Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by John E. Sarno
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Book Reviews of Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection
Book Review: Learning to read might be the first emotional problem to overcome
Summary: 5 Stars
I was sort of amazed that at least five reviewers here knocked Dr. Sarno's book because they couldn't find a method in the book to follow. For example:
"I read it, and it didn't change a thing. And there is no description of the actual method."
"Sarno's book helped me understand the cause of my back pain, but I was left with no clear steps to take to get rid of the pain."
"Be warned -- there's no actual treatment plan in this book."
"He doesn't tell you how to heal it (as the title suggests), but rather tries to drum into you the idea that you may, indeed, have his syndrome. After which you discover that the only way to heal it is through workshops/videos/personal consultations."
"There's not one thing about his program. I certainly wouldn't have purchased it if I knew this wasn't his actual program, just a sales pitch for it. This was a waste of money."
While other reviewers' critiques consisted of (inaccurately) boiling the method down to something like "If you're in pain, ask yourself what you're angry about and you will be healed."
Well class, if you will kindly turn to page 70 in the book, as the table of contents suggests, here you will find the step-by-step method outlined under the unambiguously titled chapter called, "The treatment of TMS." Here are the steps, edited for brevity, for those of you who missed it, or haven't quite got the hang of learning how to read yet:
© 1991 by John E. Sarno, M.D. Text quoted under fair use copyright law. No infringement is intended.
The treatment program rests on two pillars:
1. The acquisition of knowledge of insight into the nature of the disorder.
2. The ability to act on that knowledge, and thereby change the brain's behavior. So, one must learn all about TMS. What actually causes the pain, and what part of the brain is responsible. Then one reviews the psychology of the disorder. The fact that we all tend to generate anger and anxiety in this culture, and that the more compulsive and perfectionistic of us generate a lot.
3. What one must then do is develop the habit of "thinking psychological, instead of physical." I suggest to patients that when they find themselves being aware of the pain, they must consciously and forcefully shift their attention to something psychological. Perhaps, something they are worried about. A chronic family or financial problem. A recurrent source of irritation. Anything in the psychological realm. That sends a message to the brain that they are no longer deceived by the pain. When that message reaches the depths of the mind - the unconscious - the pain ceases.
4. Talk to your brain. What one is doing is consciously taking charge, instead of feeling the helpless, intimidated victim which is so common in people with this syndrome. The person is asserting himself, telling the brain that he is not going to put up with this state of affairs. And it works. Patients report that they can actually abort an episode of pain by doing this.
5. Resume all physical activity, including the most vigorous. Though it is often difficult, every patient has to work through his or her fear and return to full, normal physical activity. One must do this to liberate oneself from the fear of physical activity, which is often more effective than pain in keeping one's mind focused on the body. That is the purpose of TMS, to keep the mind from attending to emotional things. As Snoopy, the great contemporary philosopher once said, "There's nothing like a little physical pain to keep your mind off your emotional problems." I suggest to patients that they begin the process of resuming physical activity when they experience a significant reduction in pain, and when they are feeling confident about the diagnosis. One has to confront TMS - fight it - or the symptoms will continue. Losing one's fear and resuming normal physical activity is possibly the most important part of the therapeutic process.
6. All forms of physical treatment or therapy must be abandoned. Conceptually, prescribing physical therapy contradicts what we have found to be the only rational way to treat the problem. That is, by teaching and through education, invalidating the process where it begins - in the mind.
7. Review these 12 key thoughts at least once a day:
1. The pain is due to TMS, not to a structural abnormality.
2. The direct reason for the pain is mild oxygen deprivation.
3. TMS is a harmless condition caused by my repressed emotions.
4. The principal emotion is my repressed anger.
5. TMS exists only to distract my attention from the emotions.
6. Since my back is basically normal, there is nothing to fear.
7. Therefore, physical activity is not dangerous.
8. And I must resume all normal physical activity.
9. I will not be concerned or intimidated by the pain.
10. I will shift my attention from the pain to emotional issues.
11. I intend to be in control, not my unconscious mind.
12. I must think psychological at all times, not physical.
Patients are then urged to give this information an opportunity to "sink in," to be integrated, to be accepted at an unconscious level. Conscious acceptance, though essential as a first step, is not sufficient to reverse the TMS.
