel hope for Kim and you will be glad you read
   it.



2. Brought to you from the author of Go Ask Alice... yeah, right.
   
   This is probably not the first great hoax in publishing history, but I'm sure it's one of the most successful.
   
   In spite of the fact that the actual source of this book has long been revealed and known, the publishing company continues to brazenly assert that this is a genuine document. It's as ridiculous as the continuing insistence that The Amityville Horror is a true story, too.
   
   It should take any literate adult no more than one and one half pages to determine that this is neither the language nor the syntax of an adolescent/young adult.
   
   It is a known fact that this shameless propoganda was the work of Beatrice Sparks, a Mormom activist who created an entire series of these books, in which children are destroyed by the evils of homosexuality, premarital sex, drug abuse, satanism, etc.
   
   Without diminishing what positive impact this book, or any of the others, may have had on impressionable youth, and without condemning its good intentions (is anyone in favor of having AIDS?), these books are complete rubbish.
   
   Like Mr. Frey, the intentions are not the point.
   
   The point is that these books are being published as nonfiction.
   
   And they are lies.



3. This book only got 2 stars because of the fact I actually finished it, I don't usually finish books.
   This book is so annoying. No one with a real eating disorder is that happy about EVERYTHING, she happy about her parents, and some guy, and school, gymnastics and life...if you're so happy then why would you need an ED? Plus there is no way to get to 75lbs by just bulimia, maybe there is, but not the way she was going at it. There was no account of excessive excercise either. And getting so hungry she ate dog food???? Give me a break!
   It was an OK book until it got to her "recovery" she was just too happy about that too. Read Diary of an Anorexic girl, I mean most people will fight recovery. This book is just so pathetic, she sounds like a 12 year old girl not a college freshman. I in no way could relate to this girl and usually I can. Thank god the book was short other wise I would have completely wasted my time.



4. Beatrice Sparks is the author/editor of a serious of "anonymous" teen diaries. They are meant as "warnings" to children. In fact, they are not based on real diaries and the only one that actually was, she used about 10% of the journal entries and added a Satanic theme which horrified the family.
   
   Now I am aware that children should be taught such things as drugs are bad, teenage pregnancy is not preferable, don't kill yourself etc. However, I take offense when presented in this manner. Children learn best from the truth not extreme propaganda. I also take offense that many libraries (especially school libraries) list this book as non-fiction, when in fact it is a work of fiction.



5. A chapter into it I knew that it was another "this is what happens" book by an unqualified writer. She has no expertise in the field and certainly has no personal experience because if she had she would never have written this shallow and inaccurate book.

No comments about Gemma the Gymnastic Fairy (Sporty Fairies).

3 comments about Build A Better Athlete: 16 Gymnastic Exercises for Your Horse.

1. What a great surprise. Here is an inexpensive manual with clear definitions, excellent photographs and diagrams as well as sections on what not to do, what can go wrong and how to fix it. The exercises build from basic to more advanced. I found her half-halt method to be simple and subtle but worked to stabilize even my NASCAR-minded mare. She suggests multiple methods to determine the correct timing to apply the aides. This book was recommended by a friend and I believe it is the most user-friendly, helpful book in my library. I'll pass the recommendation along to you wholeheartedly.



2. I have a ton of books and unfortunately, this isn't what I expected. Though the exercises are well illustrated and clearly defined, I was looking for a really good "fitness" book for my well trained animals! I wanted something different, unique. All of theses exercises can be found in any well written dressage book.



3. Webb's book is a necessary read for any individual seriously involved in horsemanship. Her gymnastic exercises are both concise and effective.
   Her insight and discipline are contagious and makes you want to ride better and both help and support the horse. While I own plenty of Dressage Books, this is THE book to go to in order to really make it happen. Kudos to both Webb and Practical Horseman Magazine for putting this series together.

5 comments about Gymnastics (Sport Psychology Library).

