Safe Movement for All Spines is a well-researched book that describes about a dozen different spinal conditions and provides examples and methods for working with them, including real-life case studies. It does read quite dry, like a textbook, and I think the quality and quantity of supporting graphics (photos and illustrations of concepts) could be improved. That aside, I think this will be an invaluable resource for movement instructors of all disciplines.

Thank you to North Atlantic Books via NetGalley for gifting me with an ARC to review!

I requested Safe Movement for All Spines as I have scoliosis, kyphosis and lumbar and cervical lordosis as part and parcel of my Cerebral Palsy and Hydrocephalus. As a wheelchair user and someone who is dependent on people for all aspects of daily life, I am always searching for resources that may help me.

It's not for brginners, but pilates/yoga instructors. It's interesting though.

I am also interested in learning about medical conditions, and already knew something about hypermobility syndrome as well as osteoporosis. I am really into disability awareness and was glad to learn more about these and other conditions.

I used the book to get ideas of different postures and movements to then figure out a way they could be adapted to me if that were possible. I require complete support and to be moved by someone to be able to exercise because of the severity of my disabilities.

It was great to find a book that talks about conditions as well as offering exercises. Safe Movement for All Spines goes a long way towards helping to make exercise inclusive and raise awareness for different conditions.

Thanks to Gwen Miller and North Atlantic Books US for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

I really enjoyed Gwen Miller’s book on save movement for all spines. I appreciated the emphasis she placed on seeking appropriate medical care, no matter which specific spine issue she was discussing. Miller goes into detail on many common spine injuries and shows very helpful diagrams on what the spine looks like; as someone without a medical background, I found these very informative.

Miller highlights each issue with yoga and movement poses that at helpful for the specific condition. These are great to reference if you have a regular client coming to your classes with these concerns. However, I found it helpful to see the overlaps in the poses that were helpful for all the conditions - these would be great to integrate into all classes, to help all students. The step by step instructions were very helpful and I appreciated the diversity in the photos’ models.

The highlight of this book for me is the chapter on the language of healing. Miller puts it perfectly when she says “ A therapist or practitioner helping a client or patient in pain creates a safe place for healing to occur by treating that person with respect, consideration, kindness, and meeting them where they are” and “ What a gift we can give by simply listening to someone.” I think we need an entire book from her on this topic, please!

This book is unique and while it is written for personal trainers, yoga and Pilates teachers, it is accessible enough that even individuals can understand and incorporate the appropriate movements into their daily routine. This book is structured to include 9 different conditions - and defines what it is and what it feels like and looks like. There are great anatomical drawings to describe the conditions and areas of the body impacted. There are also photographs of sample exercises and activities for daily living. What I especially like about this book is that it is not a "one size fits all" exercise plan for stretching and spine movement. In fact, it very clearly lays out "do's" and "don't's" in terms of movement based on condition. I really appreciated having a more detailed and tailored approach rather than the generic exercises found in other books and on you-tube. I recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and North Atlantic Books for an ARC. I wrote this review voluntarily.

Really useful if you have a back or hip condition

This is a very detailed book aimed at two groups of readers. Firstly, people with spinal and hip conditions who want to understand more about their condition and find exercises they can do to help themselves. Secondly, the professionals who try to help people with spinal conditions, including movement, yoga and Pilates teachers and personal trainers.

Gwen presents the information by grouping together related spinal and hip conditions to give nine chapters brimming with information about the conditions, the exercises that help in each case and how they relate to daily living. Each chapter includes advice for professionals to help them assess clients and modify the exercises and modes of therapy to aid recovery in each case.

In the final chapter Gwen focusses on the softer skills therapists need to have in order to help their clients. This covers aspects such as listening, empathy and communication and interestingly suggests that these are skills we can adopt and practise towards ourselves to aid the healing process.

There are other books that do a better job of explaining how the spine works but this is the best I’ve seen on what movements are safe, how to modify movements and regaining strength, posture, body alignment to heal and protect spines and hips. If you have a spinal or hip condition this book is well worth a read and the exercises could help to reduce pain and restore health and function for a lot of people.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

Really useful if you have a back or hip condition

Rating - 5 stars

Review - This is a very detailed book aimed at two groups of readers. Firstly, people with spinal and hip conditions who want to understand more about their condition and find exercises they can do to help themselves. Secondly, the professionals who try to help people with spinal conditions, including movement, yoga and Pilates teachers and personal trainers.