Book Review: My pain was caused by something really simple
Summary: 5 Stars
This book changed my life and the way I think about a lot of things. At first, like everyone, I was skeptical because I had recently been told by an orthopedic surgeon that I had scoliosis, compressed disks, arthritis, pinched nerves and bone spurs in my lower back. Well, that's enough to depress anyone! The pain was so bad I had to lie down 4 or so times every day and stretch out several times just to do my normal household stuff like preparing healthy meals for myself. So I took what Dr. Sarno said to heart and really started doing some soul-searching to try and find out exactly what was in my mind that could be causing such pain, since I believed that the structural problems were not at fault. I came up with a lot of deep things, but the pain persisted.
Then an amazing thing happened. For over two years, I had a cyst on the middle finger of my right hand. It has been a real pain in the behind, but never caused me any physical pain. It was just ugly and I always worried about hitting it against something and busting it open and bleeding all over everything and needing emergency medical treatment. So that was always a worry. I have been examined by at least five doctors, have had it lanced by a dermatologist, and have waited and waited for the powers that be to agree that it needed surgery, and to give me the referral I needed to the appropriate surgeon. Because it originated in the finger joint, I needed a hand surgery specialist. My medical plan only has a hand surgeon on Oahu, so it would mean a trip over there to get it taken care of, which I was reluctantly happy to do, although I dreaded it like crazy.
So the procedure was scheduled for November 30, two days after my 60th birthday (which I was also not very happy about). I had to jump through all kinds of hoops beforehand: X-Rays of both my chest and the finger, a pre-surgery physical exam including an EKG that had to be done exactly 10 days before the surgery, and God knows what else. I put my foot down about going to Oahu beforehand to have the surgeon simply look at my finger because that little trip eats up an entire day. Are you starting to see some anger here? I remember saying to the last orthopedic doctor I saw in Hilo, "Can't we just take a picture of it with my cell phone camera and e-mail it to the doctor on Oahu?" A little sarcastic, I admit, with underlying tones of anger. Like, "IT'S JUST A FINGER, GOLDARN IT! JUST TAKE CARE OF IT AND STOP MAKING SUCH A BIG DEAL OUT OF IT AND CAUSING ME GRIEF! AND BY THE WAY, SCREW YOU! SCREW ALL OF YOU!" As it turned out, the surgeon did agree to perform the operation without seeing it first. He looked at the cyst while I was being prepped at the hospital, which was exactly what I wanted to happen. YEA! I got my way!
Then, on the morning of the surgery, for no apparent reason, I felt better. I had considered carrying my cane for the grueling daylong trip to Oahu, endless walking through airports, two flights, etc. But at the last minute, just before getting into the truck, I decided that I would risk not taking the cane because I really felt OK. And my back has remained much better ever since (over a month now). So--why? Here are the things I now realize I was angry about:
* The cyst itself.
* The fact that it took so long to get it taken care of.
* Having to go to Oahu for the surgery.
* Having to get up so early and give up my entire day.
* Having to do all the pre-surgery stuff, like the chest X-Ray.
* Having to deal with lots of paperwork, medical personnel, questions and arrangements.
* Being told what to do and not being able to do it my way (at least I got my way about not having to go to Oahu beforehand just to have the surgeon look at the damn thing).
* Being required to bring a care-giving companion with me (even though Kaiser paid for her and my airfare, I just thought it was so ridiculous for such a minor surgery. After all--I wasn't required to have a companion when I came home from my hip replacement after five days in the hospital!).
* Now that it's over, I guess I'm a little angry that I have stitches and slight pain. And there's always some worry that infection might still occur.
Is that all? Is that what's been causing me to be crippled to the point that I can't even carry out my daily tasks without a major struggle? According to Dr. Sarno in the book, it makes sense. But it is not something I would ever have guessed could be causing my back problems. It seems too simple, too superficial. But for that silly cyst and the associated medical nonsense to actually be the cause... that's hard for me to believe and accept. All I can say now that the surgery is over (and I don't have to go back to Oahu to have the sutures removed), and my back pain is much better, is this: thank you, gods and goddesses for making it manifest itself and for whatever reason, for reducing my pain to the point where I can work in the garden again and enjoy life a little more. I am confident that the agonizing back pain I have suffered lately is behind me now.
Book Review: War I have won!
Summary: 5 Stars
Yep. It is me against my pain and the story goes..
When I used to think of all that stuff I could be enjoing doing if not for the pain (like walking, hiking, weight lifiting,
running), I used to get even more depressed and my mind was constantly sending more
pain signals (if you will) to my lower back. I went into depression sort of. I envy seeing all those people slouch,
bend, run, dance and what not (and my pain is even more).
Even imagining lifting something as heavy as my laptop used to dread me.