1. This book is an absolute must for any parent or gymnast who wishes to gain insite on the other side of the sport the mental gymnastics required as this sport evolves. There are many quick and easy quizes and practical tests that the gymnasts can use every day in thier paractices and at competitions.



2. A terrific book for any gymnast that has fears, anxiety, or any thing like that. Peter Vidmar and Karen Cogan have done a beautiful job writing this book. I have visited Karen Cogan 4 times for my own fears in Gymnastics and she recommended this book. It was great! It really helped me in my gymnastics, and now, I finally have a series on beam! I highly recommend this book to all gymnasts and coaches!



3. Whether you're a competitive gymnast on the club level or a collegiate gymnast, or even just a beginner, you will benifit from this marvelous book. It was written by two former gymnasts, Peter Vidmar and Karen Cogan, who also happens to be a sport psychologist. It will help you improve on your performance by learning how to play the mental game of gymnastics and gives you many strategies to practice and to use to make yourself an even better gymnast that you were before.

   This book gives you an instruction of the mental side of gymnastics, and then goes on to give tips about relaxation and energization strategies, positive thinking, mental imagery, developing focus and concentration, and goal setting to get where you want to be. The book then goes on to give individual chapters to each apparatus, highlighting the type of skills needed, mental skills that will help you on that apparatus, and other useful tips. But that's not all- you'll also get information on overcoming mental blocks and fear, dealing with fans, pressure, and fame, keeping the fun in gymnastics, body image and eating disorders, parents and coaches, and much more. This book is a much-needed look at how you can use mental skills to become the best gymnast that you can possibly be.




4. This book is short and easy to locate the needed information. However, I was using the material for a younger child (under 12) and some of the suggested activities were too difficult to implement for a younger child. Because of the organization of the book it made it easy to locate exactly what information was needed. Many simple steps and explanations on various methods in overcoming mental blocks. These methods could be used not only for sports issues, but for issues individuals deal with on a daily basis. Apropriate for older children or adults and well worth the inexpensive cost.



5. It was very helpful to me because it gave me tips on how to improve with mental skills. It gives tips on how to prepare yourself before a competition and be mentally strong.
   Very good book -- I would recommend it to other gymnast.

5 comments about Cheer!: Three Teams on a Quest for College Cheerleading's Ultimate Prize.

1. This book is exciting and VERY WELL WRITTEN. It is clear that Kate Torgovnick has inherited exceptional writing ability from her mother, the marvelous Marianna Torgovnick. Kate has added her keen insight and warm sensitivity and the result is truly a 5 star reading experience!



2. I'd give this book 10 stars if I could! This is just an outstanding book! It tells the story of three cheerleading teams and what they have to go through. It made me really feel like I knew these people. It's a real page turner. I found myself cheering for them!! Superb job, Kate!!!
   
   --Gerard Zemek, husband of author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"



3. I have been in the cheerleading world for 11+ years, competing at high school, collegic and All Star level. Reading this book was a great experience for me as I no longer get to cheer in the college environment, but do miss it. Reading this book was a walk down memory lane for me.
   
   In some places throughout the book, I had trouble following the descriptions of the of the routines. I would have done better with the use of the technical terms of each move, rather than the verbose descriptions, as I didn't really have the patients to read the full descriptions. I'm not sure how they will translate to someone who is not familiar with the sport.
   
   What is really exciting about this book is the accuracy. Many modern portrayals of cheerleading treat it as a joke. This book explains the sport, why it's difficult, how dangerous the sport really is and isn't. It is really refreshing in that aspect.
   
   There is a word of caution: THIS BOOK COVERS MATURE CONTENT. There are references to the very ugly sides of college cheerleading like: drug use, and eating disorders. As a coach, I wish this book had taken a stronger stance against these practices. There are MANY college cheerleaders who do not take drugs, and who do not have eating restrictions. This is a very sensitive subject, and I would hate for young cheerleaders to aspire to this type of behavior because of heroes found in this book.
   
