Many of us find ourselves at home in efforts to flatten the curve and save lives. Instead of diving head first into the next binge-worthy streaming show, there are tons of amazing books waiting to be discovered. Here are a few of our favorite reads that you may find enjoyable as you stay at home.
The Athlete’s Book of Home Remedies: 1,001 Doctor-Approved Health Fixes and Injury-Prevention Secrets for a Leaner, Fitter, More Athletic Body! by Jordan D. Metzl, M.D. and Mike Zimmerman
You may know Dr. Jordan Metzl as one of the leading Sports Medicine physicians at The Hospital for Special Surgery. He is also an author and has provided a great resource for dealing with many common injuries in this book. What makes this book so valuable is that it explores many ailments that a patient may succumb to and breaks them down into easily understandable components and treatment methods. This creates a straightforward path for the reader to follow on the road to recovery. The book is sectioned by body region which helps you quickly hone in on your injured area. The book even has illustrations and pictures of specific exercises linked to each diagnosis. Another great feature is that each section has guidance on when home treatment is no longer appropriate and when its time to call your doctor. Readers can use this book to help manage aches and pains when they occur as well as a source of information on preventative measures to avoid these injuries in the first place.
Explain Pain by David Butler and Dr. Lorimer Moseley
Explain Pain is a great resource for patients of all ages. This book wonderfully explores the concept of pain and how our minds are so intricately connected to the experience of pain. The book is based on evidence and pain research focused on our current understanding of the subject. Butler and Moseley take difficult medical topics and use simple explanations and illustrations, making it easily accessible. This book goes over topics like the anatomy of the nervous system, current practices on pain management, how to reframe our approach to pain, and dives deeper into understanding our intimate relationships to pain. With this book, knowledge is power: the more we understand what contributes to our perceptions of pain, the better we can address it. This book is especially relevant during our current opioid epidemic and over-reliance on “quick fixes.” It helps to set a framework for a more holistic approach to pain and a pathway to recovery.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This non-fiction autobiographical book takes us through Dr. Kalanithi’s medical journey from being a young neurosurgery resident to becoming a patient with end-stage lung cancer. Dr. Kalanithi’s love of the literary arts (even had a Master of Arts in English Literature) is clearly appreciated in his ability to eloquently link the worlds of literacy, philosophy, and medicine. He also expresses a refreshing take on the doctor-patient relationship as he experiences it from both sides. He takes us on the path of understanding how our purpose in life and sense of identity may be challenged and called into question when an illness strikes. Another great feature of this book, is that it connects with both patient and health care practitioner alike.
All of these books are available via online platforms so that you can continue to safely practice Stay at Home orders. Take a peek in to these great reads and let us know what you think!
Jari Haile, DPT, OCS, ATC, PES, is able to pinpoint faulty mechanics and movement patterns that contribute to pain. She incorporates skilled manual therapy to elongate shortened tissues, stretch tightened muscles, align the spine and decrease compression on the body’s joints. She then taps into the body’s neural pathways to “retrain the brain” how to move properly and finally break the pain-producing cycle.