I picked up an interesting book by a Physical Therapist and former bodybuilder named Ming Chew.  The title of the book is The Permanent Pain Cure.  This describes a rather unique approach to stretching and injury rehab called the Ming Method. The uniqueness of Ming's approach has to do with fascial stretching.  Fascia is the fibrous connective tissue which is a general covering for muscle and other organs.  Often muscle overuse syndromes and injuries also involve the fascia and the inflammation can result in the fascia becoming tight and adherent to the underlying muscle.  Thus the underlying theory is that stretching the muscle alone is not going to be very helpful unless it also addresses the fascia. 

The stretches themselves are for the most part new to me.  I have never seen most of them.  They do work however but they require a bit of effort both to learn and to execute.  It is worth it.  The author explains the application of the individual stretch in detail and pictures are included.  Another helpful implement is the "tape loop".  This is a separate list of thoughts as sort of a mental checklist that you should be thinking about as you do the stretches.  These are provided for each stretch.  Given the complexity and novelty of the stretches this is very helpful. 

The stretches are broken down into programs such as programs for back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and other situations.  Additional components to the Ming Method include hydration and anti-inflammatory diet and supplements.  Adequate hydration is a must for everyone, particularly those with soft tissue inflammatory issues and tightness.  Some of these traction methods will hopefully hydrate joints and discs.  Hence hydration is important.  The discussion of Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation is worth paying attention to as well.  The anti-inflammatory properties of these supplements are no joke.  Everyone should consider taking them particularly as they can reduce the consumption of other agents like the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.  One area where I somewhat disagree with the author is  the suggestion of enzyme supplementation. Enzymes that break down fibrous adhesions are recommended.  The problem is enzymes are proteins and when these are taken orally they are broken down into individual amino acids by the gut.  An exception is digestive enzymes which assist with digestion and work in the gut but for enzymes taken orally the likelihood of them making it to where they need to go is pretty slim.  According to studies some of these enzymes do make it into the general circulation but much of the dose is broken down in the gut.  The author recommends taking these supplements on an empty stomach three times a day.  Sounds like too much work given the dubious benefit.  Thus I won't be using them.  I am a minimalist when it comes to supplements.  Here is a direct quote from the book "Most people older than thirty-five can't produce all the enzymes the body requires".  Really, for what?  When is the last time someone you knew died from an enzyme deficiency?  He also advocates a Life Extension Mix with over 90 ingredients.  Come on.  That is just silly.  Eat good food, train, do joint mobility/IMA/stretching, wear a seat belt, wear sunscreen, don't smoke, don't be a dick to people, don't do drugs, floss your teeth, get adequate sleep and minimize stress.  That ought to buy you a lot of years.

There is also a strength training section which will be of minimal use to most people who are already in to fitness but for an average sedentary adult who is not currently exercising, this will be useful.  Interestingly he does advocate kettlebells.

In any case, most of the recommendations are sound.  Also the stretches are effective and the book is very well written. I have added the low back stretches and the shoulder stretches to my current morning warm up.  My back pain has been very well controlled prior to this latest update.  However I seem to operate at a 2/10 pain level all the time which is no big deal.  Since adding about 10 minutes of these stretches however and increasing my omega 3 supplementations I am at a 0-1 level. Not bad. 

For more information on the book and on the Ming Method check out this link:
http://www.permanentpaincure.com

Here is a link to the book on Amazon:  www.amazon.com/Permanent-Pain-Cure-Ming-Chew/dp/007149863X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210985116&sr=1-1

Given the fact that it is Memorial Day I would like to thank all of our military personnel.  These folks have given their lives, health, and service so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.  Thank You!