This book investigates the core question of whether chronic physical decline and pain associated with aging are inevitable or preventable through conscious neuromuscular control. Thomas Hanna, a philosopher and somatic educator, draws upon the principles of the Feldenkrais Method to argue that many physical ailments stem from Sensory-Motor Amnesia, a condition where the brain loses the ability to fully control or relax specific muscle groups. He presents a structured framework of somatic exercises designed to restore voluntary control over the body, thereby reversing patterns of tension and stiffness.

Experts and practitioners in the field of movement therapy recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the somatic approach to physical health. Readers frequently note that the prose is accessible to laypeople while providing a clear, actionable framework for long-term pain management.