McGill Method Certified Practitioner | In-Person Assessment at PRS HQ
ABOUT THE MCGILL METHOD
A McGill Method Certified Practitioner is a professional and highly trained expert. They specialize in assisting clients in reducing the risk of disabling low back pain and injury, optimizing their health outcomes, and enhancing their performance. Their deep understanding of corrective/therapeutic and performance enhancement exercises, tailored to each client’s unique needs, ensures a comprehensive approach to your care. Their range of techniques to reduce pain further underscores their expertise.
Brian Carroll’s expertise is not just a claim but a testament to his unique opportunity to learn, coach, and see clients alongside Prof. McGill, the co-author of ‘Gift of Injury,’ over the past decade-plus. This unparalleled experience has equipped him to teach courses and seminars worldwide, offering invaluable insights to aid others in their recovery from back injuries. Brian is not a medical Doctor and does not offer medical advice. He advocates for you and is a consultant for your recovery and training plan, using the wisdom and experience he has gained from his recovery and the hundreds of clients he has personally consulted and helped. Brian offers no guarantee of success but only his best efforts.
For those interested in an in-person McGill Assessment at PRS HQ (Jacksonville, FL), here are the steps:
- First, read Back Mechanic and Gift of Injury: The video-enhanced version of Back Mechanic is ideal for visual learners and provides a comprehensive understanding of self-assessing pain triggers and building a foundation for pain-free activity. This approach has successfully helped 95% of patients avoid surgery. For a motivational boost and real-world application, consider Gift of Injury, which delves into overcoming severe back injuries and returning to the sport or goal of choice, as Brian Carroll experienced in 2013.
- Book a 30-minute Virtual Consultation FIRST. Even those who want to see Brian in person must first book a 30-minute Virtual Consultation to rule out all red flags and ensure that you have already started working on winding down your pain through Back Mechanic before coming to see Brian at PRS HQ.
- Unfortunately, people with complex injuries or who struggle with remote learning will need an in-person assessment for progressions or a hands-on evaluation. Each client is unique; some may require surgical intervention or specialized therapy referrals. The 30-minute virtual consultation will help Brian understand which direction to go. We have a network of professionals and will do our best to help if we are not a good fit.
- For more information, please see the FAQ page, hit the Red Contact Brian button, or Email Brian here: Brian@PowerRackStrength.com for questions, concerns, or after-hours care or consulting. Brian will do his best to cater to your needs.
What is included in an in-person McGill assessment with Brian Carroll?
- Identify the cause of back pain: A full assessment of your pain generators – postures, loads, exercises, and movements that cause you pain, as shown in Back Mechanic. Many times, there can be multiple contributing factors causing pain.
- Remove the cause of back pain: Brian then teaches you how to ‘avoid the cause’ or causes of your pain with customized postures and movement strategies for your specific life requirements, i.e., how to get out of bed, tie your shoes, and generally how to avoid your pain triggers to let your back pain wind down, desensitize and heal.
- Custom exercise program: Brian then uses the information gathered to create a custom therapeutic exercise program to help you work toward your goals again with specialized exercises, movements, and postures that don’t cause you pain.
- Brian also shows you how to execute ALL prescribed exercises with pristine form, including progressions and regressions (when necessary). You should bring your partner or friend to record the assessment’s coaching aspects.
- A full report will be emailed to you post-assessment, including all findings and the suggested steps. Timing, dosage, and the exercises/positions suggested to use and to avoid. His thoughts on your overall recovery are included in this report. As well as any other suggestions he may have through his experience with his back injury recovery, as documented in Gift of Injury.
Book An In-Person McGill Method Assessment
- Location: Power Rack Strength HQ
- Address: 1302 Eastport Road Unit B Jacksonville, FL 32218
- Airport: 10 minutes away from JIA (Jacksonville International Airport)
USD 799.99 ($399 per hour paid upfront to secure an appointment). Please note: This is half the total price paid upfront (or less, depending on circumstance). The remaining balance is due upon service delivery. Some assessments are over in 2 hours, while others are closer to 4 hours. Most assessments average 3hr.
