| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| n/a |
Posted - 10/11/2005 : 13:51:53
I just finished reading "Get Rid Of The
Pain In Your Butt Now!Pain Relief for your back, legs,
knees, feet & sciatica," by Monte Hueftle. It is by far the best TMS book I have ever read. You can download the book for $12.95 at:http://www.runningpain.com You have to pay via paypal.
His chapter 6 and 7 are by far the most essential parts of the book and he really understands the role of the pain and how to overcome it. This is the book Dr. Sarno should have written instead of his MindBody Connection as it is written for those who seek more practical advice of how to get better and getting deeper into the psychology of TMS. Monte Hueftle has been pain free for over three years after basically being diagnosed with:
herniated disc, pinched nerves, sciatica, curvature of
the spine, and leg length discrepancy, fibromyalgia, plantar facitiis, and more and wading his way through the medical establishment with no relief.
Here are the book's table of contents:
Contents
Introduction
Warning-Disclaimer
1
The Diagnosis That Stops Pain
2
Emotion-Stress-Tension
Induced Pain Disorders
3
The Dynamic Path Of Pain
4
Pain Does Not Always Mean Injury
5
Emotional Energy That Is
Stuck Blocked And Stored
The Real Cause
6
Emotional Awareness
7
The Elimination of Pain
Awareness-Consciousness
Acceptance In The Now
8
Conscious Energy Routines
9
Fear And Other Important
Stuff You Must Know
10
The Doctor’s Injury
Diagnosis And Why It Is
Almost Always Wrong
11
Common Medical Treatments
And Why They Don’t Work
12
Answers To Your Questions
Bibliography |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| wrldtrv |
Posted - 11/04/2005 : 21:59:12
I refuse to be a "true believer"--in anyone. I'll take what is valuable from Sarno or from others, but I don't regard anybody as my guru. Why would anyone willingly close their eyes to other potentially valuable techniques (eg mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy...) in the belief that these are heresy? Come on, this TMS stuff is not supposed to be a religion, but a new perspective, a technique. Some people swear by it; others are still waiting for results. Some might do better with another technique. Or a combination of techniques. We, and our situations are different. Whatever works. |
| cindy_gail |
Posted - 10/16/2005 : 15:16:06
I got Monte Hueftle's book becaue of Peter's post with the info (thank you), and it is wonderful. This man has definitely been there, deep into the pain, and has come out with great ideas and thoughts. Obviously to each their own, but to me it just reinforces what Sarno says, adds very interesting research that has been and is being done, and is so validating and affirming. Personally, the more I can learn the basic premises from various perspectives, it just broadens my breadth and depth. I love it! |
| n/a |
Posted - 10/15/2005 : 11:45:49
If a person is suffering from anxiety or depression along with their TMS physical pain (whether these are as result of TMS or another manifestation of it doesn't matter all that much in my opinion) doesn't it make sense to tackle it by reading, psychotherapy or other tried and tested means?
It may well be the case that anxiety/depression will lessen when physical pain abates anyway, but coming at the dreadful back pain and increasing anxiety from two fronts worked well for me and that involved reading widely on anxiety conditions, psychotherapy and learning how to 'live mindfully'.
Replacing learned beliefs with another healthier belief system takes time and work and in my case (along with many others who post here) I needed the evidence of more than one writer to allow that healthier belief system to really take hold.
Don't get me wrong - I shall always be gratedul to Dr Sarno - my problems were never as bad again from the day I read MBP. but there isn't a 'one size fits all' recovery programme for TMS - even Dr Sarno has changed some of his advice over the years.
I think it's really good that people post about books and other resources they have found helpful. I've had lots of help that way.
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| windy |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 11:12:15
Allegedly Dr. Sarno has a new book coming out June 2006. This is per Sarno himself - he announced it at a meeting this week. |
| redskater |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 10:57:01
that is the only thing that bugs me about Sarno and in his books and videos he says it only takes a few weeks. Well even if you don't need the psycotherapy it sure is taking me longer. I know for a fact I have TMS, I do the work every single day and yet I'm not there yet. It can be discouraging to read that it should only be a matter of a few weeks. It can make you start to question things and look for other ways to get better. I have not intention of quitting and I will fight to the end to get rid of it but I think it helps to read that it took others longer and yet they eventually got better. Sarno has changed some of his ideas as time goes on, so there should be nothing wrong with finding other ways that helped people.
