| Jonathan Van Ee's Story | |
Doctors who employ the mind-is-body approach believe that it works not only for tendonitis, but also for back pain (which is where the approach actually started), headaches, fibromyalgia, and much more. My headaches and back pain have decreased because of this new perspective on pain. After overcomming the pain, one big question I have had is "Why couldn't I have improved soonner?" There are two reasons why it took me two and a half years to overcome the pain: 1. I didn't question my own mind I am a product of the predominant American philosophical approach that believes only strange people have problems caused by their mind. While the rest of your body can suffer injuries, setbacks, or diseases, the minds of normal people do not suffer such things. If I had questioned the strength of my mind the same way I questioned the strength of the tendons in my fingers, I would have conquered the pain soonner. 2. The medical establishment was part of the problem Doctors who depend on referrals for business are reluctant to even mention an approach that may offend patients. Many chronic pain sufferers would be offended by the suggestion that their pain is caused by their mind (at the outset of my pain, I probably would also have been offended). Thus, doctors are unlikely to suggest an approach that views the mind as the source of the pain. Also, doctors and physical therapists do not use the mind-is-body approach because it is not in their financial interest to cure chronic pain patients. A lifetime of chronic pain, that also requires periodic checkups, is a lifetime client. Cured clients cease to be clients. Pushing through the pain is contrary to the predominant message from the medical community. The predominant message is that you should stop doing whatever activity is causing pain. For me, the effective approach was to maintain my intense level of activity despite the pain. Fortunately, Dr. Sarno and others have laid the foundation for this cure. So, it is not completely radical. In fact, it is not even an alternative approach. This cure is based on standard analysis of the causes and solutions to a human condition. But, the most powerful reasons for the approach are the numerous success stories. I hope my story helps you. The biggest obstacle for a lot of people is their unwilingness to accept the fact that their own mind might be causing their pain. If you have doubts or comments about this approach, please send me an e mail at:  |
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