Thank You, Dr. Sarno

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Dr. John Sarno first developed his theories on the causation and treatment of chronic pain during the 1970s. During the time since he developed the TMS concept, John Sarno has touched the lives of millions of individuals suffering through chronic pain. The theories he put forth in his subsequent books and lectures accomplished far more then simply curing people of chronic pain. Dr. Sarno's ideas have given people hope and helped them regain their life back. The TMS community is forever indebted to John Sarno and the work he so courageously brought to our attention. The following is a collection of messages from both TMS peers and practitioners expressing our gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Sarno

From all of the members of the PPD/TMS Peer Network and the TMS community, we thank you John Sarno for all that you have given us.

38px Panda Dear Dr Sarno, I wanted to write and say thank you for totally transforming my life with your work on TMS. Before I knew about TMS I spent 10 years in severe and debilitating back pain and couldn't walk more than about 100 yards without being in agony. After reading Healing Back Pain I finally had hope and within 6 months I was walking more and more without pain. This is a recent photo of me and my family at the ice rink. I have learned to figure skate and am doing jumps and spins, I still can't believe I can do so much these days; I am so grateful to you for giving me my life back. I can never thank you enough, Panda

38px Rinkey Thank you Dr. Sarno! Your books, especially Healing Back Pain gave me my active life back. Hiking, biking, fishing, adventuring! Rinkey

38px Forest My TMS first started when I was a teenager. I was highly driven and passionately devoted to programming computers. The TMS began in my hands and slowly moved to my arms, neck , back and knees. Doctors diagnosed me at first with repetitive strain injuries and then with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and thoracic outlet syndrome. My junior year of college a doctor told me I would never be pain free, and that it was unlikely that I could ever become a programmer. Within a couple of years, my ability to type, handwrite, run, and maintain certain static positions were all severely limited. I lived this way for more than a decade, just trying to get by. Several years ago, a friend showed me several TMS success stories and for the first time in years I had hope for the future. Through steadily pushing my boundaries, I slowly regained functionality, regaining my ability to do what I needed to do. When the pain occasionally returns, I no longer worry, and just go about my business. This is photo of me in Jerusalem's Old City. I spent two weeks there and was able to walk around for hours without the slightest hint of pain. Before I wouldn't have even considered the trip. Dr. Sarno thank you so much for all the work you have done. Learning about TMS has given me my life back. With Deepest Gratitude, Forest

38px JanA Dear Dr. Sarno: In September of last year I was advised by a PT to look into migraine diets for my many symptoms, including dizziness and neck pain. I found an internet forum with a lot of conflicting and apocryphal information - but no coherent answers. One person suggested reading The Divided Mind, for which he was severely abused by other users, but as he was the only one with something positive to offer, I was intrigued enough to get a copy. Needless to say, it changed my life. A year ago, at age 60, I thought I was going rapidly downhill in spite of a healthy lifestyle and years of self-help attempts through yoga and physical therapy, as well as seeing practitioners in chiropractic, craniosacral, and traditional medicine. Now, approaching 61, I haven't seen any kind of health practitioner other than my dentist since September, I'm doing weights with a personal trainer, and I am from 90-100% free of my symptoms most of the time. After reading your book, I went on to do some much-needed emotional work in order to achieve the level of relief I now experience, and I am quite sure that I could not have made that leap without your ability to explain TMS in a way that was logical, pragmatic, and easily understood. I can't thank you enough, not only for your brilliant work, but for making it accessible to the rest of us. We will do our best to continue to spread the word in your honor. JanA

38px HilaryN Thanks for helping me to get back to a normal life.

38px Ollin

38px Georgie Oldfield Dr Sarno, your work has changed my life for the better in so many ways. There is no doubt that I am personally healthier now, but my whole career and as a result my life, changed massively after coming across your work. I want to thank you for the time you spent with me when I visited you in New York, which enabled me to really get a handle on your work and your approach with your patients. That was the start of the most exciting stage of my career and within a short time I was working exclusively with my own TMS Recovery programme. Since visiting you in 2007 I can’t believe the changes I have made in my own life and the numerous patients of mine who have had life changing results from my diving head first into your visionary work. Thank you from me and thank you from all my patients past, current and future who are resolving their symptoms as a result of your pioneering work, rather than carrying on managing them as best they can. I wish you a very happy and healthy retirement in the knowledge that you are leaving a wonderful legacy behind, which will live on after all of us are long gone. With Best Wishes, From Georgie

38px Benjamin Dear Dr. Sarno, Reading your books felt like awaking from a very bad dream. Thanks to you, I am not having nightmares anymore. You did not only help me with my pain, but you also greatly improved my terrible MS relapses. You have also shown me, how to see my true self and how to change myself into a better person, a loving husband and a future father. You dedicated your life to helping people, with the majority of your colleagues not believing in you. The sacrifices you made for helping and curing us will be remembered. The picture was taken before I got TMS. Thanks to you, I can go back now and take pictures like that again. Thank you Benjamin

38px Tom At 35, I had been suffering recurrent bouts of crippling back spasms for at least a dozen years. After I had been scheduled for spinal surgery, someone recommended Dr. Sarno's book. Within a few days, I canceled the surgery and resumed a normal, active life. In the 22 years since, I have had one memorable bout. I got so mad at my TMS, I got on a bicycle with it and wouldn't get off until it stopped being such a pain! I eventually won, but it took about 10 miles. I regularly run, bike, kayak and consider myself in the best shape of my life. I have since read more of Dr. Sarno's work, had a conversation with him on the telephone, and passed on many copies of his books to anyone who dares to say "My back went out!" Dr. Sarno, you have changed my life in so many ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Tom

38px Alan M. I am now 82. At 70 years of age I became progressively worse in terms of back pain. It was diagnosed as spinal stenosis. I lost most of my strength in both legs which was diagnosed as being caused by motor nerve impingement from the spinal stenosis. I walked with a cane and then only for a few feet at a time before the pain became too intense. I was anticipating that I might spend the rest of my life in a wheel chair. My son sent me Dr. Sarno's book which I devoured. I read it over and over. This was the summer of 2000. The pain left. My strength returned. The pain never came back. I sent a letter of appreciation to Dr. Sarno. I have his reply of October 19, 2000 framed on my wall. Allan M.

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