Alternative Books

Thanks so much for writing your book and making yourself accessible to people all over the world who are seeking help and answers with regard to arthritis. You really helped someone I know both through your book and through your phone consultation with her.

I have read your book and the way you have met adversity in your life is so admirable and inspiring. You, to my eye, are like the phoenix who flew through the ashes. Although I do not have arthritis, I have made a lot positive changes in my diet in large measure due to your book.

I also got tested for food allergies in keeping with the recommendation in your book and now know to avoid peanuts and realize the signs of inflammation that I was experiencing and ignoring every time I ate them. However, since the testing that I had done was not extensive, I will at some point purchase and benefit from the results of the alcat which you recommend in your book and on your website. My understanding is that the alcat tests one not only for antibodies, but also for sensitivities to 150 foods.

Barbara, your book is such a comprehensive guide for people about all of the kinds of things they should know and can do to heal themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I know someone with rheumatoid arthritis and someone with osteoarthritis. Have recommended your book to both of them.

Your book is a blessing to arthritis sufferers and it is so useful as well to those who just want to nurture themselves in the best, most health conscious ways. It contains proactive health tips for any health conscious individual who wants to be sure to consume healthy foods and avoid foods that cause inflammation in their bodies.

Gratefully, Grace

Book was very organized and as a result was clear. The format of explanation and then giving a plan of action was excellent. The only thing it needed to be a 5 Star was a little more humor.

A different theory at what causes arthritis, written by someone who generally cured herself. Talks a lot about food sensitivities that cause arthritis and how to figure out what your food sensitivity so you can avoid or reduce your expose thus feel better.

This author has figured out what causes many cases of arthritis. I have osteoarthritis and have been following her recommendations for about a month now. I can already tell a difference in the way I feel. If I cheat, I can really tell the difference the next day. I recommend this book.

I think this is a good book, but unfortunately, the author's type of arthritis (allergic) is not related to rheumatoid arthritis, which is what my husband has. So, basically, I wasted my money on a book we cannot use.

This book is really wonderful! Fortunately I don't have to deal with any severe back problems, but am mainly interested in the posture aspect of the book. The background information (accompanied by photos and illustrations) about how the spine works, how our everyday life can compromise its health, how many other cultures don't have the kind of back problems that we have come to accept as inevitable, is truly fascinating. The solutions offered are easy to incorporate into daily life. They address the way we sit, stand, lie down, bend down and walk. The descriptions are easy to understand, and the many photos make it very easy to follow the instructions. I am definitely much more aware of how I move and of my posture and I am sure that the benefits in the long run will be enormous.

I suffered from nightly back pain for months. I purchased two new beds before going to a chiropractor. I only experienced limited temporary relief. I then purchased 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back. (for less than one co-pay to the chiropractor) While there are beneficial exercises in the book - most helpful to me were the postures I could use in my everyday life - sitting - walking - and even sleeping. The author also includes photos of common mistakes of what NOT to do. Easy to read, colorful and sturdy book binding. I am back pain free after only about 10 days.

This is an elegantly written, beautifully illustrated book which should be on the shelves of everyone who has ever had a back twinge, stiff neck, or generally poor posture. I would recommend it to those who are concerned about the accumulative effects of habitually poor sitting, sleeping, or walking postures, because it nurtures an increased consciousness for what postures will inevitably lead to problems down the road while offering a clear and memorable program for making sustainable, longterm changes. I often find myself now, for instance, when driving or sitting at my desk, automatically placing my shoulders in the correct sitting position and lengthening my spine as I work. It increases my productivity, and saves my back! For someone who hasn't had extreme back problems, but is on the cusp of middle-age, I find this book has opened up a whole new language for body care that is already having a positive impact on my health.

After being diagnosed with several chronic back problems and being told that back surgery was inevitable, I felt desperate to find a way to avoid surgery. I stumbled upon this book by accident, but was immediately intrigued by the foundations and lessons presented in this book. The book is well-written, uses simple, straight-forward language, and includes detailed photos and descriptive steps to work through the lessons. In addition, the book itself is beautiful, and includes hundreds of photos and diagrams to illustrate the principles. The steps themselves are simple enough, though not necessarily EASY; they will take some practice to get used to, but they can be incorporated right into your everyday activities and do not require extra "workout time" or special equipment. I am just starting to incorporate these steps into my daily routine, and I am already noticing some small improvements in my posture and a reduction in pain. The testimonials from other individuals who have either read the book or have taken a class with Esther Gokhale are absolutely amazing and inspiring! There are several printed in the book, [...], which also includes a wealth of information! I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to ease back and neck pain, or simply just wants to improve their posture, since it truly is the foundation for a strong, healthy body. I'm thankful to Esther for her immense research and long hours that went into this book, and for her generosity in sharing this wealth of information with the rest of us!

