I am not exaggerating anything in this review. As stated in the title of this review, this book absolutely cured me when nothing else would. As a backdrop, I have been familiar with the mind-body principle (also known as TMS) for over 20 years. When I was 18 I was in a car accident and severely injured my back. I had a MRI, which showed two herniated discs, went to physical therapy for 18 months, went to a chiropractor numerous times, had countless acupuncture sessions and was considering surgery because nothing was working. I was in absolute pain for 18 months with no relief at all. I then came across Dr. Sarno's Book, "Healing Back Pain" in the book store and read it with an open mind. Suddenly, my back started getting better, and within about a month, I was pain free. That was over twenty years ago. I have slight back pain about once a year, but it only lasts about an hour because I immediately apply the mind-body principle. I have absolutely no restrictions due to my back and can play any sport completely pain free.
Fast forward to October 2009, which is when I suffered severe injury to my Achilles tendon as a result of an overuse sports injury. Specifically, I went on a very long bike ride and the next day I had severe pain at my Achilles tendon. I went to one of the top Orthopedic Surgeons in Chicago who specializes in ankles, who examined me, took x-rays and diagnosed me with Achilles tendinitis. He give me stretches and strengthening exercises to do for 6 weeks and told me I should be fine. I did those stretches and exercise religiously. Well, my Achilles did not get any better. In fact, I was in constant pain. It hurt when I walked, when I sat or laid down. The pain never stopped. I was unable to do any physical activity whatsoever. After these stretches and strengthening exercises did not work, I then went to see one of the top Podiatrist in Chicago, who prescribed physical therapy 3 times a week for six weeks. I went to every physical therapy session and there was no improvement. My doctor prescribed six more weeks of physical therapy. Still no improvement. I also went to 12 acupuncture sessions, paid $500 for special insoles for my shoes and went to multiple hour long sports messages for my Achilles. Still, no improvement. This was one of the most frustrating injuries I have every had. I did everything every doctor told me and nothing helped. I was starting to think that I would never be able to be pain free and never run, ride my bike or do any physical activity again, which would be devastating to me since I live a very active lifestyle. It was now seven months since my injury and nothing was working.
I then decided to read Dr. Sarno's book again to see if that would help. In fact, I read all three of them. I figured that since he cured my back, maybe he could cure my Achilles. While I had some relief after reading his books, my pain kept coming back. Don't get me wrong, this is no dig at all on Dr. Sarno's books. If fact, he is a genius and he absolutely saved my life when he cured my back pain. The reason why his books did not help my Achilles problem was my fault, not his. You see, while reading Dr. Sarno's book, I kept waiting for him to mention Achilles tendon problems and he never did. So, I wrongly assumed that while his approach may work for the numerous ailments he mentions in his books, it will not work on my Achilles because he never mentioned Achilles problems in hs books. Again, that was a wrong assumption on my part to make.
I then came across a story on the internet about a young woman who injured her Achilles tendon while cheerleading and had similar problems with her Achilles as I did until she saw Dr. Schubiner. This young woman described how the only thing that help her was applying Dr. Schubiner's mind-body principles and that Dr. Schubiner cured her Achilles problem. I immediately ordered Dr. Schubiner's book and as I was reading it I could literally feel my Achilles pain go away. I read about half his book the first day and then called Dr. Schubiner at his medical office in Michigan to schedule an appointment. Dr. Schubiner himself called me back that day and we spoke a bit over the phone to schedule my appointment. I finished his book and I saw him in late May of 2010 at his Michigan office. He spent over two hours with me applying the mind-body principles. Let me tell you something about Dr. Schubiner, he is the real deal. He is one of the most professional and nicest doctors I have ever met. He was fully concentrated on treating me during my over two hour visit with him. His only concern was making my pain go away.
It has been almost two months since I saw Dr. Schubiner and I have been absolutely PAIN FREE!!! Again, I am not exaggerating anything. All I did was read his book and apply his principles and that cured me. I could not recommend his book more. All you have to do is believe in the principles and you will be pain free. If you have any type of chronic pain, you would be doing yourself such a disservice by not reading this book. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by reading his book. I actually liked Dr. Schubiner's book better than doctor's Sarno's book. I found it very easy to read and comprehend. Don't get me wrong, I think Dr. Sarno's book are excellent as well and I fully recommend them as well.
While I was lucky enough to see Dr. Schubiner in person, which was very, very helpful, I am confident you will absolutely be able to be pain free by simply reading his book. I really cannot recommend this book enough. I am not being paid a dime for this. I writing this because I hope that it may help someone find their way to becoming pain free by reading this book, the same way that young woman's story on the web helped me come across this great book.