I've been reading this amazing book, "Unlearn Your Pain" by Dr. Howard Schubiner. I'll post a review next week on my book blog but I wanted to share this interview with all of you since I know you're all interested in healthy living.
1. The title of your book is “Unlearn Your Pain.” What does the title mean?
The most important aspect of dealing with chronic pain is to understand what is causing it in the first place. Modern medicine is good at identifying certain causes of pain, such as fractures, tumors, or infections. However, for the majority of people with chronic pain, modern medicine cannot identify a specific cause and is left with treating pain with medications to attempt to cover up the pain. “Unlearn Your Pain” conveys the simple,
yet revolutionary concept that pain is often a product of learned nerve pathways that can be reversed.
2. What is Mind Body Syndrome?
Mind Body Syndrome (MBS) is a term I use to help people alter their understanding of their symptoms. When a person is diagnosed with fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, or chronic pelvic pain, they view their disorder as a disease over which they feel they have little control. Replacing their medical diagnosis with MBS helps them to see that they actually can control and reverse their symptoms, even if they have been present for many years. MBS can be used interchangeably with Tension Myositis Syndrome (coined by Dr. John Sarno), or psychophysiologic disorders.
3. What type of illnesses would benefit from your book and your program?
Once a specific medical cause is ruled out, the following conditions are those that can be applicable to the concepts and methods of “Unlearn Your Pain”. Chronic neck or back pain, tension or migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ disorder, interstitial cystitis, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, chronic abdominal or pelvic pain, whiplash, vulvodynia, chronic tendonitis, repetitive stress injury, myofascial pain syndrome, chronic fatigue, tinnitus, paresthesias, anxiety and depression.
4. If I think I may have Mind Body Syndrome, what is the first thing I need to do?
I suggest reading the first four chapters of “Unlearn Your Pain”. It describes the scientific basis of learned nerve pathways and explains how stress and emotions can lead to real pain and other associated symptoms. If you recognize that these chapters describe your situation, you have a great chance of success in reversing your pain.
5. Describe your book in three words.
Understanding, compassion, hope.
6. What inspired you to write the book?
I was inspired by the amazing recoveries of my patients and their courage in facing their past, their lives, and their pain. I wanted to bring this message of hope and healing to a wider audience.
7. What do you hope readers will learn/discover from reading “Unlearn Your Pain”?
I hope readers see that they are not alone and that they can truly heal themselves.
8. What Makes Your Book Unique?
This is the only book that explains the neurologic and psychologic scientific basis of chronic pain, offers a complete self-diagnostic interview, and provides a step-by-step process for healing chronic pain in most people. It is based upon groundbreaking research that demonstrates its efficacy. Since there are millions of people affected with the disorders covered in this book, it has the potential of restoring lives that have been broken. In addition, it is a wakeup call to modern medicine to understand the true cause of chronic pain and stop its reliance on expensive and ineffective treatments.
9. Tell us where “Unlearn Your Pain” is available.
The book is available from amazon.com and from www.unlearnyourpain.com.
To view Dr. Schubiner's invitational video click here.
