Chronic Pain?

I have just finished reading a fascinating book my physiotherapist, Marietta Jordaan, gave me, called The Divided Mind – The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders by Dr John E. Sarno (HarperCollins Publishers, New York. 2006), a professor of Rehabilitation Medicine since 1950. He is the acclaimed author of Mind Over Back Pain, the number one New York Times bestseller Healing Back Pain and the best-selling The Mindbody Prescription.

These books deal largely with what he calls tension myositis syndrome (TMS), a painful psychosomatic disorder afflicting millions. The one I read dealt with the full range of psychosomatic disorders, including gastrointestinal conditions, skin disorders, allergies, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, certain cardiovascular conditions and – believe it or not – cancer too.

What is fascinating, is that the pain in the upper right side (neck-shoulder part) of my trapezius muscle was gone once I read the book! One of the most interesting and important aspects of psychosomatic phenomena is the fact that knowledge and awareness of the process clearly have healing powers. Thousands of people have become pain free simply by reading Dr Sarno’s books. How and why this happens is a mesmerising story.

Thinking about TMS, even when we are well, serves as preventive medicine. Those who are able to do this find they can nip in the bud many aches and pains. When this occurs it is extremely empowering, as we recognise the control we have over our bodies. This also helps to solidify the new belief systems about how psychology affects our physical being. Besides, knowing how awesome and complex the brain is, doesn’t it seem rather short-sighted to discount the role that the brain can play with regard to bodily sensations? After all, the Creator of the universe made us! You blush when you experience an uncomfortable emotion; heart beat increases when you get a fright; your stomach pulls in knots (and starts aching?!) when you experience a lot of stress.  What about the rest of your body? Don’t you think you can control the above reactions if you really focus on it (or know the reason behind it)? Take note, it has nothing to do with positive thinking!

By reading these books, you will acquire the tools necessary to begin understanding chronic pain and illness and how to return to pain-free health; discover the importance of psychological factors in medical treatment; get a clear understanding of the relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind as well as the mind and the body; learn why understanding the nature of mindbody disorders is the first and most important step on the path to healing. 

If you seek a solution to pain, study this amazing and revolutionary approach. I did, and it changed my life. The worst that can happen is that you will lose a few bucks buying the book!  If you want to follow this blog by email free of charge, please submit your email address below or on the top right hand side of this page.