   All in all, this was a good book, and I would recommend it.



4. I really enjoyed this book and could hardly put it down. The reason I gave it three stars was that I found the written descriptions of the stunts, etc. REALLY hard to picture in my mind's eye, and it was frustrating. Obviously, I am NOT an ex-cheerleader!
   
   So that's what drags my score down. Now, that "faux movie trailer" here on Amazon REALLY helped me envision the moves. It was cool to see the three teams "come to life." It is AMAZING what these true athletes can do.



5. In the Authors Note to CHEER!, Kate Torgovnick writes that "I wanted to fell the story of competitive cheerleading." MS. Torgovnick thus informs the reader that hers is to be a non-fiction journalistic endeaver. Kate reinforces this understanding between writer and reader by thanking her high school teacher for making Kate the journalist that she is today.
   "Journalism" is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as "[t]he style of writing characteristic of material in newspapers and magazines, consisting of direct presentation of facts or occurrences with little attempt at analysis or interpretation." Think: Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Joe "Nothing-But-The-Facts" Friday; "fly-on-the-wall" reporting.
   When Ms. Torgovnick decides to be a journalist, her writing is nothing short of phenomenal. She has an uncanny ability to create images, most notably of people, by the use of unique vocabulary. Her blondes are not the trite and overused "platinum", her large men not "Hercules". The descriptions were all fresh. Kate also has a remarkable talent for conveying emotions simply and efficiently. For instance, when Southern University Coach James is pounding that floor a this teams' final performance, I'm right there with him, ecstatic for both him and his team. (To be honest, I found myself crying?!?) Ms. Torgovnick has a deft ear for conversations. I believe them to be accurate in their retelling. Finally, MS. Torgovnick is a very good interviewer. She asks short, simple, and intelligent questions that compel mor than a "yes" or "no", and then gets out of the way and lets the answers flow.
   And for 95% of the book, Kate decides to be a journalist. The book only veers from perfection when Kate occasionally abandons journalist and either (1) becomes an opinionist, or, even worse, (2) becomes part of the story.
   As an example of the first cited offense, I offer up the writing on page 64. On her first trip to Stephen F. Austin University, Kate met Coach Brad. On her second trip she learned that Coach Brad had quit to take another job out of state. When discussing the resignation of SFA Coach Brad, team member Kali Seitzer says that she is not good with change. Kate responded "Neither am I. What had seemed like a sure-win year just a few months ago now seems like a gamble." These sentences cause real problems for Kate. First, as a reader I've got to ask: Who cares what Kate thinks? Nobody ever cares what the fly thinks. Just report the facts, i.e. what the team members think! Second, as a reader I've got to be annoyed with Kate: It is awfully presumptuous of her to think that in a few short weeks of watching only three squads she feels capable of assessing a team's chances in nationals when she obviously has no real experience in the field and she has not seen the many other squads. Third, as a reader I've got to ask: On what basis are you making this proclamation? You are a journalist - present me the facts to support your conclusion. But of course, she didn't provide any factual support for her claim.
   A fantastic journalistic opportunity on the issue of safety training is lost when Ms Torgovnick merely notes her distaste with the training (page 66), rather than delve into the issue and develop the problem and the proposed cure.
   Kate asks what I consider to be a brilliant question regarding steroid, to wit - "I wonder if performance enhancer use could be a side effect of so many coaches right out of college rather than the absolute "adults" who coach other sports?", but then fails to put back on her journalistic cap and do some research and develop the argument. Especially in this testosterone-drenched era, when every participants in cycling to beach volleyball is suspect, Ms. Torgovnicj had, but dropped, the opportunity to blow this subject wide open in the world of cheerleading.
   My advice is to either keep your opinions to yourself or make them, but then follow them up with journalistic investigation and reporting.
   The other glaring error was in Kate's becoming a character in her story rather than an outside observer. She admits as much on page 85 when, reporting about Southern U's teak prayer for victory the following day, kate writes "...I am no longer just observing. I am a part of the circle holding hands with the team, my head bowed too....All I want in this moment is for them to win tomorrow."
   In my humble opinion, Kate, as merely a chronicler of events, should have "no dog in this race."
   There was one point in the book that absolutely enraged me; that caused me to want to hurl the book into the roaring fireplace. At pages 140-141, when writing about the feeling of a Southern U. cheerleader from New Orleans whose family was impacted by Hurricane Katrina, Kate wrote "...While the situation in New Orleans got worse, the government seemingly turning its back on rescue efforts because the grand majority of the people remaining in the city were black." This Liberal canard is demonstrably untrue, and the publication of it unfortunately establishes Ms. Torgovnick's ignorance and liberal bias.
   I have a small quibble regarding the physical stunts. Although each stunt was adequately described in words, both in the text and in a Dictionary at the back of the book, I still wanted either a picture (or series of pictures" of each stunt, or at the minimum a drawing or graphic.
   Finally, I found one spelling error and one grammatical error. This is surprising to see considering the publisher is the well respected Simon and Shuster. An editor is supposed to cover your back, not stab it.
   While I seem to have spent the vast majority of this review picking apart this book, it is not really the case. I consider this book to be a major tour de force and the author to be an up and coming star in the field of Modern American Journalism.
   So only two questions remain -
   (1) What is next for Ms. Torgovnick? I can't believe that Kate wants at the end of her career to be known as the Queen of the cheerleading literature genre. Hopefully she has aspirations that far exceed in seriousness the world of cheerleading. The world of politics beckons Kate to next turn her guns.
   (2) Can Ms. Torgovnick grow? Can she attain wisdom in correlation to her biological clock? One does not ordinarily expect such from an "Ivy League" alumna from New York City, but Kate is no ordinary liberal. Kate's May 2006 JANE article, "Welcome to Screw U." demonstrates that she DOES get it, that she is capable of mature (i.e. conservative) thought.
   I'm a big fan and I'm look forward to future books!
   ***Full disclosure: I am Ms Torgovnick's oldest first cousin. Her father and my mother are brother and sister.***
   BTW - LCLM - "Land clean, land mean"

