Treat Your Own Neck saved my neck! The book is very thin but packed with the info you need to treat your neck pain. The author clearly explains the physiology of the neck, and describes specific exercises to treat specific types of neck pain/injury. The exercises are simple, but not intuitive.

About a year ago I got a bulged disc in my neck. This had never happened before, and I had no idea what was going on. I had very limited movement and what movement I had was very painful. At first, I thought it was just a sore or stiff neck from an awkward bike riding position, or a slight workout injury. As it progressively worsened over the next couple of weeks I started to realize this was more serious. A visit to my MD and a referral to a neurologist confirmed the bulged disc diagnosis. What was their advice for me? Basically a shrug, and they said, “Sometimes it goes away, sometimes you just have to live with it.” They offered me some muscle relaxants. I couldn’t believe that was all modern medicine had to offer.

I was a little panicked, to be honest. I wasn’t really interested in being partially disabled. I remembered a couple of friends who’d experienced debilitating back problems. They both solved their own issues using some exercises out of book. I figured maybe there was something in there for me, too. Turns out the author, Robin McKenzie, wrote a book for backs, AND a book for necks!

Personally, I’d never have figured this out on my own. By following the exercises in the book my neck pain was reduced the first day, and eliminated within two weeks. For my particular symptoms, the book provided just one specific exercise, and suggested some postural changes while sitting and sleeping. Though my bulged disc is gone, I continue to use this exercise whenever I have a stiff or sore neck (bad posture at work, or long drives), and continue to find immediate relief.

The book is the price of an insurance co-payment and, for me at least, worth many times what I paid.

The Surefoot Foot Rubz is a massaging ball that has given me relief from aching feet caused by Ballroom dance lessons. You massage your feet by gently rolling the knobby ball under them. You can apply as much pressure as necessary. It is much more effective than the wooden foot rollers I’ve tried in the past. Best $ I’ve ever spent for relief of tired and achy feet.

I haven’t encountered any source on this subject as broad, accessible, and easily applied as Bob Anderson’s classic Stretching, a patient and friendly stand-in for my eight-grade P.E. teacher.

The 30th anniversary edition of this guidebook came out recently, with even more stretches and illustrations, and it’s easily the most comprehensive work on the subject. I love the activity-specific sections: cyclists, for instance, are shown stretches that not only address the muscle groups made tight and tense by our specific sport, but the stretches geared toward bike riders even include a bicycle to be utilized as a support. Activities from weightlifting to computer using get their own sections, too.

Organizationally, Stretching shines. Tight neck? Rigid shoulders? Thumb through to your prescribed routine and get to work. With minimal flexibility but a willingness to make an effort, almost anyone can use this book to become more limber, healthier.

I was turned onto the aptly-named Yamuna Body Rolling Footsavers about five years ago and haven’t looked back. Like a hard racquetball that has been sliced in half, the Footsavers are designed to help realign the bones, muscles and tendons in your feet. You stand on them and work your feet, positioning each foot down the inside line, outside line and mid-line. It’s a simple routine that’s explained on the instructional DVD it comes with. If you have any foot discomfort, the kind you get from imperfect shoes or simply being on your feel all day, these really can make a difference. At first, it will be painful. You will likely have to not put all your weight onto the Savers, and probably need to do it next to a wall for balance. But the moment you step off the saver, your feet enter a whole new world. I always take these when I travel, as they are quite small. They have saved me after days of walking all around Manhattan and after ultimate frisbee and any bike ride. I find they’re also great after or before any normal day as well. What I appreciate about Footsaving is that you can do it while you drink your morning coffee or while you watch a little TV. Makes it difficult to use the “too busy” excuse. The routine is quick and the relief to my feet has been monumental. I’m sure there is an acupressure effect of some kind with these, though I don’t know exactly how/why it works. I just know they’ve been well worth the initial discomfort and adjustment.