One-on-one McGill method in-person assessment as described on Backfitpro.com: “A McGill Method Certified Practitioner has training in assisting clients in reducing the risk of disabling low back pain and injury, optimizing their health outcomes and enhancing their performance. The McGill Method Certified Practitioner has studied how to use history-taking and movement assessment information better to match corrective/therapeutic and performance-enhancement exercises. They will also have been exposed to nuances of technique to reduce a client’s pain.”
Please email for pricing and clarifications: Brian@PowerRackStrength.com
2hr In person one-on-one coaching with Brian Carroll
Location: PRS HQ Jax, FL
$499.99 USD
Anyone looking for hands-on coaching for the big-3 lifts, program design, exercise execution, programming progressions, form checks, etc. I do it all but in a minimum of 120min blocks.
BACK PAIN TESTIMONIALS
"Brian’s coaching will be a game changer in your life. First off, I will say that anyone who chooses Brian will not only come away with more tools to manage their back injury but will also be a wiser person about their physical health in general. As Brian says, “I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you this.” He truly wants to help and share his knowledge. He will give you the tools to control your pain and start healing. As someone who had been to countless physical therapists and pain management clinics, Brian was the only one who truly helped me and showed me that there was hope for the future. Thanks Brian"
"Brian went to school with my Dad in the 90s and they are good friends. My entire family has a history of back pain, myself not removed. I am now a senior in high school, playing football pain-free on both sides of the ball, and I hope to play on the next level. Last year, after working with Brian during our initial session, my max bench was around 225; just this weekend, I benched my first 275 lbs! Thank you, Brian!"
"I had the opportunity to work with Brian Carrolll for most of 2023. In 2019, I blew my back out after a deadlift and was in agony. After a trip to the ER and seeing specialists for years, In June of 2023, I saw Brian for an in-person assessment. Brian Carroll is the first person to have ever given me an actual assessment and determined and taught me about the cause or causes of my pain. As I have transitioned back to doing my own training, I am now back to competitive powerlifting and understand my limitations and the traps I fell into setting world records and understand the parameters Brian outlined for me. Brian is one of the best in the field."
"After a serious car accident, I met Brian about 12 years ago. We both worked as massage therapists and I have seen Brian's transition into a back specialist shortly thereafter, but first as someone helping lifters, then gen-pop and athletes all over the world. Brian has taught me a great deal about back pain, and as a Massage Therapist and a Physical Therapist, Brian has helped me with my training and pain, and we have also shared many clients/patients together. Brian offers a unique service for failed back cases; I've sat in on assessments, have helped him with them, and know this is the real deal. I suggest all of my back-pained clients see Brian Carroll in Jacksonville, FL."
"My sports history is one of eclectic taste. At one point in my younger days, I served many masters. I have devoted my life to exploring physically demanding contact sports and some of the most competitive Strength Sports in the world. Kickboxing, rugby, powerlifting, strongman, I did it all. Then, my back failed me, as did so many other people in the medical industry, treating me with cookie-cutter approaches. At first, I was hesitant to work with Brian because I was afraid of letting go of my sport, and I knew the discipline required on this path would be unlike anything I had faced before. I now sit in the driver’s seat of my comeback into Strongman as I seek to return to the national stage, compete at the world level, and fight for the state title. None of these would have been possible without Brian’s calculated training, stern weekly conversations, and what he would call my “Gift of Injury." UPDATE: Six years later, I have competed successfully in strongman, bodybuilding, and highland games while maintaining a pain-free life."
"I was into boxing my whole life. I had to be destroyed physically before I could admit what I was doing wasn't working. My career as a soldier didn't help either. Eventually, the pain ended my career in the army, along with the depression. Before your guidance, I was in constant pain and unable to walk without a cane! 2015-17 shots quit working at all. Horrible pain. Very depressed. Now I walk again, just about every day! I often walk for extended periods over 45 minutes with minimal pain. I also do various exercises, work on ladders, work down low on the ground occasionally, and more. Thank you and McGill for giving me a lot of my life back."
