Customer Reviews

Pain Free for Life: How to Heal Yourself Naturally Without Drugs or Surgery

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Darrell Stoddard does a fine job of explaining the Traditional Chinese Medical theory of pain to Westerners in simple Western terms. His criticisms of Allopathic (drugs and surgery) Medicine are pretty sound, as is a great deal of the health/lifestyle advice in this book. I found it curious that the glowing reviews from doctors quoted in the book don't include Chinese Medicine practitioners, but more traditional MD's and DO's. As an acupuncturist with training in Auriculotherapy (the technique Mr. Stoddard is trained in) I learned nothing from reading this book, and found the hype wearisome. However, if you don't have Chinese Medicine or Auriculotherapy training, you may learn quite a lot from this book. If you do have such training, but aren't an expert in modern toxic issues, then you may also learn something from this book.

I really appreciated Mr. Stoddard's ideas regarding some modern problems, including mineral deficiency/dehydration, aluminum toxicity and Alzheimer's, chlorine in the tap water, and other similar issues. I didn't agree with every word, but it is presented as theory rather than fact, and much of it coincides with my own discoveries in treating chemically sensitive/allergic individuals. For many, the ideas in this book would be cutting-edge and mind-expanding in a most positive way.

Mr. Stoddard's treatments involve Auriculotherapy, which requires a professional specialist to administer, and his tape invention, which anyone can do themselves. There is no substitute for a skilled practitioner in treating challenging medical problems. However, if you don't have access to such a person, or can't afford it, I expect the tape could help you help yourself. I doubt that people treating themselves would be likely to get the kind of results that are described in the case studies presented in this book. The only real advantage I can see to using the tape over being treated by a skilled professional is that you can do it yourself. This book is directed towards people who do not know about or understand Chinese Medicine or Auriculotherapy.

As in most books written by people who are not writers, the writing could be better. Occasional sentences don't actually make sense, and the overkill hyperbole only detracts from the credibility of the message. Though the book claims that addressing blockage of meridians treats the source of pain (it does), no mention is made of treating the cause of the blockage. Though he claims to be addressing the root of the problem, he is not, but at least this approach comes closer to treating the root than allopathic approaches. Despite the book's flaws, this book could be a real education for people suffering from pain.

I absolutely loved Darrell Stoddard's book. He makes complex concepts about Chinese medicine accessible to the layman. He also has some interesting theories re: the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Absolutely worth your time.

I have just finished reading "Pain Free For Life" and was thrilled with the book! I couldn't put it down. I was captivated about the way many of today's diseases, pain, and other ailments were described and how we can prevent them and heal them. Dr. Stoddard wrote in a down-to-earth manner making the information very understandable and most useful. Pain has never been described like this before and it made total sense. I am trying to take more control of my health and "Pain Free For Life" was a wonderful, easy, educational experience. Pain Free For Life gave many every-day examples about how we can alter our habits in such little ways that make BIG differences to ease or delete pain and disease from our lives - common pain and common diseases. This is not brain surgery-type reading. This is real life reading. I highly recommend it. I even got my 72-year old mother to read it and take action. THAT speaks volumes! When you read this book and implement just a few of the very sound concepts that are based on published medical literature, you will feel a positive difference in your life! I have to say that this is one of the best health books that I've ever read. It will be a staple that I'll refer to and share the information for many years to come.

I bought this book after seeing it recommended in Kevin Trudeau's book Natural Cures. I was a little skeptical of the hype in Kevin's book, but since it did get me started in my extensive research of natural health and healing, to me it was worth the read. I did learn a lot, but still feel he intended to send you to his website to make more money off you, which I did not fall for. Anyway, I thought Darrell Stoddard's book was a complete [...]. It says on the cover, how to heal YOURSELF naturally, and then most of the book is spent talking about Chinese medicine (which I already read about in other books, this is not what this book is supposed to be about) and then he tells you in the end you need his special Biotape to heal yourself, and proceeds to direct you to his website. He tries to sell other things in his book as well. He does toss in a few tips about drinking plenty of water to keep your tissues hydrated and making the needed electrical connections, and eliminating caffeine, duh, all the usual advice most people already have heard on Oprah. But how to heal yourself to be pain free for life, by buying his one use Biotape? Come on. That is very misleading at best. Most people think the word naturally means you don't need to run out and buy a patented product to do it. This is not much different than a patented drug. [...]I am also disappointed in Trudeau for recommending this book, tells me a lot about him, too.

I have personally talked with Dr. who wrote this book...and used the protocol he recommends. I have had great success and treated severe knee pain without drugs. I have also used prolotherapy along with the biotape discussed in this book, and avoided knee replacement. I thank Dr. Stoddard every day of my life, and urge anyone with pain to try this. Works for back pain, too. Please do not hesitate to try this...and it is something you can do as needed. I also use knee supports he has intermittently whenever I am hurting. I tell everyone about this!!