This book is a good read for those of us who have attempted many different methods and seen countless doctors in an effort to alleviate the suffering at the hands of chronic pain.The main leap of faith one has to make if this book is to be at all effective is that chronic pain is muscular in nature. How we deal with this knowledge is the key to overcoming chronic pain's hold on us. This is not to say that chronic pain cannot be treated by various medical procedures. Only that if pain persists for long periods of time, a new approach may be needed.
In my own case, after five years of headaches, I finally was diagnosed with feraminal stenosis at C3-C4 and had a dissection and fusion performed. In laymen's terms, two of my nerves roots were constricted where they exited the spine in my neck. The operation basically "cleaned up" the area surrounding the nerves roots. By doing this operation from the front of the neck, a disk is sacrificed and a piece of bone implanted for fusion.
After this operation, I still struggled with very much the same pain as before, once the operative recuperation was complete. My neurosurgeon and I were quite sure that the operation had repaired the damage that had been causing my pain. My neurosurgeon was quick to note this did not necessarily mean that the pain would go away. I was told the pain may be eliminated totally, partially or not at all. Not what one wants to hear but, honest nonetheless.
I give my own history so that others with chronic pain might at least listen to my review of the book and its methods.
Whether one has had treatment of one sort or another to alleviate chronic pain or not, this book is worth a read. I would also recommend that you inform your doctor of this book.
This book attempts, I believe successfully, to have you take control of your pain and life rather than the other way around. The use of medications is not dismissed altogether although it makes a strong case on eventually eliminating painkilling medication along with tranquilizers.
I have found that while using the steps described in the book do require dedication and some effort, it is much less than the energy used by letting chronic pain rule your life.
The book concentrates on three facets of your life. The first is to slowly get the muscles throughout your body moving to the point where some pain reduction occurs which in turn can ease the transition to a life without painkillers and tranquilizers.
The second component of the book's program is where your mind is used as a tool to help reduce chronic pain. This comes in the form of relaxation exercises and using your mind to focus on ways to prevent chronic pain attacts from dominating your life.
The third component of the program is in the area of diet. In a nutshell, it asks that you eat sensibly and eliminate, at least for the short term, caffeine and alcohol from your diet.
I have taken the steps described in this book over the past six months. I can honestly say that while I still suffer from some pain, the pain no longer rules my life. The steps I take daily to combat the pain have allowed me to go back to work, although in a very different field.
In ending, I quote from page 197: "Many people go around half alive, caught in an emotional rut that they never try to analyze. But chronic pain in a strange way, has forced introspection upon you. Pain, which laid you low, can actually be an opportunity to turn your life around, if you have the courage to look at what is bothering you."
If you can find that courage, this book will guide you on a journey that could change your life.