"I tell everyone I can if you have back issues, contact Brian. He does a super thorough assessment with you and understands what your back needs. I was in pain for a few years after two failed surgeries. Since I started working with Brian, my nerve pain has diminished totally, and I feel strong physically. I'm so thankful!"
"Before I met Brian and learned about spine hygiene, I was hunched over my shopping cart and miserable due to back pain. After meeting Brian and following his plan, I am working toward my first 400-lb bench at 50 years young, PAINFREE. "
"I met Brian four years ago during the pandemic when I started having back pain. Brian showed me how to live and not let back pain prevent me from enjoying life. Over the last four years, Brian has continued to coach and consult me with my lifting progressions as we have done a complete rebuild. In 2023, I benched my first 405lb raw with Brian's help. I recently competed in my first powerlifting meet, pulling 550lb! Thank you, Brian! "
"I’m a 50-year-old former powerlifter and strongman competitor. I first hurt my lower back when I was a senior in high school playing baseball. I was trying to beat a throw to first base and felt something pop in my lower back when I stepped on the base. A couple of years ago, I bought Gift of Injury and Back Mechanic and “loosely followed the instructions” and found a little relief, but not enough to matter. In April 2021, I reached out to Brian because I saw a video of him squatting 1306 and thought, how in the world is that possible with the damage I had read about that his back had? After our phone consultation, he had me doing big 3 two times a day and religiously walking three times a day, along with telling me I had to change my movement patterns, stop squatting and deadlifting, and let the pain settle, which was probably the hardest thing I had done in a long time. A few weeks later, I went to Jacksonville, and Brian did a full hands-on assessment and gave me a game plan, which I followed to the letter the best I could. It’s been almost a year, and after continuing to move well and doing the big 3 along with walking, suitcase carries, etc. I honestly have a core of iron. I am back to squatting and deadlifting heavy again with no pain, which is a miracle. Brian’s guidance has changed my life because I just figured that low back pain was what I had to look forward to for the rest of my life. After all, the chiropractor said I had degenerative disk disease, which I’ve learned is not true at all. Thank you so much. Also, I'm already back to walking with the 700-lb yolk, Pulling 600 with no pain whatsoever, and squatting 550lb raw. I can tell you this—I never expected to squat over 500 again or ever be pain-free, for that matter! "
"I had a McGill Assessment done after years of researching/reading/listening as much as possible about the McGill Method. I can only say that everything was as expected! After years of back pain, I never felt like I had real direction in my life on genuinely getting better. Nine months later, I've been able to PREVENT flairs from coming on! It has been a life-changing experience for me. If you ever feel hopeless with back pain, I can't recommend going to see Brian. I've recently started a business to pursue my true passion, and that wouldn't be possible if I had never seen him. I am grateful to have my life and my body back!"
"Brian is extremely professional, and I appreciate his willingness to work with my schedule, be straightforward with me, and, most importantly, not give black-and-white answers. I have come to appreciate the McGill method because while it is based on principles, there is a ton of strategy involved, as all of us have our own pain triggers we have to work around with jobs, training, and our daily lives. Brian covers this in our sessions. I know that I am still in the early stages of rebuilding my back and have not healed, but I 100% believe in the McGill Method and Brian's professional guidance. Update edit* I am back to lifting; squatting and deadlifting are pain-free!"
"It was about a year ago on a cold morning when my back pain started to go off the rails after "tweaking" my back on a heavy set of squats. I was frustrated and could not understand what I had been doing wrong, so I reached out to Brian. I was familiar with his books and the work he had done with Dr. Stuart McGill, and I knew I needed a professional's guidance. Brian and I had a few virtual sessions where he outlined an excellent plan to get out of pain. Once the pain had mostly subsided, I decided to have an in-person session with Brian, where he gave me a full assessment and outlined a plan for rebuilding what I had broken. I've not had a relapse in back pain since, and I owe it all to Brian's coaching and guidance. If you're considering reaching out to him, do it. You won't regret it! Update Edit* I am back to lifting pain-free."
