Dear ResearchGate readers: ResearchGate has listed my CV publications which are freely

available in the journals. However this book has been included in the list. Unfortunately I have
to for its production costs and cannot give it away. Please forgive this. I hope the following is
helpful to you. Stuart

Back Mechanic: The Step-by-step McGill Method to fix back pain

In an age where many doctors are uninformed on the proper treatment of back pain, and
where a seemingly endless amount of gimmicky back products are in circulation, a definitive
guide to self-assessment and rehabilitation is more essential than ever. In this book, renowned
spine expert Prof. Stuart McGill reviews his research findings and incomparable patient success
stories to provide you with the program to eliminate your own back pain. Through discovering
and eliminating their personal pain “triggers” and retraining the body to move pain-free, Prof.
McGill has helped thousands reclaim their lives. This knowledge is now available to you. Back
Mechanic is a richly illustrated, self-guide that steps the reader through the process. (Available
from www.backfitpro.com)

Table of Contents
Introduction and overview

The way to a pain-free and robust back

Section 1: “Why me?” Understanding your pain

1. Myth-busting
2. Back to basics: Getting to know your back and causes of pain
3. Is surgery for you?: The essential list
4. The Code: Rules and guidelines for back health

Section 2: Self assessment: Finding the cause of your back pain

5. Use the McGill approach to find your pain trigger
6. Your self-assessment

Section 3: The repair job: Using the right tools to make activity pain-free

7. Removing the cause of pain: Learning basic movement tools

8. Spine hygiene: moving without pain
9. Building a resilient back: The non-negotiable “Big 3” exercises
10. The walking program: Nature’s back balm
11. The core program
12. Restoring the hips

Section 4: Tuning the machine for best performance

13. Next level training: Regaining your active lifestyle

14. Special exercises for sciatica, kyphosis, scoliosis, stenosis, the overweight and others
15. Solutions that solve back pain: Case studies and sample programs
16. Q and A with the Professor: Sex, selecting a mattress, and other things you were afraid
to ask
17. Conclusion

Appendix: Exercise Logs

i. Pain and activity ability

ii. Exercise log