Book excerpt: This book is designed to be an overview of spinal anatomy and pathology as well as a perusal of examination, diagnosis, and treatment techniques. Although it is a new work, it uses information published previously in Europe. The purpose is to provide an overview of spinal orthopedic medicine emphasizing manual treatment techniques. With the enormity of spinal pathology seen in physical therapy, additions to spinal assessment and treatment techniques are most worthy objectives. The authors successfully add valuable information to a field already served by a plethora of literature. The authors have directed their effort toward any clinician who encounters or will encounter people with pain from their temporomandibular joint to their sacrum. The information is diverse, specific, and technical enough to be useful to any level or practitioner. This book has numerous pertinent illustrations. They include anatomical and biomechanical drawings, CT and radiographic pictures, as well as cadaver and model photographs to demonstrate every aspect of the author's diverse subject. There are adequate numbers of references to complement the illustrations. Although the references are sometimes dated from the first half of this century, the authors have added chapters on specific research. Besides an adequate table of contents and index, this book provides separate, thorough tables of contents before each chapter. Additionally, there are seven extra chapters dealing with topics from prevention to exercise to the use of modalities. There are also four appendixes that help to consolidate diagnosis and treatment. This work is a meticulously thorough study of problems of the entire spinal cord.Although there is an emphasis on manual treatment techniques, other treatment strategies are adequately discussed. Additionally, the authors have thoroughly reviewed the underlying biomechanical causes for the back pain that is so pervasive in the orthopedic patient population.