"Brian’s coaching will be a game-changer in your life. First off, I will say that anyone who chooses Brian will not only come away with more tools to manage their injury but will also be a wiser person about their physical health in general. As Brian says, “I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you this.” He truly just wants to help and share his knowledge. He will give you the tools to control your pain and start healing. As someone who had been to countless physical therapists and pain management clinics, Brian was the only one who indeed helped me and showed me that there was hope for the future. Thanks, Brian!"
"At first, I just watched Brian's (beneficial) YouTube videos, but I decided to take the plunge and hire him to coach me. It was the BEST decision. I zoom with him every couple of weeks for a half an hour. He has created a personalized PT program for me that is evolving as I heal. He has also coached me through big life changes that involve sitting and using my back more than usual--recently, I moved states, AND my husband had a big hip surgery. Thanks to Brian, I've been able to tackle those challenges while preserving the healing gains I've made to my back. I cannot say enough good things about him. I have been to many doctors and physical therapists, and none of them have been able to provide me with a sensible, step-by-step plan to help me heal my back. Thankfully, Brian has!! I highly recommend his coaching!!!"
"I have been working with Brian for about a year now. I’ve had daily back pain with two herniated discs for several years, and about 3 to 4 times a year, I would pull my back out and be down for three or four days. I started working with Brian and read his book Gift of Injury. Within a couple of weeks of following Brian’s instructions on daily movements and doing the exercises he instructed me to do, I was almost pain-free. After a couple of months, I was pain-free with just a little pain in the mornings. Working with Brian has completely changed my outlook about my back. I pretty much just convinced myself that I would not be able to function or do things I used to be able to do anymore because of my back issues. Now I am confident that as long as I continue to follow Brian‘s instructions and training I will not be hindered from doing certain things because of my back."
"Brian gave me a lot of inner strength during my rehab. He coached me towards perfecting my McGill-3 and taking other precautions to stop "picking the scab," so my lower back and neck could heal. As a result, I can start my body-building journey—my best days are ahead of me."
"The words Thank You do not say enough for an excellent training experience! Your professionalism and passion are extraordinary. As a former powerlifter and having my son, a collegiate powerlifter, training with you was an enriching experience. We were genuinely impressed with your ability to translate all your years of technical expertise on the lifts into an understandable and immediately usable application. Your coaching enabled my son to easily set two new PRs, each of 50+ pounds, during our incredible time together! Thank you for your valuable insights and advice on nutrition, recovery, and back rehabilitation. Your “10/20/Life” principles and “Gift of Injury” have enabled me to resume Powerlifting after thinking all was lost after nearly 25 years. Your techniques and coaching have allowed me to deadlift again and squat while maintaining a healthy and resilient back. Lastly, thank you for giving back to the Powerlifting community. My son and I feel blessed to have met such a knowledgeable, passionate, and approachable person. We look forward to continuing our training together. You are one of a kind, my man!"
Brian saved my writing career by helping me overcome chronic back pain after all other options had failed. His holistic approach also helped me with the psychological and mindset issues that come with back pain. He’s a master at his craft and pays attention to the slightest details that become leverage points to progress and sustainability. He also got me back to cycling, which I thought impossible. Above all, he’s an all-around great person and a pleasure to work with.
I've been working on my back injury with Brian since December 2023, and I must admit I never felt my back as good as I do now. I actually traveled to Florida for an in-person assessment and so far we've kept working online.. I'm basically pain free on a daily basis, although I know I might/might not even be half way through 100% recovery, results have been tremendous so far. Brian is very knowledgeable on this matter, and he will guide you and answer every question with precise details of the why, when, and how of things... I can't imagine what it is for me in the following months if I'm already feeling amazing five months into rehab... For all backpained people worldwide, if you are genuinely into getting healed, you must understand that any sacrifice is worth doing... You will have to do it sooner or later; the sooner, the better. I couldn't be more grateful to Brian for these first five months in my back rehab. I want to mention that I'm a competitive powerlifter, strongman, and martial artist. I can't wait for what's coming in the following months for my back!
Brian has been great. I wish I had seen him sooner; we may have been able to prevent things from getting worse. After following him and Stu for several years, I finally did a virtual consult with him this year and made a trip to Jacksonville for the in-person assessment. He was a pleasure to work with and treated my wife well. He has also been very generous with his time, and I appreciate how he included my wife in the process. I will be having surgery soon and will continue to work with Brian through my recovery.
