Do you have back, neck, or shoulder pain that keeps recurring or won't go away? Does back pain keep you from living a full life? If so, you may be suffering from TMS (Tension Myositis Syndrome)—and you don't have to take it anymore!
Dr. John E. Sarno is a medical pioneer whose mind-body approach has helped patients overcome their back conditions—without drugs or dangerous surgery. After identifying stress and other psychological factors in back pain, he demonstrates how many of his patients have then gone on to heal themselves without exercise or other physical therapy. With case histories and the results of in-depth mind-body research, Dr. Sarno's Healing Back Pain describes how patients recognize the emotional roots of their TMS and sever the connections between mental and physical pain.
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"Fascinating and easy to read. I really like and believe in the idea that the mind has so much power over the body. I also approve of the idea that many of the illnesses that doctor's can't explain could have their origins in the unconscious mind. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone."
— Cayenne (5 out of 5 stars)
“My life before Dr. Sarno was filled with excruciating back and shoulder pain. For twenty years I also suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder and thought my back pain was due to my height or some sort of spine problem and that my OCD was a chemical imbalance and only treatable with medication. But all my thoughts were wrong. Imagine the miracle in my life when in a matter of weeks my back pain disappeared. Imagine my shock when I applied Dr. Sarno's principles and never suffered a single symptom again. Quite simply - I owe Dr. Sarno a lot.
— Howard SternFor fifteen years, my life revolved around my back. I took time off from work, conducted meetings lying on the floor and slept with ice bags. Could this be psychogenic? I had considered Dr. Sarno's ideas preposterous, but ten years ago I was talked into seeing him. I haven't had back problems since. If Dr. Sarno is right a about other psychogenic pain, America is wasting billions of dollars. What a tragedy.
— John Stossel, correspondent, 20/20John Sanro has changed my life and the lives of all the people to whom I have recommended him. He was healing patients with the mind-body connection long before anyone else I know. He is a true miracle worker.
— Ann Bancroft" I read this book to my wife 25 years ago and she has not had one reoccurrence of her debilitating back pain.She would have recurrence of her back pain which left her unable to do anything and she has not had one reoccurrence since learning of this issue .Sarno nails it!!! "
— George Robson, 10/24/2021" First reaction - hmmm, this is an arrogant one! Just talking to him can make your pain go away. He claims to have been successfully treating, for over 24 years, an emotionally induced physical disorder know as Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS). Sarno is a professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine, not a pyschiatrist, or a psychologist, but most of the references he has are to well known specialists in both areas. His focus is back pain, mostly lower back pain, so not much of it relates to the chronic pain of fibromyalgia that I deal with, but he does make some very good points. When we are angry, stressed, or anxious there is often a physical reaction to these emotions. His therapies may indeed work with some folks. When I heard he treated Howard Stern I laughed out loud! No stress in that man's life at all! :-) I wanted to review it because I do think it is a book worth looking at by anyone who deal with chronic pain and functions in a high stress environment as some of his techniques and ideas could prove to be helpful. "
— Ruth, 2/17/2014" This book states what many others do, but in a more comprehensive way. It'a a little jargony, but the information in it is very well presented. "
— Christine, 2/10/2014" Seems like good information, but lacking in practical application. "
— Kimberly, 1/29/2014" In order for this method of pain relief to work, you have to continually re-read the book. "
— Doris-jean, 12/24/2013" Sarno's understanding of the psychogensis of a plethora of chronic pain conditions is brilliant, original and absolutely true. "
— Justin, 10/28/2013" gave up; not that interesting. maybe will pick it up again sometime. "
— Farrell, 10/6/2013" An interesting theory, but he spends what felt like too long justifying it, only at the very end talking about how those affected might improve their problems. You can pretty much skip most of the middle section unless you are a doctor or psychologist. "
— Kris, 9/11/2013" I always thought they were oversimplifying when they said it was all in my head.Who knew? "
— Liz, 8/16/2013" This book saved my life! "
— Carolyn, 8/10/2013" This can change your life! "
