Dr. Soheila Zhaeentan’s musculoskeletal guide arrives in English

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Soheila Zhaeentan’s Swedish bestseller, Living Body Smart, is being published in English in the US on Oct. 14, 2026. The book aims to close a basic knowledge gap in musculoskeletal health at a time when arthritis affects about one in four US adults and costs the economy more than $300 billion a year.

Why it matters: - Musculoskeletal problems are a major driver of pain, disability and healthcare spending in the US. - CDC data cited in the release says about one in four US adults, or more than 54 million people, live with some form of arthritis. - Arthritis costs the US economy more than $300 billion a year in medical care and lost earnings. - The book targets a gap in public knowledge, not a shortage of procedures or specialists. - The goal is to help readers understand when self-care is enough and when medical attention is needed.

What happened: - Living Body Smart, the English-language edition of Dr. Soheila Zhaeentan’s Swedish bestseller Kroppssmart, is being published in the US for the first time. - The US print and e-book release date is Oct. 14, 2026. - Dr. Zhaeentan is an orthopedic surgeon with 25 years of clinical experience in Sweden, Norway and Australia. - She holds a PhD in shoulder surgery from the Karolinska Institute. - The Swedish edition became a bestseller before this English-language launch.

The details: - The book is organized in two parts. - The first part explains why pain happens, what osteoarthritis is and how muscles, tendons and bone density change with age. - The second part moves joint by joint through the spine, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot. - The book includes guidance on self-exams and red flags that should prompt a doctor visit. - The book also reassures readers that an aching or creaking joint does not always need medical treatment. - Zhaeentan says most people can manage joint or back pain better than the healthcare system assumes, especially early on. - Zhaeentan says the main problem is that people have not been told in plain language what is happening inside a stiff shoulder or aching knee. - The book is grounded in peer-reviewed research and 25 years of clinical practice. - The writing is intentionally plain and sometimes humorous rather than textbook-like. - The book is meant to complement a physician’s advice, not replace it. - Zhaeentan says the book is meant to help readers ask better questions and recognize when a symptom is serious. - In the book, Zhaeentan says she entered public education in orthopedics with “undiagnosed megalomania and a dash of narcissistic personality traits.” - Zhaeentan also writes that she has personally experienced a long list of orthopedic conditions, including a childhood fracture, shoulder surgery and osteoarthritis in both kneecaps. - The author says aging itself is not a diagnosis, but it is a major driver of musculoskeletal issues that often show up between ages 40 and 60. - The book argues that knowing the difference between normal aging and a problem can lead to better decisions and fewer unnecessary doctor visits.

Between the lines: - The pitch is as much about health literacy as it is about treatment. - The release taps into a broader longevity trend, but it focuses on everyday function rather than wellness branding. - The book’s tone and self-deprecating humor appear designed to lower the barrier for readers who might avoid medical books. - By emphasizing evidence-based self-care, the book positions itself against social-media health advice. - The message is straightforward: better baseline knowledge may reduce anxiety, improve triage and make care more efficient.

What’s next: - The English edition will reach US readers on Oct. 14, 2026. - The author is available for interviews. - The release says the book is intended to help readers use evidence-based strategies before seeking care, and then escalate to a doctor if symptoms persist. - The publisher is Aniara.