8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back: Natural Posture Solutions for Pain in the Back, Neck, Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Foot (Remember When It Didn't Hurt)
After reading Esther's wonderful book I was lucky enough to be able to work with her individually. She teaches new ways to sit, stand, lie down, and walk -- moves you thought you knew how to do, right? -- which align, stretch, strengthen and relax the body. The book does a great job of capturing her teachings. After being told all my life to "stand up straight", I finally know how to do that. I've had major neck surgery and a knee replacement, as well as being told I need foot surgery. Besides great improvements with all the types of pain listed in the title, all of which I had, I was delighted to see how much better good posture makes me look (I'm no sylph),and and how much more easily I move.

I have found this book to be an effective approach for back and hip pain. I recommend and have gifted this book to several people. It does take doing the exercises. I had some hip pain that was bothersome for a couple of months and went away never to return after using Dr. Brownstein's approach.

My husband was experiencing crippling lower back pain, that was also running down his right thigh. We were wanting to avoid pain pills and another surgery. I bought this book based on the reviews, and he has been faithfully doing the back exercises at least every day. He found relief within a few days. It's worth a try if you are going through this kind of stuff. He had been through one back surgery that relieved his pain, but we misunderstood the need to do exercises initially. When the pain started coming again, in a different area, we thought he should try this first. I would highly recommend this book.

This book is excellent. Suffered for over 20 years with back pain, diagnosed with degenerative discs and multiple level herniations. Experienced many times the kind of intense pain that finds you on the floor. Tried physical therapy, chriopractors, acupuncture, pain management, anything to avoid surgery. But I was afraid that surgery was my only hope. Now since I've read this book I no longer worry about surgery. Because I'm pain free and can even do yoga - something I never thought possible.

As someone who has had back pain for many years, I learned alot of helpful techniques and strategies to ease the pain. I am now practicing many of ideas outlined in the book and am feeling somewhat better. Definitely worth reading for anyone with chronic back pain.

I purchaed this book for my elderly mother, a retired nurse, who had been to four back specialists and resorted to pain block injections for her spine, which looks like a twisted road in an X-ray. Nothing the doctors told her to do or take, including physical therapy, seemed to alleviate the pain. But when she started doing the exercises in this book, she was able to sleep and function 85% better than before. She does the excises in bed morning and evening. I would recommend it to anyone with back pain, regardless of their age.

This book is extremely helpful for children with ADHD. It gives practical and fast working advice that is right on the money. It is a great place to start when looking for an alternative to drug therapy. I highly recommend this be the first book you read when you are learning about ADHD - it may be the only one you need. Thank you to Dr. Bob for all your research and clinical expertise that went into writing this book and for all the children you have saved!

Dr. Bob in his book is another one of those writers about ADHD who believes (sincerely) that supplements, food, good parenting, and so on is the correct answer for treatment of all types of ADHD/ADD. While certainly, the above would help almost any type of disorder, he never bothers to mention at ANY time when his idea did not work, (ie the vitamins failed to solve the child's problems)--so am I believe it is 100% successful?!! Amazing. My question for Dr. Bob is if pharmaceuticals do not work, then why can I name so many success stories from people who DO USE them. Oh, by the way, they do not work all the time. He is a convincing, good writer, he is just totally wrong. Also, he forgets that we now are seeing adults in their 40s still having the symptoms of ADD, who by the way had them first diagnosed in the 1-3rd grades. I would recommend his book, because it is well written and organized. And, all children do NOT need to take medications to modify their behavior. I do think our society at time has gone overboard with that notion. But his book is not the cure all with his omega oils and patented products he so often wants you to use. He has some very good ideas, and I took this into account. He says sugar impairs you immune system, which is abosolutely false, and has some other non sense he tries to pass on with questionable science to back it up. To me it appears as another one of those who believes you should avoid ALL medications at ALL costs no matter what. Also, how many cases a day does he "treat" for ADHD, and how does he deal with adults who have had it for so long. Does he, while flexing soft tissue as a chiropractor, take time out to express his feeling while giving a massage? ADHD/ADD is a long complex condition-- that foods and vitamins cannot "fix" so easily as this half life of 18 days he speaks about. It often involves moral and personal issues at home, that by avoiding sugar is just not going to cover. guyairey

My 5 year old son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. So, when I first saw the title of this book I thought it was a joke and I was hestitant about ordering it. But to my surprise it is a great book! The book does a great job of explaining (in plain english) what ADHD is, how to begin to heal the body and how important a sugar/ dairy/ gluten free diet is.
Upon his suggestion, I immediately, but graduately, changed my son's diet and found an hollistic doctor which we are currently working with. I have seen a change in his hyperactivity since removing the sugar and the fast food and he is even doing much better in school.
This book is an easy read, I read it in four days! I recommend this book to all parents!

