Month: June 2017

No words can describe how I feel towards this
Wonderful man. So I won’t try. Just suffice it to say
He will be sorely missed by us all.
God speed Dr. Sarno!
We love you and are ever so grateful
Randie Sullivan

I had sometimes crippling pain in my coccyx for three years and often found it difficult to walk, bend and lay down comfortably.  I had acupuncture, acupressure, saw spinal surgeons, had painful cortisone shots into my tailbone, went to pain clinics and saw many other doctors, to no avail.  One day I was flipping channels and saw a young woman who spoke about how she had used a scooter for years due to back pain but then saw Dr. Sarno and her pain was gone.  I went to the store that day and bought “Healing Back Pain” and read it while on a trip to St. Lucia for a week.  By the time I left St. Lucia my coccyx pain was reduced by at least 50% and I didn’t need the special seat pillow anymore.  When I got home I called Dr. Sarno for an appointment and had to wait six months to see him.  During that time I read his other books and continued to improve and also used his suggestions when I had pain in other places in my body.  I saw him on Valentine’s Day, was diagnosed with TMS, stayed for two lectures and continued to follow his advice and was pain free.  Since that time twenty years ago I have re-read Dr. Sarno’s books and bought them for many friends who were experiencing pain.  A few years ago I developed sciatica after going through a very difficult situation that left me with PTSD and suffered with it for over a year.  I found that Dr. Sarno was no longer practicing so I looked for a therapist that was trained in TMS and luckily found a wonderful woman not too far from my home.  Within a few months the sciatica was completely gone and the PTSD had subsided.

I cannot imagine where I would be now without Dr. Sarno.  You are an angel!

From the bottom of my heart I thank you Dr Sarno.

I am so thankful for Dr. Sarno.  I had had severe back pain incidents , carpel tunnel syndrome, but then had the worst Neck pain in my life.  It was so debilitating that I couldn’t get out of bed.  I literally couldn’t sit up for more than a few minutes.  My Dr. prescribed muscle relaxers and Accupuncture which gave me  very little relief and only temporarily.  The pain would last for about a week and then I would get an attack 1-2 months later.  After about the 3rd attack of Neck pain, someone recommended that I read Dr. Sarno’ s book.  I must have read them at least 3 times, and started to get relief.  I couldn’t believe it!  I read all of his books and went to see his protégés in NYC and have not had severe pain in 3 years.  When ever I feel a slight tinge, I remind myself that nothing is really wrong with my neck.  Thank you Dr. Sarno for changing my life.

Once upon a midnight dreary, as I pondered weak and weary,
Over years of chronic back pain too imposing to ignore,
Growing noticeably leery with each pain physician’s theory,
Suddenly I found a book that I had never seen before.
Just a book and nothing more.

And I thought it rather stellar that this New York Times bestseller
Was entitled “Healing Back Pain,” as my spine was rather sore,
So with little hesitation, and a hint of fascination,
I flipped through the first few pages just to learn a little more.
Just a chapter, nothing more…

Laying out a thorough series of distinct and striking theories,
Dr. Sarno drew an inference that struck me to my core-
That my pain manifestation isn’t caused by herniation,
But instead by an unconscious intrapsychic civil war.
“It’s the brain and nothing more.”

And this novel explanation for my lumbar aggravation
Was the freeing revelation I had long been searching for,
Through the spinal decompressions and the acupressure sessions
And the countless years of therapy spent strengthening my core-
Finally this was something more.

As I learned about repression and my unconscious aggression,
And the bevy of emotions that my psyche had in store,
Searching for a clear suggestion, reading on, I asked the question,
“What, amidst my mental processes, should be I be looking for?”
Quoth John Sarno, “Just explore.”

So I then began to journal, digging up every internal
Source of stress and rage and tension that I’d ever felt before,
And with each successive word I felt progressively unburdened,
Still I worried, “What if my back symptoms flare up even more?”
Quoth John Sarno, “Just ignore.”

And my back pain, ever grating, started fading, started fading,
As I dared to dream about the pain-free life I had in store,
And I asked with strained elation and a tinge of trepidation,
“Will this torment ever haunt me in the way it did before?”
Quoth John Sarno, “Nevermore.”

Alan Gordon, LCSW

Thanks to Dr. Sarno my five plus years of pain ended.  I was facing invasive back surgery due to the findings from my MRI.   I was distraught about the surgery, the recovery and the possibility that the surgery wouldn’t work.  As a last ditch effort, I read Healing Back Pain after a friend recommended it.  That was the beginning of my recovery. Once I realized that I had TMS I wanted a professional opinion, just to confirm my self-diagnosis.  Luckily, I found Dr. Stracks and he guided me on the remainder of my journey of healing.  I’m a different person and I thank Dr. Sarno for his years of work, dedication, persistence, guidance and teaching—  all of which have clearly made a difference in the lives of thousands of people!  I pay it back by telling people about my journey and encourage them to read Dr. Sarno’s books.

My condolences to Dr. Sarno’s family.