Brian offered what the literature and papers could not: feedback. Brian improved and tailored the program I had started on my own (after reading the two books) by modifying the rep schemes, exercise frequencies and selection, workout timings, etc. Additionally, although we only met virtually, he was able to coach me on the big 3 and some other movements to ensure proper execution. Having someone listen to your story, provide feedback on current progress, and share personal experiences with similar troubles/successes proved vital to my recovery. Not many people can relate to the kind of debilitating back injury that I, and others, have had to face and overcome, but Brian is one of the few who can. Although I am not (yet) at 100%, my progress trend over time has been positively linear and I am confident that I will come back stronger than before.
During jujitsu training, I injured my lower back (severe L4/L5 herniation). As a member of the US military special operations community, I got advice from medical support personnel familiar with acute athletic injuries who suggested sports physical therapy. After 2-3 weeks of conventional sports therapy, the back pain began to radiate into my glute, hip flexor, and quadriceps, and I noticed pronounced atrophy of the mid quad. Not only was i not getting better but I was getting worse. After a few minutes online with Brian, I knew I was in good hands with someone who understood my mindset and how to deal with athletes, and I immediately decided to fly down to Florida. Brian's demeanor and professionalism assured me I was in the right place. He took his time and answered every question I had. I was able to get out of pain and become functional again. Most helpful was Brian explaining to me that each case was unique and that recovery is not linear. He made me understand it takes time and not to rush into failure or reinjury, which I had done so many times in the past. I am now mission-ready, have been recently promoted, and made it through yet another selection at 57 years old!
I’m a police officer, and your book, Gift Of Injury, saved my life. I’m 42 now; I had lower back issues in my late 20s from heavy lifting and wrestling… I overcame that and always made warm-up, movement prep, stretching, etc, a big priority. Then, right around the time I hit 40, I had the standard L5 S1 back pain that took its toll on my training and daily life. I’m a police officer in our emergency service unit (SWAT/HEAVY RESCUE) and a dad of two young, very active, athletic boys, so the pain, lack of movement, and explosiveness became a total mind f@&k... All of the epidurals, movement research, and decompression didn’t work. I got a hold of your book, thoroughly read it, and practiced it all. It was life-changing. I have zero pain and can move, explode, squat/deadlift, and wrestle! Anyone currently with lower back pain or who doesn’t even want to go down that road of debilitating back issues should read and study this book. Any athlete or person on a regular fitness/strength training routine will benefit from this material. This book is the real deal, legit, easy to follow, and couldn’t be any more genuine coming from someone of your immense accomplishments. Thank you,
"When I got injured, I wanted to work with someone who has had a similar experience. Someone who would understand wanting not only pain relief but also recovery and better resilience after the injury. In less than nine months, I was able almost to eliminate all pain and discomfort in regular life. I'm steadily progressing in training, and my back is getting stronger. My recovery has gone very well under Brian's guidance. Brian listens to feedback and applies his knowledge of my unique and specific injury and life. I would recommend Brian to anyone looking for help with back pain, especially those who want to be proactive in their recovery."
“Just as the pandemic hit, a lingering back injury hit an all-time high and there was really no escaping it. I purchased “Gift of Injury” and read the entire thing cover to cover in three days. I soon connected with Brian for a consult/assessment and he immediately offered 1:1 support to dive into my specific injury and determine my pain generators. I was extremely grateful for his assessment, help, advice, and guidance during this tough time in my recovery. Despite the time differences and residing in different countries, he stayed in consistent communication with me and asked for frequent updates to ensure I was staying on the right track. At the start of our work together, we started over only walking and doing the big 3, then soon progressed to carries, then goblet squats with a 14kg kettlebell; fast forward a few months – just last weekend I was able to hit near max lifts once again, but PAIN-FREE and with proper lifting mechanics and form cues I learned from Brian while starting over. I am grateful for the learnings I’ve taken from Brian, you can tell his passion is to help others. By bringing his own experiences to his work makes him even more of a unique coach.”
