Survey Response: Paul Gwozdz, MD
This survey was last updated in February 2011.
Degrees/Licenses Held:
ABFM board certified family physician
MD – UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
MS – Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology
MS – Electrical Engineering, Duke University
BS – Electrical Engineering, Duke University
License number: MA 067782
Contact Information: Paul Gwozdz 732-545-4100
Website: GwozdzMD.com
Number of years in practice: 10 years
Number of years in practice with patients who have TMS: 10 years
Number of patients you have seen who have had TMS:
Approximately 300 patients have completed my full program.
Do you work with other professionals when helping TMS patients? If so, please describe.
Although it is often not necessary for a cure, I am a big believer in the value of psychotherapy as part of the treatment of TMS. I primarily refer to two PhD psychotherapists who actively work with me and enjoy seeing my TMS patients. Dr. Margaret Chan, who has trained under the TMS psychotherapist Dr. Arlene Feinblatt, sees patients in my office. Dr. Marion Stuart sees my patients in her office in Morristown, NJ.
How did you first become interested in TMS?
I was cured by Dr. Sarno in 1987 while still an engineering manager at AT&T Bell Labs. Afterwards, I attended medical school, completed residency, returned to Dr. Sarno in 2000 and received training as a physician in the treatment of TMS. I have had multiple discussions with Dr. Sarno over the years and again spent time with him at his office in July 2010.
Have you ever suffered from TMS? (optional)
Absolutely and have had multiple TMS equivalents over the years before I realized they were also just manifestations of TMS. My own history provides me with the interest in focusing on all of the patient's symptoms and not just back pain when treating TMS.
What insurance plans do you currently accept? Most. Please see my website.
Do you have a sliding scale of payment for people who are not covered by insurance? Yes.
What steps should TMS clients take before contacting you?
Patients should have read at least part of one of Dr. Sarno's books and have the belief that they might too have TMS. They also should have had a workup for their symptoms by their primary doctor or specialist to rule out cancer or other serious medical condition. Please bring copies of any studies to your appointment.
Have you published any materials related to TMS?
No, although I have been asked to do so by many patients. Just don't have the time.
Special Questions for Physicians
Have you ever trained under Dr. John E. Sarno, or another TMS doctor? If so, please explain.
Yes, Dr. Sarno; please see above.
Other than training with a TMS doctor, what have you done to educate yourself about TMS, and what plans do you have for further education about TMS?
I study psychology books as much as possible and try to keep up with the literature on psychosomatic medicine. I also have a major interest in the work of Dr. Bruce Lipton, PhD and Dr. Candace Pert, PhD. Dr. Lipton teaches us that we are a product of our environment and that DNA is just a template that our body uses to form proteins. Which proteins are formed depends on our environment not our genes! That is why childhood is so important and why we get sick when we are stressed and susceptible, not when we are “exposed”. Dr. Pert has discovered and identified the molecules of emotion that play roles in virtually every cell in our body. She has shown that the classic view of nerves controlling our body is just a minor part of the overall communication system inside of us.
I have studied and practice Dr. Martin Seligman's work from “Learned Optimism” and am currently studying natural vision correction as described by Dr. William Bates, MD and Dr. Jacob Liberman, OD PhD.
I also attended and was one of the speakers at the first annual TMS conference at the University of Michigan Medical School.
How would you characterize your position on referring for spinal surgery?
I refer patients for spinal surgery if they have bowel and/or bladder dysfunction.
Do you feel comfortable referring people to Dr. Sarno's books?
Dr. Sarno should have been given a Nobel prize for his work!
As we are going to post your answers on the TMS Wiki, feel free to write some text to introduce yourself:
I am a major disciple of Dr. Sarno as he has saved me from a probable destiny of being a middle manager from AT&T Bell Labs on disability and oxycontin. TMS patients are my favorite patients since I am one of only a handful of other doctors that can truly make a major difference in their lives. Please visit my website GwozdzMD.com to read my story and for further information regarding how I can in turn help you.
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