Marilyn

Thank you Dr. Sarno for writing your books to bring awareness that there is an different approach to healing chronic pain.  Your books gave people access to you who could not travel to NYC to have an in person appointment.  I hope that All the Rage is a huge success so people can still learn about you and your methods even though you are gone.  You deserve so much credit for all that you have done and all the people your have helped.

Dr. Sarno,

Around this time last year, I went through 6 months of the darkest days of my life. I suffered from lower left back pain that refused to go away. After trying every recommendation and every doctor, I was basically out of options. I quit my job, cut out most of my friends and spent most of my days laying with my back flat on the floor next to my dog. At that point, I had tried an orthopedic, acupuncturists, massage therapists and a neurosurgeon while also taking an X-Ray and MRI along the way. I would estimate that I spent around $5,000 on all of this. This does not include the amount of money that I could have been making if I were going to work every day. After all of this, I felt just as bad (if not worse) than I did when my back originally began bothering me.

Suddenly after leaving a massage therapy appointment on a beautiful July summer morning, a friends grandfather called me. I was told “You are going to think I am crazy, but you should consider reading this book.” I was desperate and happy to try anything at that point. About 3 hours later, I would guess at around 2:00 I picked up “Healing Back Pain” at the library. By the time I had dinner that same day, I would say I was at about a 75% recovery. Within about 5 days I was back at 100%. It was literally a miracle.

I have friends and family who I try to convince to read the book because I feel strongly that they are suffering from TMS. It is amazing how they refuse to accept or believe it. Dr. Sarno mentions these people in his book saying that many people will not buy into his theory. I am so thankful that I did.

It is hard to think about those 6 months and consider how I basically resorted my life to nothing. No work, no social life and no exercise. However, after reading some of these stories I consider myself grateful that I only suffered for 6 months. Many of these people suffered for decades.

You are a genius, Dr. Sarno and I plan to watch your documentary this week. I am going to do everything I can to spread your theory and help cure people who suffer from TMS.

RIP Dr. Sarno.

Sincerely,
Jack M

Editor’s note: I followed up to ask for a photo, and Jack replied with the following:

This is a response from your previous email.

While suffering from TMS, I was unable to even think about exercising. Then I picked up Dr. Sarno’s book. Within several days I was cured from my chronic back pain. At this point, I had not worked out for about a full year. This photo was taken only 3 months after I picked up “Healing Back Pain” and was cured from TMS. I was in the best shape of my life. Thank you Dr Sarno for giving me the chance to exercise and get in the “best shape of my life!”

I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Dr. John Sarno. Although I never has the privilege of meeting him, his dedication and work had a wonderfully positive impact on my life.

From 1985 until 2000 I suffered chronic back, shoulder, knee and hip pain as well as other TMS manifestations. Having exhausted all traditional ways of trying to treat the pain I really was very discouraged. Fortunately I heard about Dr. Sarno and I started my journey to elimination of pain without physical therapy, medication or surgery.

At first I was skeptical of what Dr. Sarno’s premises, but with no relief in sight I contacted Dr. Sarno’s office to try to set up an appointment. I found out that at that time Dr. Sarno was not taking new patients outside the New York area, but he took the time to write me a personal letter referring me to physicians in the United States who were familiar with TMS. The doctor in Chicago he referred me to in 2000 ran lab tests on me and felt that I suffered from TMS. After meeting with the doctor, and rereading Dr. Sarno’s books, I began to understand the source of my pain and eliminated almost all of my pain within a couple of months.

I am grateful for Dr. Sarno’s wisdom, and the fact that as busy as he was that he took the time to personally respond to me.

May his memory be blessed and his work continue!

Steve C

Thank you so much! You saved my sanity and life. I run 10 k 6 times a week and 2 half marathons so far.. For 3 months I couldn’t walk to my front door.

I could write 10 pages. THANK YOU is not enough, but it’s ALL I can say.
You are an angel.

GOD bless you!

Dear Dr. Sarno.

You have given my life back. One day I thought I would meet you in person to give a hug. You are really a genius. And you changed the world of treating pain. I am really blessed to know about and read your book. I believe you are a god. RIP Dr. Sarno.

You will be ever living in our hearts….!

I first read Dr. Sarno’s book about twenty years ago.  Some of it rang true but other parts didn’t, so I put it away.

Fast forward ten years later.  My medical issues continue to plague me and my physician is concerned that I might have MS.  After significant angst followed by an all clear on the diagnosis I knew I had to find a better way to live.

I pulled out Dr. Sarno’s book again and lo and behold I saw myself reflected back in the pages.  This led me to Dr. John Stracks at the Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern University and my healing journey began.

I cannot thank Dr. Sarno enough for his life changing work.  I will do all I can to continue to spread his message of true healing.

Elisabeth W

… literally, from my heart, my head, my stomach, my legs… I felt sure that my body was shutting down and I was dying when my son sent me HEALING BACK PAIN.   Thank you for taking away my fear and giving me hope for the first time in many years.

