Rating: 
Summary: The Mindbody Prescription
Review: I had a terrible case of tennis elbow in the spring of 1999. Two different orthopedists recommended surgery after cortisone, standard rehabilitive therapy and an extended sports rehab program failed to produce lasting results. I have always regarded surgery as a last option, but the pain was so severe I felt I had no choice. I then read about Dr. Sarnos books in U.S. News and World report, and although very skeptical, bought both his Healing Back Pain and The Mindbody Prescription. The main theory sounded ridiculous to me, but I was desperate enough to give it a try, so I read both books cover to cover. How could just realizing act that my tennis elbow was caused by repressed anger cure it? Sarno said its necessary for the concept to sink in to the subconcious for it to be effective, so I spent 30 minutes a day rereading the books and making a list of anything I could possibly be angry about.In about 6 days I had a marked improvement, and within a month I was totaly cured, and that was five months ago. Numerous other minor aches and pains have dissapeared as well.I think Dr. Sarno explains how he reaches his conclusions and the basic concept well. But there is no specific step by step program for the reader to convince his subconcious that repressed rage may be the cause. So I thougt it might be helpfull to a reader for me to say that I did not get instanous results like some people, it took a bit of time and effort for the basic concept to penetrate my subconscious. And I did that by simply reading the books over to cover; making a list of things I might be angry at; and then reading some from the two books each day.I cannot recommend Dr. Sarno's books highly enough, they have saved me a lot of suffering, both now and in the future.
Rating:
Summary: If you have any type of chronic PAIN read this book.
Review: My wife had headaches for over one year. From the moment she woke up to the moment she went to sleep. Life was hellish. Her neurologist said she had a problem with her neck. Her spinal colum was unbalanced and rubbing against a nerve, resulting in the headaches. He recommended we start with physiotherapy (4 months of treatment), them moved on to a chyropractor (4 months), then tried some medicine (with a nasty side effect - serious weight gain, aggressivity). We even tried acupuncture and massotherapy. Although everything worked a bit at the beginning, her headaches didn't go away. A friend who had been cured from serious bach pain said this book might help. I bought the book for my wife the next day. She read it. The first week there was no improvement. The second week she had slightly fewer headaches. The third week she had almost no headaches. The fourth week she was CURED! It is true, my wife does have a problem with her neck. I've seen the X-rays, all the doctors agreed. BUT this was not the root cause of her pain. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't forget the "BODY" in the Mind Body Prescription
Review: The personal testiomonials throughout the book and amazon helped to add value to the concepts Dr. Sarno suggests. I have realized that the mind is connected with the body through my own experience in martial arts, endurance training and yoga. I was excited to read about it when I first heard of the book. As a physical therapist, exercise physiologist and biomechanist, however, I feel Dr. Sarno has underestimated the effects of muscular deconditioning and physical fitness. Throughout the book he discusses the "mindbody" connection, but it seems to me that he has decided to focus on the "mind" only and thrown out the importance of the "body". I completely agree with the fact that many physiological problems are either caused or manifested by the mind, however, we CANNOT forget about the physical deconditioning that results from pain. This deconditioning makes the body susceptible to real injury that is a result of mechanics - not the mind. Unfortunately, since he is not a physical therapist, exercise physiologist or biomechanist he is unaware of the complete importance of physical strength, lumbar stabilization, and correct ergonomics. Therefore, many people reading this book will think that physical therapy is worthless. Yes, I am prejudice, however, I can back this prejudice with scientific and clinical research & experience. I still believe that many of my patients are suffering from subconscious anger, but unless they can see that with an open mind and willingness to explore their innerself, they will still be in pain. I have referred several patients to read this book with much compassion and sincerity. Still no one has received benefit. At least I know that I can help them physically by educating them on strengthening, body mechanics, body awareness and relaxation. Physical therapy is not a waste. I agree with many of Dr. Sarno's ideas; I only wish he would see the whole picture. The goal should be to educate the public on the mind & body aspects!
