A Consultation With the Back Doctor

The latest advice from the original bestselling Back Doctor

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Hamilton Hall wrote the book that changed the way back-pain sufferers deal with their affliction. In The Back Doctor, he advocated activity instead of bed rest. In place of braces and girdles, he suggested that patients follow a program of specific exercise. Most of all, he took the mystery out of back pain.

Three out of four Canadian adults, and an increasing number of children, suffer some form of back discomfort. They make up a huge and lucrative market for unscrupulous practitioners. New treatments – new drugs, new devices, and supposedly new, high-tech therapies – are advertised daily. New controversies, such as a recent scare about chiropractic neck manipulation, find their way into newspaper headlines. A Consultation with the Back Doctor is Dr. Hall’s response to these and other developments.

This is a completely new book. It is written, like its predecessors, in an informal, easy-to-understand question-and-answer format. Readers will come away with a sound understanding of their condition and a practical course of action to make it better.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs