I’ve had so much stuff going on- but thankfully, it’s all starting to calm down, so I’m able to get things a little more under control.

First off- let me thank you all for of your wonderful support for the Back Together app for iPad. Your feedback has been just terrific- and as a thank you to all of the folks who have downloaded it, we are offering a free upgrade, making the program better than ever. In addition to some little bug fixes, there’s a whole new introduction with an opportunity to meet the real couples featured in the videos. When you hear some of their stories, perhaps you will hear some things you may relate to. I know you’ll enjoy it. Look for the update sometime in the next 14 days.

If you haven’t already downloaded Back Together Interactive, what the hell are you waiting for?!?! Its available now in the iPad App Store.

My next exciting announcement is the forthcoming release of my second book- Fifteen Surefire Tips for Back Pain (plus 192 others just in case…)

This is the first book ever to take you through your day, and help you find all of the ergonomic traps- or anatomic bombs - in your life, and get rid of them. Back pain is often the cumulative effect of many factors, and while your doctor can help you fix your pain today, you had better do something to make your life more back friendly, or you’ll find yourself back at their office looking for relief. The book will be released in time for Christmas, and will be available from the iBook store, Amazon, and my website, backtogether.org.

I’ve got a backlog of viewer questions to get to, so look for them over the coming weeks, and as always, please keep your cards & letters coming- they’re what help to keep the blog interesting.

Be well!

Andy

Anthony Robbins has gotten- BACK TOGETHER!

Two weeks ago, I spoke at the Health Freedom Expo in Chicago, and participated in a panel discussion with several other contributors to Martha Stewart’s Whole Living- it was a really fun event, and I had the opportunity to meet some of the readers of Whole Living, and visitors to my blog. Thank you so much for coming out to see me- it was fantastic getting to know some of you.

I’ve been out promoting the Back Together iPad app. The response from users so far has been wonderful. If you have an iPad, and you haven’t gotten Back Together Interactive, what are you waiting for? Join users who have been finding relief using this new and innovative approach to back and neck pain. Click here to download it now!

The manuscript for book two is getting closer!!! I am looking for an end-of-August or beginning-of-September release of this book, and it is turning out great. I am keeping some of the details of this one under my hat until it gets closer to being done, but you’re going to love it. In a related note- I have acquired the rights from my previous publisher for my first book, Back Together- Hands-on Healing for Couples, and will be re-releasing that one as well- with some great improvements. All of this will be coming to you under the new Back Together Media label. I am really excited about this.

I have a stack of viewer mails to respond to- look for one later today, and there should be a new post from me on the Martha Stewart website sometime in the next day or two.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Andy

One of the ONLY images of a shuttle docked with the International Space Station- photo taken from a leaving supply ship. Amazing! I watched the shuttle program in awe from day 1. Here's hoping the U.S. finds its way back into space SOON!

Wow! When it rains, it pours. Really. Sometimes, just when you think things are about to level out, you get hit with an avalanche. Welcome to my world!

Things have been crazy here- between the iPad launch, some patient advocacy work, finishing Book 2, getting a new teaching appointment, preparing for some upcoming speaking engagements, and a whole mess of other things, I’ve just been swamped. I’m kind of hoping things will level out this time- ’cause I’m tapped!

Thank you for the amazing response to the iPad app!

Co-creators of the Back Together Interactive App- Me & Jessie Friedman.

Jessie and I are so pleased with the response to the iPad app. Your kind words have really been wonderful. We are currently working on an update to the intro video, which will soon include some great interview footage with some actual Back Together Interactive participants, as well as cleaning up the user interface to make your experience even better. The upgrade will be free to users- so look for it in the next few weeks.

Tell your friends & family members to get their copy today!

Catch me live in Chicago.

I am excited to be a guest speaker at the Health Freedom Expo in Chicago, June 10-12. I will be speaking on Friday, and be a participant in a panel discussion on Saturday. It looks to be a wonderful program, and if you happen to be in the area, it would be great to see you there.

My newest post on Whole Living Daily.

Here is the link to my most recent post on Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Daily. Check it out when you have a chance.

Check back regularly for new updates. I’ve been sitting on a few viewer questions for a while- look for some responses in the next week.

Best,

Andy

I’ve been working on a bunch if new posts while I’ve been out promoting then new Back Together iPad app- look for some of these new posts next week on the blog.

Thanks for stopping by.

-Andy

The Shuttle program nearing it's last flight. Thanks to all of the astronauts who piloted these amazing craft and enabled us to learn so much about our universe.

-Andy

I first read the book when I was 12, and I’ve read it every couple of years since then, which is why it is so surprising that I’ve missed something so clear. In the first book or ‘ring’- called ‘The Earth Scroll’, he lays down the rules necessary to learn the art of military science. They are as follows:

1) Think of what is right and true.

2) Practice and cultivate the science.

3) Become acquainted with the arts.

4) Know the principles of the crafts.

5) Understanding the harm and benefit in everything.

6) Learn to see everything accurately.

7) Become aware of what is not obvious.

8 ) Be careful even in small matters.

9) Do not do anything useless.

Now, these seem like pretty good rules for just about anything, but somehow I missed something: These are the basic tenets which make a good physician. As I looked back at all of the people who I learned from- the physicians who were my role models- those I admired the most closely followed these rules. I sure try to myself.

I know I have a fair number of medical students reading my blog- you should take this list to heart, it will serve you well.