I have seen doctors. I have used NSAIDs. I have gotten therapy. Gotten MRIs done. Tried alternative therapies like
trigger point therapy, yoga etc. Resulst? Zilch! Still my pain persisted.
And at times, the pain is gone and at times it was debilitating.
At times, it was in my left leg other times in my right hand. And constant nag in my low back.
And the pain used to change its target areas to thighs, ankles, hands.
Sitting 2 hours used to make my low back so hot (literally) - it used to be like a burner.
Well, all this explained me nothing. I tried to analyse the pain patterns based on some criteria - Like I have
used drugs on these days and what is my pain level. I have done therapy today, did it help? I was exerted more than usual, did it
make a difference. Absolutely NO PATTERN was established. Those days I was exterted, sometimes, are better for me than those
days that I did not. Well, you get the idea.
I bought about 10 books before I tried Dr. Sarno's. I am so gald that I have stumbled on this book rather
(No one has told me about it).
These are the steps I have performed to cure my back in 4 weeks:
[Most of the stuff is there in the book]
1. Listen to music when I can so that I concentrate on enjoying the music part (I have a desk job).
2. Watch movies of my liking (and try to enjoy the movie and ignore the pain).
3. Spend time with family/friends.
4. Concentrate on the work when I am working.
5. When in severe pain, read the reviews (positive ones which are in plenty) on Amazon.com for this book.
Yep, no kidding, it helped me a great deal. Very inspirational!!
6. Do bending, slouching and all other normal activities.
7. Take it like a game, like a challenge, me against my mind (hmm, an oxymoron?); While I was trying to put the pain to the grave,
It was kind of funny the way the pain moved from one place to another place.
8. Talk to myself to reiterate the fact that there is no pain as such. It is all a mind game!
9. Concentrate on issues, as the book says. However, when I tried to do that part,
some times, my pain used to shoot up. Its sort of as if the pain struggling for survival.
10. Hit the gym and do some moderate lifting and running activities.
11. Friends and Relatives who are aware of my pain would try to warn me and offer me assistance.
It was important for me that they don't offer that help implying I am not normal.
I told them clear not to offer me any assistance. Not that we forget we have pain, but them
to offer help makes things worse while trying to bounce back.
12.Believe that I am normal and I can do what an healthy normal being can do!
I know, its all in the book but to put it to work is a struggle!
Every one knows. Hnce I want to reiterate the point "to shrug the pain off your mind" while doing
the above activities is important.
Well, the way I looked at it was, I had no hope. With all due respect to the doctors and their degrees,
they could offer me NOTHING. Even, some used to get frustrated with me when I explain my situation or ask more
questions. Well I wonder if that's because their inability to comprehend the root cause of the problem?
And I felt the pain was so much, nothing could have made it worse and gave a shot at Dr. Sarno's theory.
Thats my story. And hope it will help you get better.
Good luck!
Book Review: Five Stars is not enough!
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is long overdue, but after recovering from 10 years of back pain, I've been having too much fun to write in (dancing, scuba, travel, bicycling, swimming). I've read a lot of books, but this by far is the most important. If you have any kind of chronic health problems, this is your best chance of recovery.It's no exaggeration when I say that Dr. Sarno saved my life with his groundbreaking theory.
I suffered with 10 years of chronic pain, muscle spasm, tingling in my neck, upper back and arms. I tried many treatments, both traditional and alternative. Cervical traction, chiropractic, massage, myotherapy, trigger point release, physical therapy, cervical collar, medications, acupuncture, homeopathy. I even had surgery on one of my shoulders for a supposed shoulder impingement. Some of the treatments gave short term relief only. The surgery did nothing to help. I spent years searching for an answer, and thousands of dollars out of pocket. I had testing and the diagnoses I received were bulging discs and degenerative disc disease (sound scary dont they?). I was offered no hope of a cure. I was 40 at the time, yet physically felt like I was 90 due to the pain. I had no hope for my future because if I had a degenerative process, it would only get worse. My pain went from a low level annoyance to becoming debilitating.I had pain every day, all day I struggled to care for my children and home. I felt like a failure as a mother and wife, and became depressed about my situation.
Then I found an answer, in the form of Dr. Sarno's Healing Back Pain book. Being a medical professional, I was skeptical as I began to read the claims of relief without surgery, PT, or specific treatments. I decided, I had nothing to lose by reading the book except a couple of hours of my time.
