Right from the start you will begin to reap the benefits you so desire, need and deserve. If you work at this program you will recognize substantial progress right from the start, regardless of the lack of perfection in your personal technique. As you become more proficient in the Perfect Pyramid, your expectations will be more generously realized. So fellow sufferers, as in life, the harder you work the more personal success you'll experience.

Now to the specifics of the Von Latta Technique.

Lie on your back with your body straight. IF you are doing this on a water bed you need not use a pillow. If you are doing it on a regular mattress, place a soft, flat pillow or pad beneath your hips. (As a special service to those doing the Von Latta Technique on a regular mattress or hard surface, we have developed a specifically designed exercise pillow - velcro strips on one side, velour on the other side and filled with nodules that act as ball bearings - ordering information is at the end of the book.) Now pull your feet up attempting to place your feet sole to sole (fig. 5). If you are unable to obtain this position, work up to it by utilizing the Modified Pyramid (figs. 6, 7, and 8). Concentrate on relaxing the lower part of your body. Your feet resting against each other or against the bed or wall will allow you to manipulate your back by exerting a downward force. Place your hands on your hips, thumbs up, fingers under the hips and push towards your feet using your elbows as a pivot point, resting your weight on your elbows. (fig. 10). Start this exercise with your hands placed as high on your hips as you can place them. Relax your lower body and begin to exert a downward force using only the muscles of your upper back and arms. What you will be doing is contriving, with positioning and a relaxed lower body, a very effective application of traction. Now move your hands three inches lower on your legs and exert the downward pressure again. Continue to move your hands downward, three inches at a time, exerting pressure each three inches, until you have your hands as low on your thighs as you can put them and still exert a force. (fig. 11). All Pyramid type exercises will be built on this series of moves.