Gwen presents the information by grouping together related spinal and hip conditions to give nine chapters brimming with information about the conditions, the exercises that help in each case and how they relate to daily living. Each chapter includes advice for professionals to help them assess clients and modify the exercises and modes of therapy to aid recovery in each case.

In the final chapter Gwen focusses on the softer skills therapists need to have in order to help their clients. This covers aspects such as listening, empathy and communication and interestingly suggests that these are skills we can adopt and practise towards ourselves to aid the healing process.

There are other books that do a better job of explaining how the spine works but this is the best I’ve seen on what movements are safe, how to modify movements and regaining strength, posture, body alignment to heal and protect spines and hips. If you have a spinal or hip condition this book is well worth a read and the exercises could help to reduce pain and restore health and function for a lot of people.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

A great reference book to live on shelf of every “movement professional” (physical therapist, yoga teacher, Pilates instructor, gym teacher, etc.). If you live with a structural injury or bone/spinal/connective tissues condition, you would greatly benefit from this as well. You need to have some familiarity with anatomy, but it’s not overly technical.

Thank you, NetGalley!

This is a deep dive for professionals and practitioners. That said, it is also an excellent resource for laypersons and patients who want to understand the hows and whys of their treatment, or be aware of the consequences and benefits of their own exercise regimens. A nice find.

Safe Movement for All Spines; A Guide to Spinal Anatomy and How to Work with 21 Spine and Hip Conditions by Gwen Miller is a much needed book of stretches and movements. I have two herniated discs and multiple bulging discs and this was a heaven-send.

This is a very interesting read. I have c curve scoliosis, osteoarthritis and my disks are corroding. I find the pain a daily struggle but at the same time in need of small exercises I can do to ease the pain. This book was very informative for this. The only negative comment I would have on this is that it seems to be aimed more at people over 60 instead of focusing on people as a whole regardless of age. I only say this as I'm 30 and have had these issues since I was 15 so to find techniques to try is difficult. This aside, it is a very informative interesting book

This book is targeted for Teachers of Yoga, Instructors of Pilates and Personal Trainers – I am neither of those. However, I have found this book insightful and educational, as I still suffer from back pain after having spinal surgery 5 years ago and have several ongoing disc herniations in my Thoracic and Lumbar regions.

What I found so enlightening is that the book has explained why I am feeling pain in a movement that is supposed to be supportive of my condition, which explains is quite rare. This knowledge has now given me deeper understanding of what is happening within my spine and how best to support.

The book is divided into several sections of back conditions. It is clearly written and offers suggestions for controlled guided movements.

the arc it was a bit harder to follow the layout format sent out. But the material within the book is well structured and great for those wanting to know more about this style of movements.

Such an interesting read! Would definitely reccomend to those serious about resolving thier back pain - it was super helpful for me!

Safe Movement For All Spines
4 Stars

I found myself interested in this book due to a car accident that left me with damage to my cervical and thoracic spine. I have been in physical therapy (PT) for a few years. This book did a great job going into detail on why we do certain exercises, and how to do them correctly. It does well for covering spine mobility. I now better understand what I need to accomplish to achieve my goals long-term.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. It covers an extensive amount of spinal information. Exercises are offered for each diagnosis, which seems on par with PT and chiropractic suggested for many exercises. This would make a great resource for PT, OT, chiropractors, and Yoga instructors. Thank you, NetGalley and North Atlantic Books, for providing me with an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This one I really liked it, I'm a yoga instructor and this books helps a lot with understanding how to make it better for people with different problems of mobility, totally recommended if you do any type of therapy or work for elderly people or anyone with these troubles.

Excellent book if you have or know someone with spine issues such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, had a spinal fusion, sciatica, scoliosis, and many other spinal issues. This book goes into detail about each spinal issue and how to deal with the issue on a daily basis to relieve pain, tips for yoga teachers and trainers, exercises to help with pain, sitting and sleeping positions and more.