3 comments about Good Luck, Ivy (American Girls Collection).

1. This is the 'extra' book in the 'Julie' series from American Girl. Julie is the newest American Girl character, and Ivy Ling is her best friend. I am an adult who works at AG, but that doesn't influence my opinions on the books. It just makes it easy for me to read them.
   I really liked this book. Ivy was born in America, and so were her parents, but her grandparents are a big part of her life, too, and they were born in China. They own and operate a very popular Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Ivy loves her family and she feels badly when she blurts out that she's sick of Chinese food. She's afraid she hurt their feelings. Ivy feels totally American and wonders why they can't just eat American food, like cheeseburgers.
   Ivy's parents send her and her brother Andrew to Chinese school every Saturday to learn to read and write Chinese. Ivy would much rather spend her Saturdays practicing gymnastics. Ever since seeing Olga Korbut during the Olympics, Ivy dreams of being a gymnast. She competes on a team, but a mishap on the balance beam at a previous meet has shaken her confidence. Ivy is excited about her upcoming city meet, but when she learns it's the same day as her family's big reunion, she has a tough decision to make.
   At the end of each American Girl character book there is an educational section telling about real events. This one has nice information about the restrictions that were placed on Asians that came to America in the early 1900's and contributions Asians have made in America, like helping to build the transcontinental railroad.
   This is a great book for children 7 and up. I also recommend the 'Julie' series.



2. This is surely one of the "winners". History, a great story and not only that, but really gets inside a Asian family's life in San Fran in the 1970sCannot be beat!



3. Between regular grammar school Monday through Friday, Chinese school on Saturdays, homework, and gymnastics practice, Ivy's plenty busy. She's looking forward to an upcoming gymnastics meet, but she's worried about her routine on the balance beam, having fallen off of the apparatus in an earlier competition. When she learns a family reunion is scheduled for the same time as the meet, Ivy has to decide which event to attend . . . or figure out a way to go to both!
   