I am on the road back to thriving in life thanks to Brian. After a BJJ incident, I tried everything on my own to fix the issue. I tried for months with NO progress. I was defeated and worried I would never regain my normal life again. I was contemplating giving up BJJ and lifting. I couldn’t squat or deadlift with an empty barbell. Then enters Brian. He has taken the time to LISTEN to my concerns and has prescribed an ever changing plan that has continue to DELIVER results. This journey is not over but I now have hope for a life where I can continue doing the things I love. By listening to Brian’s advice and not deviating from the plan, I am seeing the fruits of my labor. Brian continues to help me become more resilient, not only with my low back but mentally as well. If you are struggling with a low back issue that is interfering with you living a life where you can thrive. Look no further than Brian for a solution that will give you your power back.
I reached out to Brian in August of 2021 after I went through Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection. My MRI showed a massive herniation between L4-L5, disc degeneration along the whole lumbar spine, with a couple of other less dramatic herniations as you moved up the spine. I had been in pain for years and tried every avenue, including acupuncture, dry needling, chiropractic, massage therapy, medication, traction tables, rest, etc. After Selection, I was going on four months of sleeping 1 hour a night at best while on my hands and knees because that was the only position I didn't have shooting pain down my leg. I was at an all-time low. I reached out to Brian to get his take on what my MRIs and symptoms might mean for my future. I trusted his knowledge and expertise due to following him and Dr. Stu McGill for years while I was powerlifting. He was brutally honest, a breath of fresh air compared to the surgeons I had seen. Unfortunately, my herniation was so bad that I decided to have the surgery, knowing it could end my career in the military. I could take no chances. Post-surgery, I took full advantage of working with Brian. The personalization of his protocol allowed me to finish the rest of the Q course to become a Green Beret. During the course, I was put through a myriad of events that are not in the slightest bit safe for a healthy back, let alone my back that was just operated on. However, Brian was with me every step of the way, adapting our program to meet the needs of the military and my personal goals. This resulted in me exceeding every maximum standard put in place before me. Thanks to his advice and support, I am now a Green Beret with a bright future. He has not only been a great coach but also a great mentor and friend. You won't find another guy like this.
In 2018, I suffered a disc herniation in my lower back, and since then, I have not been able to squat to a functional level. Despite eventually becoming pain-free, working around my farm and property was difficult. I would try to regain my squat depth cautiously but continually induce minor flare-ups and stop pushing. Being a physical therapist, this outcome became frustrating and disheartening. But within 10 minutes of working with Brian, he brought my squat to below 90*, with no pain or the usual strain. I had no idea my hips could do this without my back paying the price. His precise cues and knowledge of how to adjust made this seem effortless. Brian is a master at coaxing out your true potential, all while ensuring you protect your spine. This is invaluable. Thank you, Brian!
I came to Brian in 2021 because every Doctor I went to told me I was done lifting and would never be out of pain. I heard of McGill and Carroll, so I connected with Brian Carroll virtually first, then I flew from Austin, Texas, to see him for a 3-hour assessment in Jacksonville, Fl. Fast forward 1.5 years later, and I am pain-free and now a WBFF Bikini Pro. I appreciate your help, Brian! Thank you for your coaching, guidance and positivity.
Foreword by Bill Kazmaier, 3 time World’s Strongest Man:
“I implore any strength athlete, whether they are injured and at their wit’s end, or healthy and striving to achieve their best with longevity, to read this book. The wisdom in these pages has helped me and Brian Carroll, and it will help you.”
From Pavel Tsatsouline, Chairman, StrongFirst, Inc.:
“Gift of Injury is an extraordinary book that proves the adage that safety is not the opposite of performance but a part of it. Packed with priceless cues, it is a must for every serious strength athlete and coach.“
Hear What Readers Have To Say About Gift of Injury
“As a doctor working out of Pasadena, I have been studying the work of Professor McGill for the past two years. I can say with the credentials and authority of a medical insider that McGill’s teachings are light years ahead of the conventional medical approach. And I can attest to this effect from my own professional experience in the demanding domains of both pain medicine and occupational medicine. I’m now able to consistently restore bad backs with what I learned from Professor McGill’s books and courses. One intriguing aspect of Professor McGill’s clinical practice is his work with elite athletes with low back pain. Many of these athletes have seen “top” spine specialists around the world and been told they had career ending injuries. They are lost–until they find Professor McGill.