— Victoriaalee1, 7/15/2013" I'm excited to believe my issues with RSI are psychosomatic. Now about the Freudian notions of repressed rage...I can't say that part was convincing. "
— David, 7/12/2013" I would recommend the Divided Mind, also by Dr. Sarno. It is more in depth . . . "
— Marianne, 4/29/2013" Flipped through it. So boring. So inapplicable. Such hooey. "
— Laura, 4/27/2013" read both this book and "healing back pain". i think he has a lot of people figured out. if only they knew these books existed. "
— Dawn, 3/27/2013" Very good for anyone in chronic pain. Read it for work. "
— Gilian, 1/26/2013" This book changed my life in such an amazing way! If you live in any kind of pain, this is a great read! "
— Brooke, 9/27/2012" A lot of Freud to swallow in one sitting. "
— Deb, 9/22/2012" If you have back pain or any other pain you think may be the result of stress, read this book! "
— Holly, 9/20/2012" The thinking behind this is solid - I'm sold, but the writing? Meh. Only need to read the first 2 chapters and the last portion, but if it cures the pain ... "
— Heather, 6/27/2012" Parts of this book are like watching paint dry, but since I found the topic fascinating, it mostly made up for it. Just read part 1, skim part 2, and read part 3. Had I done that to begin with I would have been done with this book a lot sooner. "
— Nate, 6/19/2012" Interesting concept but it didn't help me. "
— Lauren, 12/16/2011" I have all sorts of pains in my body that are pretty much unexplained, including chronic headaches. This book has helped me deal with these pains. I suggest this book to anyone who has issues with pain. It is one of those things that might not work for everyone but I say it is worth a try. "
— Megan, 11/1/2011" This book has changed my life. Thank you Pam, for sharing it with me..Eternally grateful to you!!! "
— Amy, 7/18/2011" i have not finished the book or fully applied the methodology to my life yet, but it is a fascinating concept and i am definitely intrigued and giving it a chance. "
— Emily, 7/6/2011" I truly believe Dr Sarno's theory. Now comes the hard work. "
— Irina, 3/6/2011" Dr. Sarno totally has my number. I dip into this book or one of his other offerings therapeutically whenever I start to get an ominous twinge or ache. Good to have on hand right next to your Merck Manual. "
— Ruth, 2/16/2011" The title should be: Think and heal pain. It sounds a bit too good to be true. His claim? Chronic pain is a mental disorder. It's very persuasive, but he needs more study. "
— Dallin, 2/12/2011" A mind-body connection is certainly within the realm of reason, but the author chooses to use anecdotes and surveys rather than clinical studies to convince the reader of his results. Not very convincing, if you ask me. "
— Jeffrey, 12/20/2010" My chronic back pain went away after I read this book and hasn't been back since. I recommend it to everyone who suffers from back pain. "
— Eelnus, 8/19/2010" This book changed my life. It was a huge key piece of relieving severe back pain I had for years. "
— Jessica, 6/26/2010" I read this book with an open mind and believe it did make a difference in my back pain. Eventually the pain came back so maybe I need to re-read it. "
— Barbara, 5/23/2010" A fascinating look at how you can overcome pain in your body with your mind. I think it is a very worthwhile book and I think that I am a believer. "
— Adam, 4/30/2010" Very interesting idea. Still trying it. Not working yet. "
— Deb, 2/3/2010" Talks about the Mind Body connection and how you can heal your back pain without any meds or physio. This has worked successfully for many people including myself. <br/> "
— Khuram, 1/13/2010" Excellent advice that explains why certain back problems don't have a structural reason to cause pain, and instead the mind does it. "
— Meryl, 1/4/2010" Am finally reading this book after a friend suggested it years ago. I'm hoping it will put an end to my back pain. <br/> <br/>Update 2/10: This book is amazing. It has "cured" me of my back pain. "
— Michelle, 8/25/2009" Cured my back and arm pain after years of chronic pain. "
— Fiona, 8/13/2009" people have been trying to get me to read this book for years and i dismissed it as hocus pocus. but i have to say, his arguments resonated with me and seemed to have reasonable medical support. i hope it helps me "
— Deirdre, 8/7/2009" My father-in-law gave me this book and I wasn't sure what to think about it at first. But, I've tried what Dr. Sarno suggests and it really seems to help. It's an interesting concept that is worth a read if you have recurring back pain yourself. "
— Michele, 7/29/2009John E. Sarno, MD, is professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine, New York University School of Medicine, and attending physician at the Howard A. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Medical Center. He has been practicing medicine since 1950. He is also the acclaimed author of several medical books.