Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection

( 46 )
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up in Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Paperback
$8.25
BN.com price
$13.99 List Price (Save 41%)
Marketplace (New and Used)
from
$0.99
$13.99 List Price (Save 93%)
Usually ships within 1-2 business days
All (306)  
Used (290)  
New (16)  
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 31
Showing 1 – 10 of 306 (31 pages)
$0.99
(Save 93%)
BooksForGoodwillGetJobs
Seller since 2011

Feedback rating:

(141)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

Acceptable
1991 Paperback Fair The book is clean but may have markings or highlights througout.

Ships from: St Paul, MN

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$0.99
(Save 93%)
Alibris NV
Seller since 2005

Feedback rating:

(18844)

Condition: Good
1991-02-01 Trade Paperback Good Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 208 p. Contains: Illustrations.

Ships from: Sparks, NV

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$0.99
(Save 93%)
Wiz Kids Books
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(1003)

Condition: Good
Complete and clean. Good reading copy. Light edge wear to cover

Ships from: Irmo, SC

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$0.99
(Save 93%)
Once Upon A Time Books AR
Seller since 2005

Feedback rating:

(2246)

Condition: Acceptable
1991 Paperback Fair This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or may show heavier signs of use. It may also be ex-library or missing its dust jacket. We ... ship every order promptly. Read more Show Less

Ships from: Tontitown, AR

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$0.99
(Save 93%)
Alibris NV
Seller since 2005

Feedback rating:

(18844)

Condition: Good
1991-02-01 Trade Paperback Good Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 208 p. Contains: Illustrations.

Ships from: Sparks, NV

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$1.00
(Save 93%)
oncesoldtales
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(2207)

Condition: Good
A used copy. Pages are somewhat worn. Cover worn. Worn edges and corners. Binding solid and tight.

Ships from: Kent, WA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$1.00
(Save 93%)
oncesoldtales
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(2207)

Condition: Good
A used copy. Pages are somewhat worn. Cover worn. Worn edges and corners. Binding solid and tight.

Ships from: Kent, WA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$1.00
(Save 93%)
oncesoldtales
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(2207)

Condition: Good
A used copy. Pages worn with water damage. Cover worn with creases. Worn edges and corners. Binding solid and tight.

Ships from: Kent, WA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$1.00
(Save 93%)
oncesoldtales
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(2207)

Condition: Good
A used copy. Pages are somewhat worn. Cover worn. Worn edges and corners. Binding solid and tight.

Ships from: Kent, WA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$1.00
(Save 93%)
oncesoldtales
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(2207)

Condition: Acceptable
An acceptable used copy. Pages are somewhat worn. Cover worn with some creases. Worn edges and corners. Binding somewhat weak and cracked.

Ships from: Kent, WA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
Page 1 of 31
Showing 1 – 10 of 306 (31 pages)
Close
Sort by
NOOK Book (eBook)
$6.99
BN.com price

Available on NOOK devices and apps

  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for iPad
  • NOOK for iPhone
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK for Android (Tablet)
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac

Need a NOOK? Explore Now

More About This Book

Overview

Dr. John E. Sarno is a medical pioneer whose program has helped thousands of thousands of people overcome their back conditions--without or drugs or dangerous surgery. Now, using his grounbreaking research into TMS (Tension Mytostis Syndrome), Dr. Sarno goes one step further: after identifyig stress and other psychological factors in back pain, he demonstrates how many of his patiens have gone on to heal themselves without exercise or other physical therapy. Find out:



  • Why self-motivated and successful people are prone to TMS
  • How anxiety and repressed anger trigger muscle spasms
  • How people "train themselves' to experience back pain
  • How you may get relief from back pain within two to six weeks by recognizing TMS and its causes
With case histories and the results of in-depth mind-body research, Dr. Sarno describes how patients recognize the emotional roots of their TMS and sever the connections between mental and physical pain... and how, just by reading this book, you may start recovering from back pain today.

The renowned author of the classic Mind Over Back Pain has written a new guide examining revolutionary treatments to relieve pain without exercise, medication, or physical therapy.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
This best seller was first published in 1991, but no one ever bid for the audio rights. Now, Sarno will narrate his own work. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780446392303
  • Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
  • Publication date: 1/18/1991
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 208
  • Sales rank: 23,945
  • Product dimensions: 5.25 (w) x 8.00 (h) x 0.62 (d)

Meet the Author

Dr. John E. Sarno is a professor of Clinical Rehabilitation at New York University School of Medicine and attending physician at the Howard A. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center.