The story of Brian Carroll is one such story. It is the story of an improbable comeback from a devastating spine injury. As a world-record setting lifter, Carroll loaded his spine to extremes that boggle the imagination. When a host of injuries and excessive training and competition broke his spine down, the conventional medical establishment said all that was left for him was surgery, athletic retirement and probable lifelong disability. (For the medically inclined: he had a complete fracture of L5 with a deep split fracture in his sacrum.) The journey from that nadir, with Carroll contemplating suicide after a particularly depressing visit to a back surgeon, to his return to a champion lifter again seems miraculous.
Except it’s not a miracle–it’s what happens when science combined with clinical wisdom meets an athlete who who will not give up on the dream. Professor McGill discusses the scientific principles and specific program he used to restore Carroll to elite form. In these pages you will find a story told in alternate parts by McGill and Carroll. It is part memoir of Carroll, part primer for how the McGill method works, part instructional guide for lifting and spine recovery all told through the prism of one man’s injury. It is a story of ambition, loss, healing, friendship and overcoming the odds to become better than you ever were–after you’ve been left for dead. What is the gift of injury? The possibility of resurrection of not just a spine and a career, but of a man. This masterpiece tells you how.”
— Medical Doctor – Pasadena, CA
“It’s a brilliant, fantastic book, one that should be the standard of the fitness industry! It’s a rare book that honestly confronts, analyzes and fixes the athlete. Oh, sure, you can find books with little band stretches, mobility work and some time in the tub, but Stu McGill and Brian Carroll take us inside both the athlete’s and the therapist’s minds. Section Two alone is a book in itself; it is more of a weekend workshop showing what the best and brightest do in their approach to training.
There are so many insights throughout the book, but this little hint really made me think: Brian walked 15 minutes a day with free swinging arms before every meal as part of his back injury fix. It just struck me that this simple point was the culmination of so many tests, discussions and hands on work…and it is so simple, logical, and practical.”
— Dan John
“This book is a must have for all athletes and coaches alike, the best of its kind.”
— Ryan
“If you have suffered from back pain (as I have) and have begun to give up hope of ever getting out of pain then you MUST read this book. If anything, Brian Carroll’s story will give you hope.
The book if chock full of information and ways to take control of your life, back and pain. It’s especially geared towards the powerlifter, but I suspect most athletes can relate and will benefit from the information contained in this book. This is the kind of book you read and wish someone would have put it into your hands years ago!”
— Dan B.
Claudia is back pain-free and currently training to compete in physique
From Claudia:
“I went to see Brian last July (2021). I was in pain (low back) for almost a year straight. Brian did a thorough assessment to explain how to heal my injury; He also explained the process and the importance of stepping back from lifting. I followed his guidance. For seven months didn’t touch a bar. Then, I did the same exercises for seven months to build a resilient core. Finally, 2.5 months ago, I started to lift again. I could not recommend Brian more. He is super knowledgeable and passionate about helping others. He also has a tremendous understanding of the human body and weightlifting. I am now pain-free and pushing toward competition again! Thank you, Brian!”
Sawyer has returned to lifting back pain and symptom-free.
Sawyer Levy: “I came to Brian about a compression fracture I got on my L3 in late February 2021 due to an accident sustained outside lifting. Reading Brian’s story in Gift of Injury drew me to seek his help. Brian helped me get on the right track with recovery, but the biggest thing was hearing from a powerlifter that had been through this before to stay away from the gym even if I thought I could continue to train. Not just hearing it from the doctor. Brian got me on the right track using the principles of the McGill method, and I am experiencing the benefits of that now. I will continue to work with Brian and recommend any powerlifter, strongman, Olympic lifter, etc., that has a back break or any back injury to do the same. Thank you, Brian.”