Rating:
Summary: Sarno is a pioneer
Review: Last winter I was stricken with near-crippling lower-back and hip pain, which I initially attributed to a combination of basketball and hours of shoveling heavy snow. For more than a month, getting out of bed each morning was a painful, arduous affair that could take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. As the day wore on I would improve somewhat but was still unable to sit in a chair, let alone exercise, do yoga, or contemplate cross-country skiing or playing hoops. I sought help from doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, and an acupuncturist. While acupuncture was very helpful, my long-term cure came from Dr. John Sarno's book Mind Over Back Pain. In it, Sarno clearly explains how the vast majority of back, neck, and shoulder pain is caused by stress. The pain I felt wasn't imaginary or psychosomatic in the sense that there weren't actually physical symptoms, but the cause of those symptoms (the result of restricted blood flow to my lower-back region) came from not processing my emotions as emotions. My back took the brunt of what my mind wasn't fully able/ready to accept. In The MindBody Prescription Dr. Sarno moves beyond just the back to explain how and why the mind causes pain in any number of places in the body; he applies those insights to help heal other maladies such as allergies, carpal tunnel syndrome, skin problems, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The reason most of these ailments don't respond to drugs and physical manipulations is that these approaches don't address the root cause of the problem: unrecognized emotional turmoil. If you're suffering from an ailment that is difficult to diagnose or not responding finding to conventional, or even alternative cures, read Sarno's book.
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Summary: Exceedingly insightful -- the truth!
Review: He is, as it were, a voice crying in the wilderness, but Dr. Sarno has written an extraordinarily truthful account of psychosomatic back pain - which is almost invariably poorly understood in pop. culture. Upon months of reflection, I am convinced that he has made a major contribution by helping to clarify the modus operandi of the human psyche. After two years of horrendous neck discomfort, I am, finally, approaching a metaphorical clearing in the woods, and the pain is lifting.The most frequently heard criticism of Sarno, it seems, is that he relies on certain elements of Freudian psychology - namely, the unconscious and conversion symptoms. Regrettably, the mere mention of Freud - who, though surely not correct about everything, was nonetheless on the right track, so to speak, about many things - is enough to frighten and/or to turn away some people. This phenomenon is certainly regrettable, because deprecating Sarno's truthful - I emphasize, truthful - exposition because of his reliance on the psycho-analytical tradition not only prohibits these too hasteful critics from obtaining a better understanding of the psyche but also prolongs their pain. It is doubtless important to note that Sarno's method is not an over-the-counter remedy and, moreover, that it requires considerable thought on the patient's part. But, the rewards are astounding. While instant, drugstore remedies are rarely more than temporarily effective - and, crucially, often serve to muffle symptoms which, rather than be muffled, should be listened to, as they are the mind's way of communicating important messages - Sarno's treatment lasts a lifetime and is an excellent introduction to psychosomatic medicine and psychodynamics. I conclude by reiterating my high praise for Dr. Sarno and by restating that his tack does work, if the reader is authentically open to and receptive of what he is trying to say.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Ever have a cramp in ur leg? Was there anything phyically wrong with it? Probably not, but the pain was sure real. Something in ur little brain short circuited and caused the extreme pain! READ THIS BOOK!
Rating: 
Summary: Not all that helpful.
Review: I bought the book hoping for concrete techniques, solutions, guidelines, steps, etc. All I got was a lot of psyco-babble, which, although it made sense and confirmed what I believed, didn't offer much advice. Sarno goes on forever with his theories, and then offers very general, common sense solutions and guidelines as to how to "heal the pain." Not very helpful at the end of the day.
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Summary: This book can change your life.
Review: I suffered through two years of debilitating back pain, visits to doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and physical therapy. Nothing helped solve my problem, until I read Dr. Sarno's book. Within weeks I was cured....permanently. I've recommened it to otheres who have experienced identical results. This book is the back pain bible. Forget about adjusting your life around your back. Take control with this book.
Rating:
Summary: A life-saver
Review: I was diagnosed with prostatitis that was so severe I was waking up an average of 3 to 4 times a night for months. I was getting so little sleep I could barely make it through a day. The urologist told me my prostrate was significantly inflamed and this would be a life long problem and had me on very strong medication which did not help much. I read Doctor Sarno's book and went to see him. I sat in on his lecture and within two weeks my prostate was completely back to normal with no medication. Since then I have applied Doctor Sarno's technique to other pain maladies with much success. This man is one othe most courageous men in the field of medicine. He towers above most MD's. I have tremendous respect for him.
Rating:
Summary: No more back pain
Review: I had a ruptured disk at age 20. Off work 7 mos. Now I'm 65 and have been limited for years in physical activity. 3 mos ago I had a cat scan so my doc would evaluate me for back surgery. I was getting fed up. Doc wanted me to go to physical therapy before making his decision. I saw 20/20 with John Stausel about Dr. Sarno. I bought the book on your web site. I havent had any back pain since I read the book. I keep it on my night stand and read passages 3 or 4 times per week. I cant ever remember my back feeling this good.
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