Read an Excerpt



Chapter One

I have never seen a patient with pain in the neck, shoulders, back or buttocks who didn't believe that the pain was due to an injury, a "hurt" brought on by some physical activity. "I hurt myself while running (playing basketball, tennis, bowling)." "The pain started after I lifted my little girl" or "when I tried to open a stuck window." "Ten years ago I was involved in a hit-from-behind auto accident and I have had recurrent back pain ever since."

The idea that pain means injury or damage is deeply ingrained in the American consciousness. Of course, if the pain starts while one is engaged in a physical activity it's difficult not to attribute the pain to the activity. (As we shall see later, that is often deceiving.) But this pervasive concept of the vulnerability of the back, of ease of injury, is nothing less than a medical catastrophe for the American public, which now has an army of semidisabled men and women whose lives are significantly restricted by the fear of doing further damage or bringing on the dreaded pain again. One often hears, "I'm afraid of hurting myself again so I'm going to be very careful of what I do."

In good faith, this idea has been fostered by the medical profession and other healers for years. It has been assumed that neck, shoulder, back and buttock pain is due to injury or disease of the spine and associated structures or incompetence of muscles and ligaments surrounding these structures — without scientific validation of these diagnostic concepts.

On the one hand, I have had gratifying success in the treatment of these disorders for seventeen years based on a very differentdiagnosis. It has been my observation that the majority of these pain syndromes are the result of a condition in the muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments brought on by tension. And the point has been proven by the very high rate of success achieved with a treatment program that is simple, rapid, and thorough.

Medicine's preoccupation with the spine draws on fundamental medical philosophy and training. Modern medicine has been primarily mechanical and structural in orientation. The body is viewed as an exceedingly complex machine and illness as a malfunction in the machine brought about by infection, trauma, inherited defects, degeneration and, of course, cancer. At the same time medical science has had a love affair with the laboratory, believing that nothing is valid unless it can be demonstrated in that arena. No one would dispute the essential role the laboratory has played in medical progress (witness penicillin and insulin for example).

Unfortunately, some things are difficult to study in the laboratory. One of these is the mind and its organ, the brain.

The emotions do not lend themselves to test tube experiments and measurement and so modern medical science has chosen to ignore them, buttressed by the conviction that emotions have little to do with health and illness anyway. Hence, the majority of practicing physicians do not consider that emotions play a significant role in causing physical disorders, though many would acknowledge that they might aggravate a "physically" caused illness. In general, physicians feel uncomfortable in dealing with a problem that is related to the emotions. They tend to make a sharp distinction between "the things of the mind" and "the things of the body," and only feel comfortable with latter.

Peptic ulcer of the duodenum is a good example. Although some physicians would dispute the idea, there is a fairly wide acceptance among practicing doctors that ulcers are caused primarily by "tension." Contrary to logic, however, the major focus in treatment is "medical," not "psychological," and drugs are prescribed to neutralize or prevent the secretion of acid.

But failure to treat the primary cause of the disorder is poor medicine; it is symptomatic treatment, something we were warned about in medical school. But since most physicians see their role only as treating the body, the psychological part of the problem is neglected, even though it's the basic cause.

In fairness, some physicians make an attempt to say something about tension, but it's often of a superficial nature like, "You ought to take it easy; you're working too hard."

Pain syndromes look so "physical" it is particularly difficult for doctors to consider the possibility that they might be caused by psychological factors, and so they cling to the structural explanation. In doing so, however, they are chiefly responsible for the pain epidemic that now exists in this country.

If structural abnormalities don't cause pain in the shoulder, back and buttocks, what does? Studies and clinical experience of many years suggest that these common pain syndromes are the result of a physiologic alteration in certain muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments which is called the Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS). It is a harmless but potentially very painful disorder that is the result of specific, common emotional situations. It is the purpose of this book to describe TMS in detail.

The ensuing sections of this chapter will discuss who gets it, in what parts of the body it occurs, the various patterns of pain and the overall impact of TMS on people's health and daily lives. Following chapters will talk about the psychology of TMS (which is where it all begins), its physiology and how it is treated. Conventional diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed and I will conclude with a chapter on the important interaction between mind and body in matters of health and illness.


Who Gets TMS?

One might almost say that TMS is a cradle-to-grave disorder since it does occur in children, though probably not until the age of five or six. Its manifestation in children is, of course, different from what occurs in adults. I am convinced that what are referred to as "growing pains" in children are manifestations of TMS.