When I first saw this book I thought... "18 days? Yeah, right." But I thought I didn't have anything to lose but a few dollars so I got it. We had tried all kinds of diets, vitamins, meds. Things would get better but not be entirely "back to normal".

I read through Dr. Bob's book, took notes, implemented some of the thoughts... I read the entry of one of the readers below that talked about the parasites and wondered if perhaps that was it for us too.

We had an appointment and saw a doctor. Parasites it was. Five days on a course of black walnut tincture and my daughter was a new child. She lost her diagnosis of ADHD the next doctor appointment we had. The teachers could not believe the difference. We are still in awe.

Thank you Dr. Bob. Without you and your book, my daughter would still be on Concerta. And the health of our family would never have been improved from your other recommendations.

For this and so much more, Dr. Bob:
THANK YOU !!!

PS We also HIGHLY recommend the daily devotional Dr. Bob has written. I don't have a friend who hasn't bought it after hearing some of the topics discussed in it - turning grey hair back, the hazards of peanut butter, better sleep, back pain solutions, bringing liver enzymes back to normal, migraines, and the list goes on and on with advice we had never ever heard before and my friends and I read A LOT of health books !!!

My 3 year old son had been out of control for a long time. He had many symptoms of ODD. He had a short fuse and got angry easily. He always whined and wouldn't sleep through the night. Both my husband and I were at a breaking point, but knew we did NOT want to go the medication route. I always thought our family ate pretty healthy; we would limited our kids sugar/snack intake and we weren't a milk drinking family so I didn't think that my son's 'attitude' symptoms were food/mineral deficiant related. Boy, were we wrong!
While reading Dr. Bob's book I compared my son's 'symptoms' to those in the book. Dr. Bob's book has been a lifesaver! We noticed a difference in only 5 days!
We started w/ the nigtly salmon oil, added flax, changed to soy and rice milk and we are beginning to add vitamins and whole food minerals. We even started the program for all 3 my children.
This book has added a bright future for our children and has given my husband and I the peace in knowing we are actually getting to the root of the problam instead of just medicating the problem. Thanks Dr. Bob.

This book has finally combined all views of medicine from the conventional to the all-natural. I enjoyed sharing this book with my pediatrician, who had great things to say about my approach. I love this book and reach for it every time I suspect a cold or illness. We use it for the entire family! Great all around book. I would give this book to ANYONE, not just those seeking natural treatments.

This is the book I get for all of my friends when they are expecting.It has been incredibly helpful for me with my 3 kids and also with the children I watch (I do home daycare). I highly recommend it to everyone. The adult version is excellent too.

I used this book and a homeopathy book in raising my two children. It is all you will need. It gives you the right information to make decisions on whether you should rush them to the hospital, or give them a homeopathic remedy or other natural treatment. The book aids you in making logical and informed decisions for you children. For those of you who still might think homeopathy is "snake oil", think again. I cured teething problems, colics, ear aches, tummy aches, coughs, bumps and bruises, minor burns, bee stings, and if you pick the right remedy, the kids get better in seconds. If you don't vaccinate your kids, this is an even more important resource because of detailed information on conditions that even the (allopathic, that is) doctor may not know about. Thank you Janet Zand and other authors for giving parents the knowledge and tools to treat our children naturally and keep them healthy.

I bought this hoping would help my daughter and my family, but was very disappointed when something really happens, I can't find a way to deal with it. Take a easy example, my daughter has this eczema and I tried to find a easy way to help her at home, but all I could find from the book are some very strange medicines that I've never heard of before. I guess maybe it's strictly for people who are familiar with homeopathy, but not for me definately!

A friend sent us this book when we had our first child. I still refer to it today. You dont realize you need this book but you are sure glad that you have it. It's the best baby shower gift.

Best book ever. No, really. Such a lifesaver. The wedding process has not been a smooth one for me, and I was really at my wits' end until I got this book. I'm still fighting the good fight, though, and Ariel kind of made it possible. It's really hard, in our culture, to plan a wedding and be a feminist-- even a mild-mannered one. I have ammunition, and a renewed sense of humor about the event. It helps you feel better about wanting what you want and draws a HUGE line between bridezilla behavior and merely wanting to be a project manager-- I'm definitely the latter... though I'm not sure my mother (who wants me to have a traditional ceremony) woud agree... BUY THIS BOOK. Even if you're going traditional, BUY IT ANYWAY.

This book is more for getting fired up about planning a wedding that feels real to you and your spouse-to-be than it is step-by-step instructional.

I've never laughed out loud at a wedding book, and I laughed so often while reading this I startled my fiance. It's full of anecdotes from other brides and Stallings recounts her own wedding procession, from non-proposal to post-wedding emotions.

While she didn't have finger-wagging naysayers shooting down her indie visions, other brides in her book did, and give you suggestions and advice on dealing with the people who love you who think they should be running your wedding.

If you are looking to get married and have a meaningful celebration with family and friends, this book opens up the possibilities. And it's not too indie-snobbish, either. As Stallings says on her fantastic web site http://offbeatbride.com, "Your wedding is not a contest...I don't think your wedding needs to be more offbeat. It just needs to be honest and authentic, and if what you want is a white dress and a more traditional ceremony, I think that's f*****g awesome."

What a great book for for alternative weddings- Helped me plan a awesome wedding for a friend- Great book, loved it!

I'm an American living in Japan, and though I have friends here, it has been difficult to find someone to discuss the ins and outs and minute details of my wedding with. It is so easy to lose yourself in all the wedding glitz and without my close friends here to act as mirrors, I felt myself slipping, forgetting who I am and what the real me would want for my wedding.

Then I ordered this book.

It instantly snapped me back to the reality of who I am and what I want. It gave me great ideas, inspired my creativity and most of all, it supported my offbeat-ness in a land that has only pretty recently considered western style weddings to be on-beat (making them THE thing to do).

I know it sounds cheeseball, but seriously, this book is like having a good friend that I can tote around in my bag, when all of my good friends are across the planet.

This book is a breath of fresh air...so many wedding planning books focus on ONE type of wedding. The traditional, white wedding, and nothing else. This is a modern take on planning that provides some great advice for the creative bride who feels stifled by this and wants more options. Best of all, reading this makes wedding planning FUN, which is a small miracle!

I purchased an older version of this book and now plan to get the updated version. I am really impressed. The book is easy to read, has lots of great information, and answers many questions. It is easy to follow and I think a PLUS for any one who is interested in natural medicine. Too bad more conventional doctors don't have a copy of this book.

I've owned the earlier edition of this book for over 10 years and have used it exclusively for all ailments. It has always provided the most sensible advice. My father frequently called me for medical advice from my book so I bought him this latest edition. He says it has helped him in talking to his doctor by providing good information on the disease, cause, treatment options. It takes the naturopathic approach to treating illness, avoiding pharmaceuticals, and focusing on natural remedies. I would not be without it.

As a former skeptic of naturopathic medicine, I would like to tell people that are considering purchasing this book that it is a balanced, well-written resource.

I appreciate the fact that it cites what we know from mainstream medicine and then illustrates how alternative natural therapies can be applied to various conditions. I also pleased that for each condition, multiple therapies are recommended instead of just one. This allows the reader the ability to tailor their treatment plan to their needs and available materials.

Very educational and well written. Would highly recommend.

An Excellent book with great info. A must to have book at an unbeatable price makes it an excellent value for money. The info are up to date and usefull.

This book is the single most amazing book I have read on medicine and medical conditions. I have many medical books, and although they are quite definitive with regard to illnesses and mostly orthodox medication as a remedy, this book will open your eyes to a whole new world. The medical community does not treat the body holistically, and i do not mean that in a hippyish, spiritual way, but genuinely. There are so many specialists in the world, each being specifically trained as a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, etc,. but only clinical diagnosticians seem to view the body as a whole. Mr. Michael Murray has extensive knowledge on psysiology and anatomy, and it is clearly evident that he has insight into the genuine reasons for so many illnesses, as he is not under the thumb of pharmaceutical companies that doctors rely on so much. He has covered all the areas of the body, trying to be understandable and as succinct as possible, (this is an encyclopedia, not a text book per se), while not undermining the integrity of the medical information he dispenses. EVERY SINGLE home that can get their hands on this book will benefit for their lifetime. All I can say is there is no other book on medicine that for the lay person, will help them, inform them, and possibly cure them, like this book!