   The book takes place in 1976, so Ivy references the 1972 Olympics and Olga Korbout's balance beam routine, which won her the gold medal. Even though the book takes place over twenty years ago, the theme of appreciating your family's culture is timeless. Readers will hopefully be moved to consider the struggles and traditions of their own families.
   
   Good Luck, Ivy is a spinoff of the American Girls books about Julie Albright, in which Ivy Ling is introduced as Julie's best friend. Ivy is definitely a great American Girl who is trying to keep up her family's customs while making her own path. I wish there were more books in the Ivy series!
   
   The vignettes at the end of the book, written by Nika Korniyenko and Susan McAliley, detail real-life events in the lives of Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans. This section also includes photographs of author Lisa Yee and her relatives. How cool is that?

5 comments about Classical Schooling with the Horse in Mind: Gentle Gymnastic Training Techniques.

1. First read Dr. Heuschmann's "Tug of War" and then Ms. Beran's "Classical Schooling". Then think. Then get on your horse. Please: in that order.



2. A "how-to" book on classical training of the horse and rider.
   This is the most amazing book on classical training/riding and the result of the author's 19 years of experience. Ms Beran first trained with the French Ecuyer Marc de Broissia for 16 years and was a friend of Manuel de Oliveira for over 19 years. This book motivates you to look for the mistakes within yourself - to be hard with yourself and gentle with your horse. This book is intended to open your eyes and help you to find the truth and your ability of being able to feel perfect harmony between rider and horse in all movements. Classical equestrianism is also summed up as "the ability to train horses in such a way that they follow the rider's will with contentment and self-confidence" also "the ability to train the horse according to its individual physical and mental potential". The illustrations are superb and an absolute must-have book for those interested in classical riding and training. The anatomy section helps the reader/trainer understand the how and why of what happens during the horse's movements. Absolutely stunning.Classical Schooling with the Horse in Mind: Gentle Gymnastic Training Techniques



3. Love this book! This book clearly shows how how Dressage SHOULD be ridden. This book along with Anja's video "Elegant Dressage Training" show how a correctly trained horse should look. I have become a great fan of Anja and keep her beautiful images of the horse and rider in mind when training my own. She is a great inspiration to me!



4. I was so disappointed in this book that I returned it, which I have never done before. The philosophy of humane treatment of the dressage horse is great, and the anatomical analysis is good, but I really wanted training techniques and there was little of that in my opinion in this book. I bought Dr. Gerd Heuschmann's "Tug Of War: Classical Versus 'Modern' Dressage" and that is great -- has the philosophy and the anatomy that I need to take good care of and strengthen and improve my horse in training, and it was less expensive. I still need to find a good training manual.



5. Anja Beran has created a beautiful and comprehensive Classical Schooling Book. Refreshing, professional and with the horses wellbeing in mind. The book reflects her quiet, systematic, consistent and truly classical approach to riding. Her Piaffe shows her refined Portuguese background just as well in the beautiful photos as in real life. A true joy and a must for any rider!

5 comments about Chalked Up: Inside Elite Gymnastics' Merciless Coaching, Overzealous Parents, Eating Disorders, and Elusive Olympic Dreams.

1. This is a book written by an actual elite gymnast in the 80s. It's about exactly what it says on the front cover. This book tells you first hand about her life growing up as a gymnast, from the very begining when she was just a small child starting with some fun classes all the way to when she was an elite gymnast. It tells you the life that you don't get to see just watching the tv screen, the good parts, and then some of the bad parts that go with being an elite gymnast. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was well written and it really gets you into the mind set of what she must of been going through and feeling all through her competative life as a gymnast. I couldn't put it down. I definantly recomend this book for anyone that loves gymnastics !!