The cause of "growing pains" has never been identified but physicians have always been comfortable in reassuring mothers that the condition is harmless. It occurred to me one day while listening to a young mother describe her daughter's severe leg pain in the middle of the night that what the child had experienced was very much like an adult attack of sciatica, and since this was clearly one of the most common manifestations of TMS, "growing pains" might very well represent TMS in children.

Little wonder that no one has been able to explain the nature of "growing pains" since TMS is a condition that usually leaves no physical evidence of its presence. There is a temporary constriction of blood vessels, bringing on the symptoms, and then all returns to normal.

The emotional stimulus for the attack in children is no different from that in adults — anxiety. One might say that the attack in a child is a paranightmare. It is a substitute for a nightmare, a command decisions by the mind to produce a painful reaction rather than have the individual experience a painful emotion, which is what happens in adults as well.

At the other end of this spectrum, I have seen the syndrome in men and women in their eighties. There appears to be no age limit, and why would there be? As long as one can generate emotions one is susceptible to the disorder.

What are the ages when it is most common, and can we learn anything from those statistics? In a follow-up survey carried out in 1982, 177 patients were interviewed as to their then current status following treatment for TMS. (See page 87 for results of the survey.) We learned that 77 percent of the patients fell between the ages of thirty and sixty, 9 percent were in their twenties, and there were only four teenagers (2 percent). At the other end of the spectrum, only 7 percent were in their sixties and 4 percent in their seventies.

These statistics suggest very strongly that the cause of most back pain is emotional, for the years between thirty and sixty are the ages that fall into what I would call the years of responsibility. This is the period in one's life when one is under the most strain to succeed, to provide and excel, and it is logical that this is when one would experience the highest incidence of TMS. Further, if degenerative changes in the spine (osteoarthritis, disc degeneration and herniation, facet arthrosis and spinal stenosis, for instance) were a primary cause of back pain, these statistics wouldn't fit at all. In that case, a gradual increase in incidence from the twenties on would occur, with the highest incidence in the oldest people.


To be sure, this is only circumstantial evidence, but it is highly suggestive.

So the answer to the question "Who gets TMS?" is "Anybody." But it is certainly most common in the middle years of life, the years of responsibility. Let's now take a look at how TMS manifests itself.

Customer Reviews
Average Rating 4
( 46 )

Rating Distribution

  • ( 26 )
  • ( 8 )
  • ( 6 )
  • ( 3 )
  • ( 3 )
If you've bought this product, tell the world how you liked it.
Write a Review
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 46 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 28, 2008

    I Also Recommend:

    Worth a look.

    I think this book will be most helpful for people who have been suffering with back pain for a long period of time (months to years). Most back pain lasts only a short time, and if it persists, you probably either have a really serious medical problem (that is usually obvious) or there are psychological factors involved.

    If you've been through the conventional medical system with your back pain for a long time with no satisfaction, have had many physical treatments (such as heat, massage, manipulation, etc.) with no relief, AND have had serious back pain issues ruled out, then I say it would be well worth your while to at least check out this book. While there are true physical causes of back pain that are not psychological, this book will make you think about any stress related issues that could be a part of your pain. Other self-help books I liked include Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff. Good luck!

    7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted March 23, 2010

    changed my life

    What can I say that everyone here already has? Protruding L5, couldn't sit at work, sit in the car without pain. Then the lists of couldn'ts just kept growing. This book was recommended by my doctor, read it in a couple hours and decided to change my way of thinking. It works! I sit all day at work, I drive, I ski, I go to spinning, I can do anything! If it starts to creep back in, I become aware of my stress levels, talk to myself, breathe, mediatate, and it's gone. Please have an open mind and get this book!

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted February 24, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    READ THIS BEFORE TAKING MORE MEDICINE FOR PAIN!

    This book offers very well presented information into the "real" reasons for back pain as expressed by John Sarno.
    It provides solid information into the instinctive responses our body goes through during physical and/or emotional stimulus (either positive or negative)and the process into pain.
    Highly recommended.

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 16, 2007

    This book changed my life...

    I had chronic lower back pain for about five years. During that time, I sought treatment from chiropractors and MD's. Additionally, my mother and brother are both disabled because of back pain. After reading this book, the pain started to subside and now I can say I'm pain free! I highly recommend this book to anyone that suffers chronic back pain.

    2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 5, 2007

    More for long-term, chronic back pain.

    Don't buy this book if you have had back pain less than a couple of months or so. Studies clearly show that the majority of people with back pain get better in a month or two- regardless of what kind of treatment they get- its just the nature of back pain. On the other hand, if you're a long-term, chronic back pain sufferer, and have tried many different kinds of back pain treatments without relief, then this book will definitely be worth your while to read. There are definitely links between back pain and psychological issues according to the literature and this is an area that could be well worth your time exploring.

