Banishing Back Pain

A simple, effective and manageable self-help programme, suitable for all ages

Do you feel frustrated because your back/neck pain never quite settles down, or relief after treatment is only temporary?

Does it feel as though you have tried everything but nothing seems to work and you have been told to ’just live with it’?

Based on the author’s personal experience of recurrent back/neck pain and the knowledge gleaned over a 40 year physiotherapy career, this book may well be what you have been searching for.

Get your Copy

A simple, effective and manageable self-help programme, suitable for all ages

Do you feel frustrated because your back/neck pain never quite settles down, or relief after treatment is only temporary?

Does it feel as though you have tried everything but nothing seems to work and you have been told to ’just live with it’?

Based on the author’s personal experience of recurrent back/neck pain and the knowledge gleaned over a 40 year physiotherapy career, this book may well be what you have been searching for.

Get your Copy

Turn your life right around with just 4 basic exercises and modifying your everyday habits

DISCLAIMER

The exercises and advice in this video series are designed to be undertaken in conjunction with the book Banishing Back Pain. Whilst all due care has been taken in creating these videos, the presenter and publisher do not accept any liability or responsibility, any loss, damage or injury suffered or incurred as a result of undertaking the exercises or advice in this video series.

Don’t just take our word for it…

I’ve read many books on back pain, but Banishing Back Pain by Valentyna is the first one that truly feels doable and empowering. Drawing on decades of her physiotherapy work and her own personal recovery, she offers a clear, practical plan that anyone can follow. There’s no fluff here—just real, functional advice and a few key exercises that fit into your daily life.

The standout feature? The photographs. They’re beautifully clear and refreshingly simple, showing real bodies doing real movements. No over-styled poses here—just effective guidance that helps you understand exactly what to do and how to do it safely. It makes the program feel approachable, not intimidating.

What I love most is how grounded and reassuring her approach is. It doesn’t rely on fads or complicated routines, just smart, mindful movement and small changes that make a big difference. Whether you’re just starting to experience discomfort or have struggled for years, this book can genuinely help.

Highly recommended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Robyne Greer

Goodreads Review
Banishing Back Pain: Relief is Within Reach

This book is such a great combination of knowledge and practice. It clearly explains why and how people get that nagging lower back and neck pain, so it helps you to understand your own physiology. But it also provides some fantastic common sense advice on how to change your habits – and why you should – to improve your flexibility and minimise/eliminate back pain.
Who knew that the simple repetitive actions associated with being right handed can mount up and cause back pain.
What I really liked about the book is that it is written in an easy to understand style, it has really clear diagrams and illustrations and it gives you some simple practical tips to ease the unbalanced strains on your body.
This is definitely one to read, then keep and refer to from time to time. You will remember to reach for it in your bookshelf with your left hand 🙂

Michèle Nardelli

Goodreads Review of original book
Left of Centre: Turn Your Life Right Around

This book is written in clear, ordinary language which can be easily understood by non medical people. The use of photos are a really helpful visual aid. The exercise videos are brilliantly demonstrated, really well explained and narrated with clarity at a careful pace. It is the first time in 40 years of back and shoulder pain that I understand why I am in pain and best of all, I am now successfully turning my life around by using these exercises and adopting new, healthy habits in the way I move. Thank you Valentyna!!!!

Christine Hodgen

Goodreads Review of original book

Left of Centre: Turn Your Life Right Around

Valentyna’s book is the result of long experience, practised observation and accurate diagnosis. The book is easy to read and the exercises simple to understand and follow, while producing encouraging results.
Improved health and reduced pain are great incentives to continue a regime which I can personally recommend.

Glenys

Goodreads Review of original book

Left of Centre: Turn Your Life Right Around

I must admit as a natural sceptic that I thought this would be just another book of exercises but having now been using the advice given for a couple of months I can vouch for its effectiveness. I feel stronger and more flexible and people say I’m looking taller!
Text is well written and easy to follow, with clear pictures to demonstrate the various exercises.
Highly recommended.

Andrew Hogg

Goodreads Review of original book

Left of Centre: Turn Your Life Right Around

Green Hill Publishing · Valentyna's Interview with Coast FM

Meet the practitioner behind the programme

VALENTYNA SOLOWIJ

B APP SC PHYSIO, M APP SC PHYSIO (ORTHO)

Valentyna graduated with a physiotherapy degree from the South Australian Institute of Technology in 1981. Further study at the University of South Australia led to a Master of Applied Science in Physiotherapy (Orthopaedics) in 1991. During this time, Valentyna was strongly influenced by David S Butler (theory and research on adverse mechanical tension of the nervous system) and Mark Jones (clinical reasoning). These teachings assisted in the development of her theory regarding the role of Functional Scoliosis (FS) in chronic low back pain and the FS self-management protocol.

Due to the ongoing physical, psychological and financial costs on not only back pain sufferers, but also their families and the community in general, Valentyna is passionate about educating and empowering people to take back control over their bodies and pain. She hopes this book may bring you the answers that you have been seeking.

Blog

‘Have book – will travel…’ Travel tips for minimising back and neck pain on arrival

by Valentyna Solowij | Oct 14, 2025 | Advice, Back pain, Neck pain, Travel

There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination with back or neck pain, before you have even begun your holiday! Here are some tips, based on the 'use your left hand and turn to the right' protocol, that can help you arrive ready to hit the ground running : -...

Did you know that your neck and back pain are probably interrelated?

by Valentyna Solowij | Sep 30, 2025 | Advice, Back pain, Chronic Pain, Neck pain

In my experience, there is a connection between chronic neck and low back pain. Trying to improve neck posture without dealing with any torsional forces lower down the spine, is like trying to straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa without addressing the foundation. In...