2. With glittering spare prose and clear-eyed insight, Jennifer Sey recounts the harrowing tale of her pursuit of gymnastics glory in the eighties. She is not afraid to delve into the dark places with this gritty, uncompromising look at winning at all costs. Remarkably, Sey doesn't indict the sport or blame anyone for her experience, other than herself and her own drive for success. It is a heartbreaking story but ultimately one of true strength and grace. A brave, honest, unflinching personal book. A must read for parents, fans, athletes, and anyone who likes a well-written, riveting story. Read it.



3. A riveting and heartbreaking must read for all mothers raising daughters in today's fast paced, hyper-cometitive, overscheduled world.



4. I was a gymnast of the 1980s at SCATS in Huntington Beach, CA (then west coast rivals of Parkettes), under the direction of Don Peters. As Class I gymnasts (today's Level 10s) our workouts were combined with the confirmed Elite level athletes, many who were national team members with Jennifer. I was eager to read her book because she was someone I hadn't met but had heard about through the slumber party stories and post-meet adventure chatter at the gym.
   
   It wasn't the tell-all I was expecting, it felt very much like my own story minus the part where I win the 1986 National Championships. I was embarrassed to read her account of Peters giving the "fat speech" before the World Championships-- I thought those speeches were reserved for the members of our private gym where we had daily weight checks. We protected our bulemic and anorexic girls, covered weight gains with really good stories. I even took the fall for one high ranking gymnast's binge and purge weekend when food went missing, rather than out her. I was shocked to read about the chair being thrown at a gymnast-- I thought only our coaches threw tantrums and objects. It felt "good" to hear that I wasn't the only one who had foul language directed at me in the gym. I have a strange sense of peace knowing that we weren't alone. I hear thanks to my injuries I was one of the most expensive gymnasts at SCATS in my time. And it's thanks to those injuries I burned out before I could earn even a bottom of the barrel college scholarship. Where's my: I did my best in gymnastics for 10 years and all I got was a rib removed, a broken foot, a reconstructed ankle, and a broken wrist!" t-shirt?
   
   To the people taking issue with Jennifer's account I say if your experience was different, it was just that: different. Sometimes we feel it necessary to call the dissenter a liar to protect ourselves or correct it with our own version of what we believed happened. 1980s gymnastics was crazy and it's thanks to the gymnasts of that era it is much improved.
   
   To my friend Jen, thank you.



5. First I want to comment on the review by J.Nichols, posted May 5. Just because J.Nichols doesn't sympathize with Jennifer Sey's account of training at Parkette's doesn't mean J.Nichols' has the facts, yet her attack on Jennifer Sey seems to suggest that. I have seen videos of the training at "Parkettes" and I'm inclined to agree with Jennifer Sey's account. I loved "Chalked Up." I think everybody who is open and has a heart can enjoy and learn something from this book. It is beautifully written, genuine, and extremely entertaining. I think Jennifer Sey is an enormously talented, creative, courageous person with a big heart. I admire her honesty and courage in facing the truth about her past. I think this book has so much to offer.

5 comments about Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff.

1. Having suffered with three broken shoulders with arthritus in them, I highly recommend this book for people with shoulder problems. The book gives you an understanding of the shoulder area and some really good exercises to help you stretch and strengthen your shoulder muscles. The exercises are easy to do and don't require a lot of expensive equipment to perform them. As my chirpractor and I agree, if you don't use it, you loose it.
   
   Another book to consider purchasing along with this one is "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook" by Clair and Amber Davies, which is a tremendous resource for people in pain. Stretchening and strengthening your muscles, without first dealing with the knots (trigger points) in them can cause more pain. After having tried many natural remedies for my shoulder pain, I've found this trigger point program coupled with the shoulder exercises works best for dealing with pain. Glucosamine while it helped, did not totally alleviate the pain. Magnet therapy helped for awhile, but eventually made the pain worse. Chiropractic treatments, which used trigger point therapy worked for a time, but then my knots would return and cause pain. I didn't know the importance of at least six times a day massaging your central trigger points until the knots are gone.
   