This book makes a strong attempt to properly diagnose the many RSI-related injuries however if you want to get the real diagnosis and cure yourself of RSI in a very short period of time like thousands of others have, read "The Mindbody Prescription" by John Sarno. It is available on Amazon. Just read the reviews for it.

Of the books that I bought, this is the best of the lot for information on Carpal Tunnel and all other repetiltion syndromes. Extremely helpfu.

If you want to buy just one book on this subject, then this is the one

When I was managing a software development group, a programmer on the team showed up at work one day with wrist braces. Turns out typing had become agony for him. He read this book, then diligently and conscientiously followed some of the recommended practices (strength training, yoga, serious workplace ergonomic changes). The wrist braces are gone, and his career has been saved.

You can't fix anything just by reading a book. You *can* fix things when you understand the problem and have some ways to combat it. This book can give you both.

This is by far the best source of information and guidance on RSI that I've ever seen. It's the only book (along with dr. Pascarelli's books) that explains the true causes of RSI symptoms. It will help you understand what's happening to you if you have RSI, and it will help you manage your symptoms and find appropriate treatment. It's a must-have book if you live in an area or country where RSI specialists are hard to find.

I will be keeping this book next to my beside for years to come! Dr. Johnston's writing is not only eloquent and engaging, but her themes are bright and strong. This book is a must-read for any woman feeling lost in her own skin and in society. My relationship with myself and my food will never be the same again!

Reading this book has been wonderful for me. It provides survival tools in the form of stories and metaphors so they are easy to remember and call on when in distress. It separates weight from the issue, and suggests a more holistic and psychological approach toward resolution.

I recommend this for anyone who suffers from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or compulsive eating disorder.

This is an incredible book. It is beautifully written in a way which is easy to understand. The stories are so profound. I recommend it for all women, especialy those with disordered eating.

"Eating in the Light of the Moon" is hands down the best book on disordered eating I have yet to read, because it sheds light on the painful struggle with uplifting, inspiring storytelling. Johnston's soft, delicate voice will weave you through tales of distant lands which somehow bring you to the shore of self-discovery. This book does use psychology as the basis for its generalizations, but I never found it to be too preachy. Like saying good-bye to your favorite characters at the end of a novel, you will not want this story to end. It is one giant affirmation, and I recommend it especially to women who long to reclaim their hidden or lost feminine.

For people who want to recover from an eating disorder this book is a must for your library. It is conforting, interesting and soulful. It prompts the inner self to open its mouth and get ready to be fed what will truly nourish you.

An eating disorder can be a catalyst to your growth as a person if you surrender to it with awareness and be open to its teachings. This book can help you do that. When you really know what you need besides behaviors of an eating disorder then you can go about the task of learning and working in partnership with life to create what you are really wanting and desiring.

If you are new in recovery this book helps open the door to the deeper self and prepares you for a journey. If you are already in recovery and want another affirming voice to add to your support system, this book will help.

I'm hooked . My goal is to get teacher's using these methods in the schools for are children. I had trouble staying focused in school.If this was a part of my life then, I know I could have had a much stronger education.I'm no longer tired ,or stressed by little things. This is the best gift you could give anyone.

I was sceptical at first. Like Qigong repakaged. Then watch the video and practiced with the VCD and I believe that it will help me in my work for myself, as well as my paitients.

I am a psychiatrist and often enough at the end of my clinic day, I felt strained with the "worried well" patients. The techniques taught should be helpful in zipping out my patients' stress.

Basic but yet complete enough to help you remember what you may forget if not used daily. Sometimes there are just too many things or steps to remember and this avoids that problem! Great tools!!

I've long been a fan of Donna Eden's work and this kit makes it easy to maintain some basic energy systems on your own! I always feel great after I go through the exercises.

Donna Eden's medicine kit has helped me cure facial muscle spasms for which regular medicine was going to inject me with botox as a 'cure' to paralyze the spasms.
'There was nothing else they could do" they said.

As a yoga teacher myself I know quite well how to work with energy, but could not get rid of the spasms which of course hindered me enormously when teaching class.
Just imagine a yoga teacher with facial tics!. No! Not funny!
The techniques handed to me by Donna Eden have given me a miraculous cure.
I've adopted some of her techniques and exercises and now even pass them on to the classes.
Forever grateful to Donna!
Ingrid