    2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 23, 2011

    Did nothing for me

    A good friend of mine who had suffered back probkems, as I do, advised me to read this book. I read it, thought the premise was interesting. but it did absolutely nothing to alleviate my back pain - which confirmed my suspicion that the root cause of many back problems IS joint or disc-related, not muscular like Dr. Sarno suugests.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 26, 2009

    Life changing book-Read this before considering any spinal surgery!

    It ia an amazing, life-changing read. Once you can open up your mind and realize that physical pain can manifest itself from unresolved psychological issues, it is quite liberating. It's not as though you need to realize some great psychological scar from childhood...it can be as simple as realizing that an issue or conflict with a co-worker or family member can be triggering physical pain becuase you subconsciously let it. You also don't need to resolve all your problems--but rather simply be open and aware that many common physical ailments can be the result of this subconscious act. It's something you may need to practice and re-read the book if pain should come back but it is quite amaazing to realize that you can control many of the pain issues you experience. Be open to the thought and you'll be very happy with the results!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted January 19, 2012

    Highly Recommended

    My doctor told me about the book. It has been very effective in relieving my neck/back pain.

    I have purchased extra books for my friends and family!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 6, 2009

    This Book Really Helped Me!

    Dr. Sarno uses example after example to convince the reader to overcome skepticism and consider the connection between back pain and the suppression of anger and anxiety. Dr. Sarno's experiences over many years with his numerous patients provide very compelling evidence and made a believer out of me. Two years of chronic back pain ended abruptly when I was about half-way through this book. What more can one say as an endorsement?!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 13, 2006

    Out of pain in 2 weeks - permanent cure

    Doubled over in pain I went hobbling into the local Barnes & Noble and found this book. A quick read and I knew this was my story. I jumped out of bed and got back into my gardening activities immediately and back to a fully active life. Within 2 weeks the pain was gone. It returned intermittently for a while but I have now been pain-free for more than 10 years. I have helped many others through this book. Dr Sarno saved my life.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 22, 2006

    this book saved me

    This is my first online book review ever. I'm only taking the time because this book saved my health. I was a total non-believer regarding the whole concept of psychosomatic injuries before this book basically cured me. 6 months of pain, sufferering and depression ended in one week for me. After reading and buying in to this book, I put my fears behind me and was back charging down the basketball court 5 days later. Hard to believe I know, but it also worked perfectly for a great friend of mine. We were both in our mid 20s at the time. If you match the personality type described in one of the early chapters this could book could make all the difference. Give it a shot!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 16, 2003

    Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection

    If you suffer from back pain or any kind of pain, I command you to buy this book! I am not one to beleive in these types of things in general, but this book saved my life. I am a mother of two little girls, and have overcome my pain due to a 'herniated disc.' I read this book two years ago, was pain free within a week, and have been perfectly fine ever since. Please read this! If you have read it and are unsure, please contact me with any questions. I am sure I can help...Good luck on your short path to feeling great!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 4, 2003

    Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection

    I was a young mother of two babies when I found this book. I now come back to write this review two years later because I want to tell everyone that my horrible pain from a herniated disc is still gone. I am not usually one to beleive in these kinds of things, but Dr. Sarno has changed my life.I never even worry that something may hurt my back. If you have back pain or know someone who does, you MUST get this book. Remember, I used to be a skeptic too. IT REALLY WORKS! Good luck..

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 8, 2003

    An interesting read.

    While other back pain books promote stretching, strengthening, good posture, and such, this book takes a quite different direction- do not do any of those things, just realize that your pain is a tactic your body is using to distract you from some psychological stressor and you'll get better. I recommend this book more to people with back pain of a long duration that have tried everything rather than those with acute back pain.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 9, 2003

    Wow!

    Reviewer: A reader from Seattle, Washington This book saved my life! For five and half years I suffered from back and leg pain. I tried everything under the Sun and the Moon! Nothing worked, until a friend told me about Healing Back Pain. It worked like magic. It's been six months and I am doing great. Don't wait another day. Get it today. If you have read it and need additional help get Rapid Recovery from Back and Neck Pain and Back Sense. These two books also can give you valuable information. Don't wait for the doctors to cure you. Take charge of your health.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 29, 2002

    Dr Sarno Changed My Life!

