Healing Back Pain : The Mind-Body Connection

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I had been fighting frequent back pain and headaches for fifteen years when I saw a report about Dr. Sarno on 20/20. Since, like John Stossil(?), none of the doctors, specialists, and chiropractors I had seen could find a cause for my pain, I decided to buy this book. I had a headache the day I began reading Dr. Sarno's book and, before I even finished the Introduction, my headache was completely gone. I was amazed! And, better yet, I haven't had any headaches or back pain since reading it.

Rating:
Summary: Leap of faith
Review: Next to enabling me to cure myself of chronic, disabling sciatic pain, this book's greatest gift to me was evaporating my fear of all kinds of pain. I fear that my MRI-documented herniated disc will cause pain about as much as I fear my wrinkles will cause headaches. It was hard work getting better again--3 months last winter of diverting my attention to feelings instead of pain, practicing relaxation techniques, exercising, and constantly telling myself that my pain, although having physiological causes, was not from structural abnormalities. It took a leap of faith, which is not easy when doctors are pointing in alarm to your disc's pressing on a nerve. But once I accepted that my back and nerves were just fine, my cure came steadily. I am grateful beyond words. Anyone who has ever suffered from this all-encompassing pain understands what not having it and not fearing it mean.

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Summary: This book changed my life...
Review: I had been suffering from back pain for eight years, including sciatica, since my pregnancy. In fact, my back was so bad, just the thought of having another baby really scared me. I just did not think I could withstand the pressure of the pregnancy on my spine. I have also suffered from knee pain and foot pain all of which made my life almost unbearable at times. I saw Howard Stern on the Larry King Show talking about Dr. Sarno and his books. I bought the book and thought, "it can't be this simple. These people are imagining this." But at the time I was taking four ibuprofen at a time, three times a day, and it was starting to affect my stomach. I quit the ibuprofen, and followed Dr. Sarno's steps. The bottom line - I have been almost pain free for one year. Occasionally I have a flare up, but I realize it for what it is and it does not last long. I recommend this book. It sounds crazy, but if you are in as much pain as I was, what have you got to lose??

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Summary: Amazing, so simple yet so effective - Addendum
Review: I said in my earlier review that one has to accept "it." "It" did not mean accept the pain but to accept the fact that the pain is emotionally induced and not the result of a structural deformity. This acceptance is the key to recovery.

Rating:
Summary: The best book for back pain!
Review: I was suffering from the worst back pain four years ago. I purchased many books on the subject and read many articles of how to reduce back pain. This book by Dr. Sarno was the best book I read. He is right on in his diagnosis that the majority of back pain is tension related. I read this book and really focused on personal issues and the mental exercises that the book discusses and within two months I was 100% better. It was amazing. Dr. Sarno encourages his patients to get back to working out and doing the regular things they did before the back pain came on. I reread the book every so often for direction and to refocus. Dr. Sarno is revolutionary!

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Summary: no more pain!!
Review: I read Dr. Sarno's book 1 1/2 years ago, and still am absolutely pain free! I had suffered for 20+ years with dibilitating lower back pain, which the doctors could show me in my x-rays, followed by 3 years of 2 ulcers, neck pain, and even acne. Half-way through the book, I noticed the pain GONE! Absolutely amazing, just what the knowledge of what was really going on with me! It is just amazing how our minds can sabotage our bodies! I am a new person, and have bought 8 or more books for other people, and each time they thank ME, I remind them that is the work of Dr. Sarno that cured them! I just felt great to share this knowledge with others, and see them go thru this amazing transformation and relief! I am constantly telling people who I have heard complain of various aches all the way to constant pain, and beg them to just give Sarnos book a chance. I thank-you, Dr. Sarno, for enlightening all of us, and actually curing us for life.

Rating:
Summary: My Back Pain Evaporated
Review: To Chronic Back Pain Sufferers, I highly recommend this book and here's why: I have two herniated discs, spent 3 years in pain going to doctors, taking drugs, doing special exercises, going to Physical Therapy and it wasn't working. Actually, my pain was getting worse. I had already scheduled back surgery when I found this book. After reading the Intro and first chapter, my back pain simply EVAPORATED. I cancelled the surgery, trashed the motrin and muscle relaxants, said goodbye to Physical Therapy and started living again virtually pain free. I still have the bulging discs, but they aren't causing pain and never did. I've been out of pain for a year now and enjoying life. I have had minor bouts with stiffness, but I know what's causing it now. I don't worry about my back any more and tend to laugh in the face of doctors (they really hate that). I rated this book 5 Stars. I would have rated it a 200, but the scale didn't go that high. Sarno rocks!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing, so simple yet so effective
Review: I had been suffering with severe back pain, severe pain from siatica and extreme weakness in both legs. I could only walk for a short distance and then with a cane. My son mailed Dr. Sarno's book to me as it had been helpful to him. I read the book. Within two days, the strength in my leg muscles improved to 90% of normal. Simply put, Dr. Sarno suggests that most back pain is caused by oxygen deprivation to the muscles (TMS) as a result of emotionally induced factors such as anger or anxiety, particularly for the 30 to 60 age group. Being 70, I was concerned whether my partial recovery was the placebo effect or if I had TMS or a structural problem or a combination of both and whether the cure would be permanent. I had been diagnosed as having spinal stenosis and in need of a laminectomy (removal of a portion of a vertebra to release pressure on the spinal column) on L3 and L4. I found the website listing doctors who are familiar with the TMS treatment. I made an appointment. I was informed that I had TMS beyond any doubt. In four weeks I was back to normal. Most treatments for back pain result in temporary relief which could be a placebo effect. Dr. Sarno's program offers permanent relief because the cause of the pain is correctly identified. I wish that all people suffering from chronic pain could be aware of this procedure. It is certainly working for me. Thank you Dr. Sarno.

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Summary: Healing Back Pain, Dr. John Sarno
Review: I have suffered from back pain all of my adult life. About a year ago, sciatica started and got progressively worse with time. I tried acupuncture, which did nothing, and chiropractic manipulation, which made it worse. It got so bad I was bed-ridden for over 6 weeks. All this time I was taking heavy doses of codeine for the pain. After reading this book, my wife said "this is you he's writing about." Two days after finishing the book I went from 4 oxy-contin a day(a strong time-release form of codeine) to none in three days. I am now pain free, am resuming my life and generally feel better than I have in 30 years. Dr. Sarno, I owe you more than I can express.

Rating:
Summary: Healing Back Pain
Review: Dr. Sarno's book Healing Back Pain is one of the most informative, eye opening books I have ever read. He describes how we create pain in various body parts in response to emotional conditions. I believe this is the key to most people with chronic pain. I practice medicine at an urgent care clinic in Boise, Idaho. Since reading Dr. Sarno's books I have found several patients that his technique has helped. Of course you have to rule out other causes of disease, but usually by the time I see a patient their doctor has already worked them up extensively and given up. Read this book if you have any recurrent pain. If your doctor has not read this book, give it to them. I have a web page "At Ease Medicine", and I recommend Dr. Sarno's books to all of my patients.