Thursday, July 29, 2010

A mindbody connection to pain?

I wanted to take a little pause in the CBT series to examine a theory that addresses chronic pain. Dr. John Sarno is a professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine in New York. Dr. Sarno has written several books based on his successful cures of back and other chronic pain that he calls Tension Myositis Syndrome. Dr. Sarno believes, based on his work, that many chronic ailments are due to repressed feelings of rage and sadness. He does not suggest that these chronic pain problems are "in the mind" but says that they are very real and that the mind and body cannot he separated. Dr. Sarno's program involves first ruling out any physical acute diagnosis and then partaking in a workshop designed to help people express repressed feelings and educate individuals about this link. I have read two of his books and I admit he makes a very strong case. Either way it is important for people with chronic pain to examine their emotions and express them in a healthy way because this facilitates a reduction in pain. To find out more check out:



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