Posture, Get It Straight! Look 10 Years Younger and 10 Pounds Thinner.

Posture, Get It Straight! Look 10 Years Younger and 10 Pounds Thinner Novak J. New York, NY 10014, The Berkley Publishing Group, 1999, paperback, 161 pp, illus, $11.95.

This book presents a program for the improvement of posture. Geared toward readers without a medical background, the book uses terminology that is very general and nonscientific overall. Very simplified explanations are provided in the areas of anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, and exercise. These characteristics will allow any interested reader to understand the author's instructions.

The book begins with general reasons for addressing posture and continues with a brief description of joint positions when posture is ideal. A posture program follows that outlines the author's method for immediate and long-term postural changes. Chapters 4 through 8 focus on specific areas of the body, including separate sections on the head, upper thoracic and scapular regions, lumbar spine and pelvis, and knees and feet. Exercises to correct poor positions of these joints are presented. The next 4 chapters discuss work postures, sleeping, lifting, and sports. Brief descriptions of proper postures for these activities are accompanied by exercises. The final section of the book discusses the relationship of posture to pregnancy and osteoporosis.

Throughout the book, the author remains centered on the exercises or activities that readers should use to improve or prevent poor posture. Each exercise is accompanied by the author's reason for the exercise, but the author makes no attempt to provide any references to support her rationales. In addition, she does not address the effectiveness of the exercises in the book. There are no references within the chapters or following the text.

The organization and style of the book clearly reflect its general audience. The concepts, as presented, are easily understood, and the figures that accompany the text are simple black-and-white illustrations. The reader is able to comprehend the suggested changes and follow proposed activities.

Because of the intended audience, this book is not a reference text for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants. It provides simple exercises and activities that are common to physical therapy practice. Its brief references to potential complications of the exercises and the need for individualization of a postural program suggest that it would have limited value for patients. It could be presented as a resource that heightens the awareness of the importance of posture or possibly serves as a description of some exercises commonly used to address postural changes.

Nancy R Talbott, PT University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 

Ms Talbott is Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Program and teaches in the areas of biomechanics and kinesiology.