The human race has suffered from lower back problems throughout its history. Most scientists think it has a great deal to do with the evolution of man. As a species we are in the process of adjusting to standing erect and, as a consequence, our bodies put a tremendous strain on the lower back. If our arms were still front legs, or used as the ape uses his arms for occasional support, we'd have fewer back problems. Because we do stand erect, with the weight of the entire upper part of the body exerting its force (weight) on the lower 10 inches of our spine, we will have to learn to deal with lower back pains.

Some religious people feel that evolution is psuedo-science and that we were created as we are now. Your religious beliefs, or lack of them, will having nothing to do with the successful application of this technique.

My personal belief in a higher power has a lot to do with me writing this material. After discovering this technique and working with it for three years, I became so enthused, so convinced that I was onto a life changing method of manipulating the back, especially the lower back, I HAD to put this material into printed form and offer it to other sufferers. To not do so would be to violate a trust that had somehow, for some reason, become mine. I truly believe that this technique will be responsible for an incredible improvement in the quality of life for many, many millions of people. To violate this trust is unthinkable. This technique must be made public. Those who will profit from it must be given the opportunity to use it.

The Von Latta Technique is new and totally different. It is experimental and, as of now, untested on the general population. We must put this technique through the test of multiple application and determine its overall worth...to find out if it will allow YOU to take charge of your lower back and, by manipulating, adjust muscle and bone to provide relief and freedom from the incapacitating nature of a bad lower back.

What do we mean when we say, "Bad lower back?" The spine is, in general terms, a column of bones, one on top of the other, separated by cushioning discs. Through the middle of this column runs the spinal cord. Surrounding this column is an assortment of muscles and tendons. These muscles and tendons are exerting tremendous forces on the spine, not only to keep it in place but, when it is weak, damaged or prone to misalignment, these forces can actually pull one or more of the bones of the spine out of alignment. A misalignment can occur if the back is suddenly exposed to unexpected pressure such as a twist, turn or bend. Misalignment can also occur when the muscles and tendons of the back are subjected to an unaccustomed amount of strain. Most sports and work related back injuries occur because of this tendency of the lower back to become misaligned when subjected to unexpected or unnatural stress or strain.

There are many ways to suffer a misaligned back. For some people it is almost a daily occurrence. For most, an occasional setback. For a lucky few, a rare or absent event.

I have had a bad back for twenty years. I have suffered to such an extent that I would beg people to "crack my back". I have even said, to reluctant friends who knew nothing at all about back adjustments, "Please, let me tell you how to do it ... then do it! I don't care if you don't konw what you're doing. I'm in PAIN and I have to try to relieve the pain regardless of the dangers." Perhaps you have done something similar. If not, perhaps you've thought it. Something like, "Please, God, anything to end this pain."

Well, fellow sufferers, this might well be it for you. This might be the answer to that prayer. Of course, I can't promise that it is. All you can do is move forward, if you decide to, and through the application of this new technique, determine if it is going to help YOU. Since this is a new technique, be aware of what's occurring in your own body as you develop and progress in this program. Show restraint and keep records so you'll know, to the greatest possible degree, how you are doing and how much good you are receiving from the application of this technique.

Because we will be dealing with an experimental, never generally tested technique, I would recommend that those of you with actual physical damage to your back read this and then talk to your doctor before actually beginning these exercises. If there is any doubt at all in your mind about your ability to handle this program either now, before actually starting, or at any time during the application of the Von Latta Technique, please, consult your physician. Show him this book. Explain the technique and follow his advise about discontinuing, continuing, or continuing with modifications. It might be possible to overdo this technique. Personally, after more than three years of persistent application of this technique I have only praise for it...and do recommend it to all my friends and relatives with back problems. Those who have tried it feel as I do. It has worked for every one of them. It has dramatically improved the quality of their lives.

Since we are exploring the potential of this NEW and EXCITING program together, you must keep records of your sessions so you'll know if you are actually progressing...or if there is just the illusion of progress as you do gain a certain, magical sort of control over your spine. Enclosed in this material will be a description of how to set up your own calendar for effective recordkeeping. As a part of your own personal understanding of how this technique is affecting you, please, do keep ongoing records. Along with the calendar, I recommend that you keep a notebook with an ongoing account of all information you consider pertinent. That way you will be able to have a reference source for future judgements and for cross-referencing information. This will assist you as you progress and will allow you to share successes, developments and even failures with the rest of us. Send information you consider important to me and, as a part of the initial cost of joining this program, I will compile such information as needed and share it with our fellow sufferers. We will be learning together.

At this time, I believe this program should be used with some regularity. You should experience some pain as you do these exercises and the muscles relax and the vertebrae of the back realign. At the end of a five minute session the pain will have been reduced or, perhaps, eliminated. At each session's end you will feel the positive effects of the technique. There may be considerable pain when you first start because you will be dealing with strained muscles, misaligned bones and sore discs. When I start a session my efforts will cause immediate pain in the problem areas. Each problem area will experience its own pain as I apply pressure directed at that area. If my back is "out" and not just sore, I'll feel a definite "click" or "snap" as the misaligned vertebrae is realigned. The first time this happens to you, you'll want to shout with joy. This "adjustment" often occurs after going through a series of exercises several times. As I move through the technique the pain will diminish. During the last few minutes ofa session there should be a marvelous sensation of release and you should experience a rejuvenating sense of physical mastery...you should feel the beginning of the end of your incapacitating back problems.

We are not doing magic so do not look for a complete and total reversal of a lifelong problem. What you will experience is a new degree fo control over the terrible pain that you have had to deal with for so long. To totally eliminate the problem would be like true magic and yet I have no doubt that some folks will actually experience such magic and end their back problems with this technique.

A friend said, "If Ralph Nader could get a hearing with God he could, because of the universality of man's lower back problems, demand and get a recall of the human race." Since the problems in the lower back may originate with the species standing on its back legs, thereby exerting undue pressure on a weak area, we'll probably not experience complete and permanent relief. My personal experience has been the absence of persistent incapacitating pain. When I apply the Von Latta Technique, I KNOW I'll be better...AND I ALWAYS AM!