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Summary: Healed My Carpal Tunnel Syndrome For Good
Review: For four years I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Doctors quickly shoved me in and out of their office with physical therapy, without any relief. I knew my career was over, and I was only 26. After pulling myself out of the gutter, I realized that if I was going to solve this problem, I would have to do it myself.After trying various approaches, I found that extreme heat helped my hands. (That was odd: shouldn't ice decrease swelling and heat increase it?) I also discovered that when I became stressed, my hands got much worse. Finally, when I was on a business trip, I didn't think about my "handicap" once and typed for three hours straight without any problems. It was only after I reminded myself that I should be having pain that the wrist pain returned. At that point, I suspected that my problem was somewhat psychological. I didn't want to believe that-- I wanted to point to something physical like a vitamin deficiency-- but it was the only explanation that fit the facts. Yes, the pain was real. But the doctors failed to answer the one question that was sitting in the back of my mind: why is it that programmers my age can do five time the amount of typing and never have any symptoms at all? There was clealy two problems here: injured hands, and a body that allowed my hands to be so easily injured. What happened to my body that *caused* my hands to be so easily injured? Nobody could answer that until two years later, when someone showed me Sarno's work. This book gave me the answer. It was amazing. All of the research that I had done with my supposed "carpal tunnel syndrome" perfectly fit the symptoms listed in this book. Once I realized that my subconscious and autonomic nervious system was decreasing the blood flow to the affected muscles and nerves (it always felt like someone had wrapped a tournquet around my wrist), it was so startlingly easy to reverse, it makes me wonder how many other pains in my life were generated from this type of scenario. It's a shame that this book is listed under alternative medicine. Sarno's theory is logically sound, and I'm among thousands that are living proof. It was so relieving to discover that I never had a problem with my hands at all. My brain and ANS were simply reacting to the enormous amounts of stress that I was putting on myself, distracting me from what would surely have been a nervous breakdown. Thank you Dr. Sarno for uncovering the other half of my three-year puzzle. My struggle is now over. Thank you for healing my hands for good. Robert Eckstein Author, O'Reilly and Associates
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Summary: One of the greatest self-help books ever written
Review: What can I say about this book accept that this is probably one of the greatest self-help books ever written. The things he says and talks about is genius. I think he is absolutely right on many things especially the concept of ITS ALL IN YOUR HEAD. This concept is amazing and it is true. For example why is back pain, OCD, alcoholism so popular now. The answer is because it take away all of our problems. People don't understand it but our brains want the pain of back pain and the constant mayehm that OCD causes. Just like Ulcers this is the next big thing. I say this to a person. If you have any kind of backpain. Or any kind of psychological ilness read this book. I don't care if you have depression or OCD. Try it. Just try it. This book reminds of another book that was published in 1899. That book was shunned by the medical community for 16 years just like this one is now. That book is now on of the most influential books of all time. That book was written by a psychiatrist. Maybe you remember him. His name was Sigmund Freud and it is called the Interpretation of dreams. Do you see my point?
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Summary: How to Make the Pain DISAPPEAR
Review: Really helped me...The Mind DOES have alot to do with the pain...his ideas really helped me manage my back pain...Another book that helped me and talks about how to make your PAIN DISAPPEAR is "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" a short but very amazing book. They talk about how you can make PAIN as well as emotions DISAPPEAR simply by focusiing ALL your AWARENESS on the feeling or state as it is. IF YOU TRY TO CHANGE IT - it gets worse or sticks around...BUT IF YOU SIMPLY BECOME AWARE OF IT...IT STARTS TO DISAPPEAR... IT WORKS...THEY APPLY IT TO EMOTIONS and all aspects of life in addition to pain control...but the authors do healing body work also...
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Summary: Common-sense pain relief
Review: Why is it that common sense is not so common? Dr. Sarno's book has made a major difference in my life. I had decided that the remainder of my life would be spent with constant muscle spasms and a sedintary life style. I have thrown away the SI belt, resumed walking and swimming, talked to my unconscious mind, and have experienced little muscle pain in my back, legs, and arms since reading the book. Dr. Sarno explains in clear, if somewhat redundant, style exactly what happens when muscles are deprived of oxygen and how anxiety, anger, and fear contribute to muscle spasms -- being diagnosed as degenerative discs, nerve entrapment, etc. My copy is underlined, high lighted, and loaned out. This is revolutionary work that shows immediate and lasting results. Thank you, Dr. Sarno.
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Summary: Closest thing to a miracle cure
Review: This may not literature, but it is a solution that works! I am usually fairly skeptical, but this is the closest thing to a miracle I have ever experienced. I suffered from excruciating back pain - brought on by walking -- ever since I can remember. Up until 4 weeks ago I could not walk for more than 5 minutes without intense pain (chiropractic and traditional medicine notwithstanding). After reading and re-reading this book, I am now walking 60 to 90 minutes per day with nothing more than a little tightness, and even that is slowly disappearing.
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Summary: an eyeopener and question as to whether or not to continue m
Review: much information for me to absorb. Am reading it a second time. Will comment more at a later date. I am interested in contacting someone in southern Orange Country, California, with whom I could consult. Am interested in lectures etc. Appreciate your input. THANKS!
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Summary: This approach has the potential to change modern medicine
Review: I can't praise Dr. Sarno highly enough. I'm a personal trainer, and his treatment program is the only one that I have ever seen work *permanently* for myself and for my clients. Physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, and even surgery are temporary cures at best. I just hope that someday the rest of the medical community will realize how powerful this approach is. Thank heaven for Dr. Sarno!
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Summary: HAS SOME MERIT, BUT DISCREDITS ALL OTHER HELP.
Review: BEING A MEMBER OF THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSION, AND SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC PAIN MYSELF, I FOUND HIS PLAN TO BE A LITTLE NARROW MINDED. IF IT HELPS PEOPLE, THAT'S GREAT, BUT I DON'T SEE WHY HE HAS TO DISCREDIT ALL OTHER FORMS OF HELP. THINGS ARE'NT THAT BLACK AND WHITE, AND HE IS'NT THE CHRONIC SUFFERER'S MESSIAH.
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Summary: Unbelievable! Who would have thought?
Review: I have had back pain for several years, but nothing as severe as a couple of months ago. I could not get out of bed without excruciating pain. I was diagnosed with one severely herniated L-4 disc & L-5 was pretty bad also.After dealing with pain killers, muscle relaxers, anti inflammatories the numbness, pain and uncomfortable feelings were still there. A friend told me about Dr. Sarno & lent me the book, it blew me away! I still have a little pain, but I am definately a firm believer in Dr. Sarno's theory. My children are thrilled now because I can drive & sit down, and I don't yell any more, or for that matter cry, anymore! I wanted to see Dr. Sarno, but for $800 for the visit, I felt the book was just fine!!!
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Summary: Wow! Use the "Prescription" and you will be changed forever!
Review: I read this book after hearing Howard Stern's praises, and decided that if it could change Howard's life, it could change mine too. Little did I know how much it would change my life. The theories and ideas in this book have less to do with back and muscle pain, than they do with the emotional pain most people feel and suffer from every day of their lives. Read this book and substitute anxiety, depression, addictions, or whatever you suffer from, in place of the back pain and TMS references. The resulting realization will make you aware of how much we are "programmed" by society, and you will unleash the true potential that lies within all of us. It is no wonder that this book and it's principles are rejected by establishment sorts--you will discover how much you don't need them! The book could have been written in a less disjointed form, but if you can get through it, the results will be amazing. I have purchased this book for friends and family members and we will be moving forward in the new millenium whole, healthy, and happy!
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