God bless you and keep you.  May you Rest In Peace with the knowledge that you will continue to be

A great healer and teacher
forever.

My regrets and condolences to his family and loved ones.
Carol W

Dear Dr. Sarno,

For 13 years I was known to friends and family as the guy with back pain. Not a single day without pain. In 2009 my life changed when I finally gave in and read your book. That was the beginning of the end of my long and painful journey of back pain.

With your help and because of your understanding of the human condition I found the courage to turn my back on traditional medicine (when it comes to pain) and the establishment that is ignorant and does not want to see reality.

Thank you Dr. Sarno for helping tens of thousands of people like myself.

Marcus P.

Dr. Sarno’s first book “Mind Over Back Pain” called out to me as it sat unassumingly on a book shelf at the Coliseum Book Store in New York City many years ago. It was hiding amidst some thick intimidating books on “health” that one would have to spend a year reading. So I purchased that book and I still remember the first night I read it when it opened up a whole world that felt like it had been hiding in my brain always. And I began my journey with this wonderful doctor//teacher/sage and all his other writings.

Dealing with TMS is not by any means easy for me but I know it is true and real and usually I just have to remind myself that’s what is wrong. We are only scratching the surface of the mind/body connection and we are so lucky to have had a courageous warrior like Dr. Sarno to come forward  way ahead of his time.  In the future when they understand it more than we do now, he will be revered. Thank you Dr. Sarno and I will be grateful to you all my life.

I am also grateful to the TMS Wiki site (and Alan Gordon and Howard Schubiner) which has been a huge saving grace to me in just this past year and is an inspired refuge for so many on the internet.

Katherine

Ken

About twenty years ago, I was poor as a church mouse working survival jobs and trying to pursue an unsuccessful acting career. I had a herniated disk, and unbearable back pain. Prior to the injury, I ran about 4-6 miles daily. With the onset of back pain, I was sidelined for over a year, desperate for relief from chiropractors and doctors that I could not afford. Unsuccessful actors can’t really afford health insurance. I was in a LOT of pain and very depressed about my lack of physical mobility.

One day after work I went to the large library in midtown Manhattan in search of books that could offer me exercises to relieve my back pain. Instead I came across Doctor Sarno’s book,”Mind Over Back Pain, the Mind-Body Connection.” I remember checking the book out from the library and reading the entire book, cover to cover, one afternoon in the middle of Central Park. Everything about TMS resonated so strongly within me.

Three days after finishing the book, I was back on the treadmill running my daily miles. I’ve been running and swimming four or five days a week since.

I have a Pay It Forward policy regarding Doctor Sarno’s books. Whenever a friend complains of back pain, I purchase the book as a gift with the insistence that the friend passes it on to someone else who may complain of back pain in the future.

My copies of Sarno’s books retain a prominent place on a shelf in my home library.

Thank you, Doctor Sarno. Our world is a sadder place without you today.

Much love and gratitude,
Michael C

Thank you Dr. Sarno.

As a poor college student, paying to go to a chiropractor every week to manage my headaches left me with just enough money to break even. I felt stuck and google searched for alternatives. I found your book, got it, read it and applied it. Haven’t been back to a chiro since. It’s been over 3 years.

God Bless!

Dear Dr. Sarno,

I can never thank you enough for saving me from not only crippling pain but also from seeking relief with back surgery.

I stumbled onto a back pain forum 5 months ago looking to see what others were thinking about after being told that surgery was the only answer, and someone mentioned your name and books.

They have been my saving grace.

This morning I went to look at the TMSwiki.org forum and saw that you passed away. I am only sorry that you did not receive the Nobel Prize for saving so many from a lifetime of pain and suffering. I will do my best to honor your legacy by sharing my own experience to all who will listen, and even to those who won’t!

Rest In Peace.

Thank you, Doctor!!
Jack

In the late 90s I suffered from neck and upper back pain.   I was truly suicidal as I was living in pain 24/7 and was told I would never be able to do physical activity again.  Back then back and neck surgery meant being in a body cast for months.

I tried everything, from acupuncture to mediation, to needles in the neck.    Nothing worked.   Until one day I was walking in a book store and decided to buy his book.  Everything made sense. I was cured within 2 weeks.    I have shared my story to anyone who would listen and I know dozens who have also been cured.    I haven’t had any issues since then and I also read his book “The Divided Mind” which has also helped me overcome other pains that I would have otherwise been alarmed at.  Thank you Dr. Sarno for being my hero, my God.  There will never be another like you.

Dear Dr Sarno,

You are my hero. You saved me. I had lost my life to chronic pain and disability. Your dedication and selfless pursuit for the wellbeing of others restored faith in me. From the moment I accepted your work I knew I could deeply trust and believe that I would be cured. You did not let me down. Your expert work will not be in vain. The truth you uncovered all those years ago will become mainstream treatment for those in chronic pain. I hope there are other true doctors out there like you. We have lost the best one.

Rest in Peace

Susan (birdsetfree)