Important Information and Disclaimer
The key to treating chronic symptoms is to determine what is causing the pain or other symptoms. This is so elementary and makes so much common sense, yet many doctors (whether they are traditional doctors or holistic/alternative doctors) are unaware that the mind can produce a large variety of symptoms. These symptoms will not be cured by methods that do not address the underlying cause of the pain.
This web site offers a comprehensive educational program for people with chronic symptoms such as low back pain, neck pain, whiplash, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, migraine headaches, TMJ syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, insomnia, anxiety and other syndromes that may be caused by stress, emotions, or reactions to emotions.
Using this web site does not establish a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Schubiner. This is an educational web site that does not offer diagnosis and/or treatment for medical conditions. You must consult with your own doctors to make sure that your condition does not require immediate intervention. You need to be assured by your doctors that a conservative approach that could include a consideration of the role which the mind may play in your symptoms is acceptable. You should also make sure that your doctor approves of any increase in activities that you might undertake.
This web site does not offer specific recommendations about the use of medications or about changing your use of medications. You should decide along with your physician if you should alter or stop any of your medications. In particular, stopping certain medications can cause physical or psychological symptoms if the process is not done carefully. Any changes in medications for anxiety, depression or pain should be managed in consultation with your physician. The program suggests that you review stressful events in your life and asks you to view them as important parts of how you are feeling, physically and psychologically. If you are in counseling, you should consult with your therapist or counselor to make sure that they think you can participate in this program. If you develop emotional difficulties during the course of taking this program, it is critical that you consult with your therapist or counselor.
There is a tremendous amount of information on this web site to help you understand how the mind can produce chronic symptoms and to help you determine if you may benefit from understanding the Mind Body Syndrome (also known as Tension Myoneural Syndrome, a term coined by Dr. John Sarno). The educational program is a structured and comprehensive program that you can take if you want to understand this syndrome better and learn how to apply these concepts to your situation.
When you enroll in the course you will be asked to accept these terms and conditions.
The Personal Stories are from actual course participants and are used with permission. The names and photos have been changed to protect confidentiality.