   "The Trigger Point Therapy Wookbook" has excellent information on the muscles. It also has excellent charts which help you locate specific trigger point (knots in your muscles) which cause pain. It tells you how to message those painful areas to get rid of the knots in your muscles. While the information is thorough, it is written for the lay person in an understandable way.
   
   I also highly recommend a Thera Cane, which is like having very long, totally mobile arms, which enable you to message hard to reach trigger points. These three excellent products work together for effectice pain relief. While these two books and Thera Cane may seem expensive, they are much cheaper than repeated Chiropractic visits.



2. I found Jim Johnson's book to contain an amazing amount of information in a relatively short read. There are several very good reviews that detail what he covers in this book so I'll stick to points not covered by the other reviews.
   
   First, yes, it is a small book. This is actually a bonus because he covers the pertinant material thoroughly but keeps the book to a size easily read in one sitting. This is important when you are looking for answers and not a lengthy read. I found illustrations and the text were all useful - there is no filler or fluff in this book.
   
   Second - the stretches and exercises are explained in detail so you can be comfortable with the knowledge you are doing it right. So, as you follow one of the 3 programs laid out, you can refer back to the detailed descriptions and illustration as needed. If you are a picture person and not a verbal person, this is priceless to have on hand.
   
   Third - the information on how to distinguish the different types of injuries and how to approach rehabilitation gave me insight to what was going on with my own injury that no professional I had taken this problem to have ever bothered to explain. Again, illustrations were to the point and provided clarity that words can't always deliver.
   
   Last, I have sought medical advice with my shoulder problems off and on for years yet this book gave me more information in a 30 minute read than I had gotten in any consultation. This book is priced around $30 retail and that is far less than a doctor or physio visit.
   
   Note that I am *NOT* saying to skip seeking medical advice, I am saying that this book gives you a ready reference to supplement your knowledge and to keep on hand while treating your injury. If you are like me, the shoulder problems you have will quite possibly reoccur as time goes by and you either quit doing the exercises and revert to bad habits or if you find a new way to injure yourself. So, having this book handy for reference is far more economical the returning to the doctor over and over again.



3. Just the information needed to help you and not more! That's "Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff." Johnson writes clearly for the non-medical-professional, so you'll understand his message easily and get started right away (today).
   
   About six months ago, I fell. A perfect four-point landing, I thought at the time, but it turned out to be more, much more. Within a month I began having trouble pulling a shirt on over my head. Then shoulder and arm pain settled in full time.
   
   I decided to forego conventional medical treatment (for example, shots and surgery), and the pain continued. In fact, it not only continued, but grew so much worse that I considered revising my decision about the shots. However, finding this book and reading the glowing recommendations for it, I decided giving managing the problem on my own one last try.
   
   Of course, getting the book did not solve the problem by itself. I had to use the information to stretch and exercise. So I did, and, sure enough, after a couple of weeks I saw both improved range of motion and less pain.
   
   The stretches and exercises are not necessarily pleasant, but the results make it worth the effort.
   
   If you have rotator cuff pain, get this book. Regardless of whether you decide on conventional solutions to the problem, you'll need the stretches and exercises to regain full range of motion. Stick with the program. It works!
   
   Highly recommended.



4. After two weeks of following the exercises in this book, I made more progress than six weeks of PT. I like this book because not only does the author explain what to do, he also explains WHY.



5. I was very impressed with this book as soon as I thumbed through it. The first section has diagrams and definitions of the shoulder. The anatomy and physiology are explained in grade school terms. (this is very helpful to people that are in so much pain that they can't think straight)
   
   I have just had rotator cuff surgery and have been through physical therapy several times for rotator cuff problems. The exercises are identical to some of the exercises that the physical therapists teach us.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone with rotator cuff problems, however, if your symptoms are not improving you will need to get an MRI to determine if you have tears or bone spurs.