BookSurge Publishing. 
http://www.onestopkneeshop.com/

Human beings depend on their knees for survival. Without them, humans cannot walk, run from danger, rush to greet a loved won, easily stand up from a sitting or prone position, or easily sit down. Humans often cannot work without healthy knees, and cannot enjoy recreational activities. Maneuvering in and out of a theater seat is tricky – so is playing basketball. People cannot drive a car standing up, but they might be able to get hold of a step van in which stand-up driving is the norm. Life would be at least difficult. One answer to locomotion problems could be the Segway transporter, but how would someone with locked knees climb onto it? They might jump, stiff-legged, the take off and landing shocking the ankle and hip joints. This would create pain and erode the joints more quickly than if the person possessed knees that worked. Without healthy knees, there is the danger of immobility and the inability to make a living. Without healthy knees, life may be cut short.

Jack E. Jensen, M.D. explains to us in The One Stop Knee Shop that knees awesomely absorb a lot of abuse, but most continue to function. After 20 years as an orthopedic surgeon treating knee injuries among athletes, Dr. Jensen understands both the simplicity of construction and the complexity of achievements provided by the knee. In his rightly named introduction, “The Miracle Knee”, he describes the physical properties of the knee and some of the symbolism it has spurred. He also discusses knees of early epochs, including those of the ancient amphibian Eryops. The very knee is an archive of history and a museum within itself. However, best thing the doctor accomplishes is to bring understanding to us and respect to the wonder-joint from us knee owners.  

The One Stop Knee Shop is straightforward and logically organized for easy understanding. The anatomical descriptions and medical terminology are clear. It is not targeted strictly to pro athletes or other physicians, but to anyone that can benefit from its useable knowledge. Athletes, doctors, and the public will find it useful, and parents might use its information to instruct their children in knee health for life. In fact, Olympic Coach Bela Karolyi and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker recommend the book highly for everyone.

is straightforward and logically organized for easy understanding. The anatomical descriptions and medical terminology are clear. It is not targeted strictly to pro athletes or other physicians, but to anyone that can benefit from its useable knowledge. Athletes, doctors, and the public will find it useful, and parents might use its information to instruct their children in knee health for life. In fact, Olympic Coach Bela Karolyi and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walkerrecommend the book highly for everyone.The book chapters include “Promoting Knee Conditioning and Injury Prevention, Fueling Your Body’s Performance, Troubleshooting Common Knee Problems,  When You Have Arthritis, When You Need Surgery, Mind-Body Connections and Knee Health: Alternative, or Complementary, Medicine; and Maintaining Balance.” While physical rehab centers – and I have worked in the Health Psychology Department of some - may need long weeks and months in order to train their patients in these important lessons. Happily, Dr. Jensen presents them together at once in a superb knee-owner’s manual and rehab centers could benefit from keeping several copies on hand.

Anyone contemplating sports for themselves or their children should read this book prior to signing up. I wish that it had been available long ago, because I sprained one knee on a trampoline and experienced annoying effects from that injury for years. I later began an exercise program and the knee was cured after a year or so. However, if I had had Dr. Jensen’s manual then, The One Stop Knee Shop would have reduced that time and helped me gain more from the exercise. Is it exceedingly useful to me today as well, both in my own exercise and in my instruction of martial arts students. The diagrams of recommended stretches are some of the best I have seen, easy to follow and quite clear. They have provided me with additional stretches that work and the book has offered me information of many kinds that I can apply successfully.

In addition Dr. Jensen also discusses examples such as the famous case of Norman Cousins, who seemed to cure himself of degenerative arthritis through laughter, Vitamin C, healthy diet, and a strong belief that he would improve. The belief was the strongest medicine in his regimen, one seen in cultures around the world. His example is used in rehab centers to give patients hope and stimulate their own belief in improvement. Dr. Jensen provides other examples like Cousins’ and they are all intriguing. The mind and the belief system of a human being are truly as large a miracle as is the knee joint.

Among the valuable chapters, alternative sorts of treatments are outlined, such as music therapy (very effective in my experience), prayer (effective in many conditions), massage, biofeedback, neuromuscular therapy (deep pressure massage), acupressure (works for me), laughter (also works for me), and several others. From this list, most people will find more than one to be compatible with their own belief system and worldview while providing improvement. Whether you believe in the Great Spirit of my Mohawk ancestors, Christ, Lord Krishna, yin and yang, humanity itself, or nothing at all, something in this list must certainly help you either to mediate current pain or prevent future pain and ill health by some measure. The practical advice on weight, exercise, rest, and collaborating with your physicians will simply add that much more to the whole. This is a remarkable book and I have been pleased to experience it.

Patty Inglish, MS

9^th dan Black Belt Grandmaster, US Representative to the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa Zone-3, New International Jidokwan Federation, Ji Do Kwan™ Christian Martial Arts International, Nigeria Taekwondo Foundation75.