    Several years ago I would have laughed at the ideas Dr. Sarno talks about in his book. Now I have nothing but praise for Dr. Sarno. I saw seven doctors in two years after wrist injuries that never healed and nearly debilitated me with daily pain. Looking in the bookstore in desperation, I found Dr. Sarno's book. I couldn't believe how well his theory fit my case and within a few weeks my life became painfree. I still have various neck and back pains that pop up, but now that I am aware of TMS it will never control my life again. I am a registered nurse and believe in the scientific method, but there is nothing harmful in Dr. Sarno's ideas. He stresses that medical care should be sought out to rule out major problems before trying his method. There is huge untapped potential in the mind body connection. It's a shame that more doctors can't seem to accept this fact. Kudo's to Dr. Sarno for going against conventional thinking and helping thousands of people claim their lives back.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 29, 2002

    Very good!

    Healing Back Pain is truly a work of genius. It is a groundbreaking work that has to be recognized for how it has helped me as well as thousands of others get well. For those of us struggling to get out of the maze of back pain diagnoses and treatments, this is the time to keep an open mind and try Sarno's approach. It worked for me.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 11, 2002

    Page 22.

    In this book, the author writes that most back pain is the result of psychological stressors. In other words, the back pain is just a distraction to get your mind off of something that is really bothering you. He argues that most physical findings have very little to do with back pain, things such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, and so on. The book got me thinking about how stress can affect back pain, that is for sure, however I have read a book that is a direct contradiction to this book. In "The Multifidus Back Pain Solution" (available here at Barnes and Noble too) the author makes an extremely convincing argument based on a plethora of studies, that there is indeed a physical finding present in back pain patients that is not found in pain free backs-- abnormal multifidus muscles. In light of these findings, the basis upon which mind-body back pain books rest appears to be on very thin ground. Stress's influence should not be ignored, but let's not let the pendulum swing too far in any direction.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 8, 2002

    Well Written and Convincing

    I have seen several different negative reviews of this book. I found it to be very thought provoking and controversial, if not downright eye opening. His description of the course of medical research being biased by the mind/body dichotomy of Rene DesCartes was right on the money. So far the criticisms I have read on this and other websites either reflect a total misunderstanding of the text or are simply iconoclastic. Someone says they need to see the clinical trials to be convinced. That is all good and well, and certainly we would not want to see the FDA willy nilly approving new drugs for the market without them. However, due to the controversial nature of Dr. Sarno's thesis, that is probably not realistic until the medical establishment, which tends to be extremely conservative, starts to listen to his arguments and then gets funding for such studies. Having spent nineteen months in India back in the late 70s, I was able to begin to see our culture through their eyes. For that reason I can relate to Dr. Sarno's comments about our culture being one fraught with anxiety. Therefore I do not see why anyone would be suprised to hear that various maladies such as back pain could be rooted in stress and repressed emotions, unless they are either in denial or just plain unable to recognize such factors in the society in which they live. Kudos to Dr. Sarno. History may just well show his discoveries to be on a par with those of Louis Pasteur.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 13, 2002

    Well written, but I'm not so easily convinced.

    I found this book to be very interesting. It proposes that the true cause of back pain is psychological in nature, that the back pain is there to distract you from psychological issues. Evidence is provided in the form of the author's own consecutive case series of patients (whether they were assessed by an independent observer to avoid observer bias we don't know) and a myriad of examples of structural findings (such as herniated discs) that while abnormal, are found a lot in people with no back pain so they couldn't possibly be the cause of back pain. The obvious flaw here, of course, is the fact that it works the other way around too. There are lots of people that are stressed, anxious, and have repressed emotions that have no back pain either. Looks like a poor way to prove a theory of back pain if you ask me. Another issue that pops up is the lack of controlled studies to support this claim. None exist. Thank god we don't use this kind of approach with things such as surgery or medication but I guess the book thinks it's alright to do so with back pain treatments, I mean what's really the harm anyway? I'm sorry, but that's just poor medicine. Readers should be asking themselves why a professor who works/is affiliated with the prestigious Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in New York, an institution that has been successful in attracting more than 60 million dollars in research funds, has yet to conduct or fund a proper test of the books theory with a controlled trial. Now that would give the book some oomph and for sure silence some of the critics. However if it failed, I'm not sure we'd see any future books either that advocate this theory. In conclusion, I cannot even begin to compare the author to Louis Pasteur who is quoted as saying, "Imagination should give wings to our thoughts but we always need decisive experimental proof, and when the moment comes to draw conclusions and to interpret the gathered observations, imagination must be checked and documented by factual results of the experiment."

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 46 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)
500 character limit