Gaye |
| Suz |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 10:15:23
John,
I agree whole heartedly with you. It does take time. - Patience and perseverance are key. Just keep doing the work and eventually the brain stops. It is breaking many many years of conditioning,.
Suz |
| JohnD |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 08:35:01
One thing I want to add that my prior message might have implied the opposite of, is that the actual road to recovery can be a long one, regardless of whether the path is the correct one. What I mean is that it takes time (sometimes ALOT longer than we wish) to get a point where we internalize what we need to in order to be free from pain. There will be setbacks, and times when the pain comes back, this does not mean that the pain is real, it just means that more work needs to be done.
If every time we have a minor or major setback we are looking for a better way to overcome the pain quicker, we are just taking ourselves away from the grind that needs our everyday focus in order to overcome the pain.
From what I've seen there are very few people who can overcome their pain in a moment, or epiphany. Most of us just need persistance, patience and a fair amount of courage to overcome our pain.
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| JohnD |
Posted - 10/14/2005 : 07:08:15
"Dr. Sarno has given us the broad guidelines for recovery"
Actually he gives us very specific guidelines for recovery, and those who can find a way to stay these main techniques EVERY or a large percentage of time they feel the pain, are the ones who get better. Its all about conditioning and a belief system. We need to undo the conditioning with repetition, and change our belief system. Yes, it may take some people longer to break their conditioning but that doesn't mean they need a different approach, it just means they need to be more vigilant with Sarno's approach(except for those who need psychotherapy as well).
I'm sure there are alot of small factors that vary within each individual's recovery time/pattern/etc....but when the rubber meets the road the difference between someone who has tms and someone who has gotten past is the simple fact that the person who still has tms doesn't REALLY REALLY deep down in their bones believe they are healthy, where as the person who has gotten better does.
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| PeterW |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 14:55:06
"TMS recovery is an individual path and not a one size fits all formula. Dr. Sarno has given us the broad guidelines for recovery, but each us will individualize our efforts towards our own recovery."
Well said Peter, and I totally agree. Thank you.
We need to direct attention towards our emotions in a big way, perhaps for the first time in our lives for many of us. And yes me must be aware of thinking too much, of jumping around into too many books and concepts and getting distracted. But this does NOT mean we must no longer be allowed to think for ourselves, or to follow a distinct path that works for us or instinctively feels right.
Oddly, I have seen Sarno criticized for not giving enough guidelines and methods. This could also be taken as him allowing people the freedom to get in touch with emotions in their own way. |
| n/a |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 14:07:54
I have said it before and I will say it again that for many people Dr Sarno does not give us all we need to overcome TMS. That is why some have to go into psychotherapy. Others can find the equivelant in well written books. Not even TMS doctors who trianed under Dr. Sarno would believe the statement that "Dr Sarno gives us all we need to overcome TMS." Just look at the variations in what they have to say when it comes to treatment, and I have read a lot oo their work. I think it may be that some people are becoming holier than the Pope, when in fact Dr. Sarno leaves methods of getting in touch with ones emitions to the individual. Just because Dr. Sarno did not say it does not mean he approves or dis-approves of it. This is like putting words in his mouth which he did not utter.
I can tell you right now Suz that if you are a 100% Sarno purist with absolutely not deviations then put the book down now because you are going to be disappointed. But if you want to read about someone who took Dr. Sarno's work and expanded upon it and individualized it for his own recovery program to bring about a cessation of intense pain after years of suffering, then continue reading.
TMS recovery is an individual path and not a one size fits all formula. Dr. Sarno has given us the broad guidelines for recovery, but each us will individualize our efforts towards our own recovery. |
| Suz |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 12:38:11
I ordered this book and have started reading it - very very nice rendition of Sarno's work. I am a Sarno purist - I believe that all you need is in his book. I was interested to hear from someone who used his methods and got well - I equate it to going to one of Sarno's panel discussions and hearing from a "cured" patient.
