Book review How I got my wiggle back: A memoir of healing – by Anthony Field agree with that. Might have worked for him/her but I’m not convinced it’ll work for many other people’.
his book tells the story
collapsing afterwards, eating of how one very sick man rubbish, craving sugar and morphed from an exhausted, having troubled sleep. Not chubby, pain-ridden misery to to mention his embarrassing a bright-eyed, physically strong digestion issues with endless and energetic athlete. emergency visits to toilets on aeroplanes, hotels and Written in the first person, even back stage before an Anthony Field of ‘The Wiggles’ interview. (a world-renowned children’s entertainment group) details his Anthony’s coping strategies will transformation in the form of a also ring true with most people. biography which pays particular Each time he met a new attention to his health and how medical professional or heard it affected his quality of life. about another cure for his ailments, he would feel a Although Anthony’s battle and renewed sense of hope, suffering were at some points whether it came from a new extreme (all his teeth fell out at doctor, therapist or nutritionist. one point and he ended up in All of these attempts at finding hospital), the majority of readers the answer helped a little bit, will be able to identify with his or so he thought, but in reality plight. His busy schedule, he was making his body more travelling and touring with toxic with each new ‘miracle’ snatched, nutritionally deficient drug. meals on the go, isn’t unlike the way that many people are living Now, when I read this kind of their lives in today’s society. book, I’m usually anticipating Anthony explains how he fell into disappointment when the a downhill spiral, summoning up author announces the answer all his energy to entertain on to their problems and my stage and then practically reaction is, ‘Oh. Not sure I Page 22
Autumn 2012
Barefoot Running Magazine
However, I already knew my reaction to this book would be different because I’d had the good fortune to have read the theory and practical applications that formed a part of his recovery. No doubt many of you will have heard of Dr James Stoxen, the ‘human spring doctor’ (and contributor to this magazine!) who is also a barefoot runner and proponent of going barefoot to strengthen the feet as part of the ‘human spring mechanism’. Anthony Field was lucky enough to meet Dr Stoxen during one of his US tours and asked him for help before, during and after his shows. “Work on my back” he ordered Doctor Stoxen, because that was where he had the most pain.
“All of these attempts at finding the answer helped a little bit, or so he thought, but in reality he was making his body more toxic” Dr Stoxen refused, and instead looked at how Anthony walked, concluding that his ‘spring mechanism’ was locked and affecting his entire movement and bodily functions. I’ll leave you to read the full theory, but it is sound. If you’ve ever massaged your feet thoroughly