I found myself on every page of his book. I felt he knew me despite never having met me. He was telling my story. I literally wept as I read the book and found a glimmer of hope. I began to improve slowly and continued to read and re-read, began a gradual return to activites, as well as starting to journal about emotional issues and feelings. As I applied his theory to my life, I continued to improve both physically and emotionally. Amazingly, I'm still doing great 8 years later.
I don't want to mislead anyone. I did not have an instantaneous resolution of my symptoms (although I now know people who have). It has been a process of healing and self discovery for me, but well worth it. I have had occasional episodes of some discomfort over the years (during stressful times) but now I know how to address it and can make it go away pretty easily. The most important thing is that it has never been as bad as it was at it's worst, and most of the time I have no pain at all. I no longer have fear and I know that I am healthy and strong. I have no limitations in what I can do. I have proven that to myself over and over again in the past 8 years since recovering using Dr. Sarno's information. Probably the most physical things I have been able to do is that I painted an entire house, took a dance class, learned scuba and just last year I rode a bicycle 110 miles in a day (having trained for it in only 3 weeks).
I realize these claims may seem hard to believe. Had I not experienced it personally, I'm not sure how I would feel about it. But I'm here to say that my life has been forever changed and enriched by learning about this incredible mind-body connection. If you are looking for someone else to fix you, then this is probably not the book for you. But if you're tired of being in pain, have an open mind, and are willing to do the work, then this information can change your life. I wish you health and peace.
I would like to share a Galileo quote which speaks to me regarding Dr. Sarno's work: "In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual."
Words can not express my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you Dr. John Sarno!
Book Review: An accidental, miraculous find!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been fighting spondy in my L5/S1 region, as well as nerve damage, since 1993/94 (due to injury). The diagnosis and prognosis continues to puzzle my orthopedic professionals for many years now because I refuse to have a fusion until the day arrives that I can no longer walk. Arthritic flare-ups during winter months have pretty much turned me against cold weather. The bursitis in my left hip has become so much worse that I was referred to a physical therapist who specializes in hip/pelvic work. At present, I am only 42 years old, but my doctors have taken everything away from me that I love doing. Most activities require more 'back' straining than they say I can handle. This is a hard pill to swallow for someone who had led a very active lifestyle until the age of 29.
I don't take med's. I truly believe in PT as a way to keep myself motivated to do what I can. So I visited this newly referred PT. She's great; she found so many things going on inside me. But to touch me was excruciating. When we started talking about how the injuries occurred, she learned more than she bargained for. There is much traumatic history that goes with the damage. I told her I had finished writing my book about what happened and how I had to dig up a lot of the memories to get the details in print (not published yet). She told me about a book another patient had told her about. I immediately bought this book. To be honest, as a psychology minor, I was rather skeptical about the content as far as the first chapter. Amazingly, by the end of Chapter 2, I was 100% pain-free!
I visited the PT at mid-way of the book. I said nothing about how I was feeling; just told her I'd been reading the book she recommended. (Note, she had NOT yet read this book). As she was palpating all the trigger points of where my pain lived, she commented something was so not normal for me, that I had not screamed the first time that visit! I told her she has to read this book because it speaks to the subconscious mind, somehow, for I had done nothing but read. There had been no written exercises, just enlightened reading. The following week I returned to her and she found that I was still pain-free, even with adding cardio (walks) to my daily routine... something that was not even in the picture for so long.
I've been pain-free for 1 month now. I'm a newbie at this, and I'm so enjoying the feeling of 'freedom' from the pain that had bound me for years. I added another activity this weekend: I had to wash my lawn tractor. To my surprise, there is still NO pain!!! My friends talk to me on the phone and comment how "calm" and positive I sound. They are amazed at the change in me. Chronic pain messes with the whole of a person, not just an area or two. My mood is upbeat always, stress doesn't bother me now (I've been juggling home ownership crises with a smile!), and I just feel I can conquer any mountain now.
I spoke with my GP about this book, also, as I have about other 'non-traditional diagnoses and treatment' books. He's a great GP and his favorite pass time is endocrinology. As I showed him the book, his face lit up and he said, "I love that book!"
I've recommended this book to friends and colleagues who have struggled with unending pain, some for far longer than I. It is my hope that others will learn of this theory and realize that TMS is a part of our culture that continues to evolve in the arena of those who still 'practice' medicine. I believe Dr. Sarno has finished his 'practice' and has hit the nail on the head with this! Denial is a very powerful thing, and once the issues are acknowledged and validated, they (and the denial) find their way to release a person. It seems Dr. Sarno's sermon is that it's okay to be angry, but not okay to hide it for fear of what others will think. It hurts only the person who bottles the anger.