I just think it’s cool having something in common with the Samaurai. Maybe I should start carrying my sword to the office. Well, maybe that’s not such a good idea…

Thanks for stopping by,

Andy

Self portrait of Miyamoto Musashi.

-Andy

Thanks so much to Helene for digging this one up- brilliant!

Best,
Andy

For me, the winter is a tough time of the year. Since I was a teenager, I have suffered with very bad seasonal affective disorder and this has always made the winter difficult. Over the years, I have been able to identify several things which help me get through it all- and more importantly, my wife has too.

When my younger daughter was born, my wife Donna suffered with a serious case of post-partum depression. As a result, we’ve both developed methods for maintaining our sanity and well-being. Here’s what Donna has to say about one of our most important coping mechanisms- Date Night:

About five years ago, when I suffered from post-partum depression, my husband, Andy, and I decided to try out couple’s counseling.  We found a great therapist who gave us some useful communication tools.  We also found our way back to our relationship, apart from what the counseling sessions offered.

Because we had treated the counseling as critical, we managed to marshal the support of my in-laws, who provided babysitting for our girls.  We would go out to dinner after each session.  We once again began to revel in each others’ company and soon realized that the time alone as a couple proved just as beneficial as the counseling.

We have now made a weekly date-night a regular fixture in our lives.  It’s not always easy to budget this but we see it as a priority.  When funds are tight, we call in favors with family or swap babysitting time with friends.  Come hell or high water, Andy and I make time to be alone together each week.

If you are in a relationship, especially one in which pain figures in largely, consider weighing the costs of not having a date night.  That time apart from your kids, your pain or your other obligations will make an extraordinary difference in your lives.  Then think about how much fun you’ll have together outside of the counselor’s chair.

Happy dating! 

-Donna

Keeping yourself sane is one of the best things you can do to relieve back pain. Pain effects virtually everything you do- maintaining a sense of normalcy will always help to keep the pain at bay. Time with someone you love is one of the most normal, wonderful things you can do.

Now, here’s the sex…

Check out my newest post on Martha Stewarts Whole Living Daily blog about back pain and comfortable sex.

Please share your experiences with ways to experience a comfortable sexual experience while recovering from back pain.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Andy

Spring is coming!!!

Saturday afternoon, I was in New York celebrating my daughter’s tenth birthday when I heard of the tragedy in Arizona. I held my daughter close as she swallowed her birthday pizza when I heard that a 9 year old girl was amongst the fatalities. My heart goes out to everyone in Arizona, particularly those whose lives were directly impacted by this senseless act. My prayers are with the family of Christina Taylor Green as they mourn their unspeakable loss, and with the family of Representative Giffords as she embarks on what we all hope will be a speedy and good recovery.

In this time of loss, I feel it is important that we all take a moment to reflect upon the tone of political rhetoric in this country. With all of the talking heads, editorialists, and commentators out there, we are literally inundated with opinions and soundbites all day long. As such, it is very easy to forget that the words we all say carry weight, and effect those around us in different, yet meaningful ways.

Many studies have been done that underscore the actual effect words have. For example, studies have shown that if you repeat the same lie over and over (if I recall correctly, the magic number is 21 times) people will actually begin to adopt the lie as truth, even when logic tells them it is a lie. It is easy to see how similar repetition could have effects that extend out into other types of behaviors. With this knowledge, words become concrete entities- real life manifestations of our intent. Repeatedly using violence tinged metaphors can easily result in episodes like the one in Arizona.

I’m not blaming any party or individual other than the gunman who committed this horrible crime, so please don’t extrapolate anything beyond this: The rhetorical discourse being tossed about is more than just words being spoken. People really need to understand that when they say things, their words affect people. We all do it every day, and perhaps this is something we all need to consider before we open our mouths.

I would love to hear people discuss their differences, political or otherwise, without invoking hate speech, violent imagery, or other things which are at best disrespectful to those being targeted, and at worst potentially encouraging to the less stable folks amongst us to do horrific things.

Choose your words carefully, and give honest consideration to the meaning of what you are saying. Do your opinions need to be stated in ways that are threatening or insulting to those who don’t share your opinions? Can you educate people about your opinion without eviscerating those with a different approach? When did it become so hard to be kind to one another? Our nation was founded as a sanctuary for those who shared differing beliefs. We should all work hard to keep it that way.

Just something to think about.

Be well,

Andy

I love simple solutions to problems. One common problem I receive questions about here on the blog, and in my practice is how to enjoy intimacy without exacerbating low back or sacroiliac pain. If you are recovering from low back issues, you probably already know that it can adversely affect intercourse. Folks are always asking me about ways to enjoy each other without hurting during or after.

Usually, I give advice regarding positions or stretches to do before or after intercourse, but rarely do I encounter products which can actually be beneficial in alleviating low back discomfort associated with sex. Last year, I did have one post on a company which offered some useful products, but by and large, there really isn’t much out there.

I recently met the designer of a product called The Bouncer made by a company called Amoroso Innovations at a convention, and while it is essentially offered as a sexual aid, it was clear to me that it would be a great help to couples where one member may be suffering with low back or sacroiliac issues.

Basically, The Bouncer is a short chair with a resilient bouncy seat one partner can sit on, which provides support for their lower back while still allowing them to bounce up and down. I love this product- it works great, and could save you a lot of problems if back pain has been disrupting your intimacy.

Needless to say, I went back and forth about whether to include more graphic photos with this post, but I figure you can check out their website if you really want to see more.

Thanks for stopping by,

Andy