I believe one must keep it simple and if the book goes off on any kind of tangents - will probably abandon. Reading multiple books can just serve as a distraction and stop one from getting to the real,straightforward cure. i have to watch I don't do that.
I also believe that patience is key. The brain will let go when it will let go. In the meantime, i just see it as going along for the ride. |
| JohnD |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 11:37:19
Dr Sarno gives us all we need to overcome TMS. It is just a matter of getting to a point where we can replace our learned beliefs about our bodies, and replace them with more reasonable beliefs like those of Dr. Sarno. Someone can meditate/visualize all day long but if they don't believe their body is strong, and resourceful then they are still going to have TMS, no questions asked. If you leave your keys in your car, you can look all day in your house but your not going to find them.
I'm sure Monte's book has useful info in it, and 50 more great books about TMS could all be written in the next year and some people still wouldn't get better. The route to freedom from TMS is simple: change the erroneous beliefs about yourself/your body that predisposed you to tms, and deal with the repressed emotions as best you can. |
| gioux |
Posted - 10/11/2005 : 21:20:33
I would also agree that the book is very helpful...it has been very useful to me recently. It is esepcially nice to get an athlete's perspective, which I think is lacking in Sarno's books. I also highly recommend it and I don't think all the mindfulness stuff is bad at all or "mumbo jumbo" - on the contrary I think it can help TMS sufferers a lot. Sometimes it's hard to swallow because it goes against so much of what we hear in the west. But have an open mind and it might help some or give you some other ideas on how to help yourself. My two cents... |
| altherunner |
Posted - 10/11/2005 : 18:13:22
I found his book and cd both helpful. I ran a marathon on Sunday, and I found his ideas of focusing on my breath while running helped me to not go crazy thinking about pain in the last 5 or 6 miles. |
| n/a |
Posted - 10/11/2005 : 17:42:51
I would say forget about the guided imagery and some other mumbo jumbo he does have in the book. It was his way of getting in touch with his emotions, and that is fine for him. (He also uses this for his training as he is an athlete) Each has to follow theoir own path in that respect. Some use Yoga, other spirituality, other relgious practice and still others meditation. Whatever helps you to get into your insides. You may find another way of getting in touch with yourself. Dr Sarno is silent on how to do this and many TMS docs differ on this approach even though they have trained under Dr. Sarno. But the book is well worth purchasing as he offers some really insightful observations, especially on the psychology of TMS in chapters 6 and 7. Much deeper and practical than Healing Back Pain. He praises Dr. Sarno for showing him the way and he goes a bit further thus making his book more practical, answering many questions I see daily on this forum. No book is 100% perfect.
Monte Hueftle had TMS for a number of years. Using Dr. Sarno's work as a base and then using other methods to get in touch with his emotions and educationg himself about his condition, he full recovered and his now pain free. And no Dave, I am not being paid to write this - I first heard about this book and website on this very message board. I never met or communicated with Monte Hueftle.
Best wishes to all regardless of whether you decide to purchase the book or not. |
| PeterW |
Posted - 10/11/2005 : 17:04:53
Peter - Thanks for the link.
They have a Guided Imagery/Hypnosis cd advertised on the website. Is this cd necessary for their program, ie an additional (hidden) cost? Just wondering.
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| Dave |
Posted - 10/11/2005 : 14:33:50
Hmm... are you sure Monte is not paying you? 
If you can look past the numerous editorial errors, this book does have some useful information.
However, a large part of this book has a philosophical and spiritual focus, speaking of mindfulness and conscious awareness and energy flow... This Zen-like approach might be up some people's alley, but frankly, it is not very consistent with Dr. Sarno's approach.
It might not be a bad idea to practice mindfulness and living in the present moment, and that just might help to overcome TMS symptoms. Might. But I'm not sure I would go so far as to call this a "TMS book." |
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