Unlearn Your Pain
Released February 2010
Contents
Overview
This book outlines some of the methods Dr. Schubiner has been using in his medical practice to treat chronic pain patients. It uses the latest chronic pain research to explain that pain is caused by nerve sensitization and learned nerve pathways. Dr. Schubiner uses the term Mindbody Syndrome (MBS) instead of the term TMS, but it refers to the same thing. The methods Dr. Schubiner uses in this book have been supported by research studies and have cured patients of their chronic pain. The book explains the symptoms of the syndrome and helps the reader determine if they have it. There are several helpful methods to overcoming chronic pain in the book including therapeutic writing exercises and four meditations that come on a CD.
Treatment Methods
The book outlines three treatment methods that are combined into one mind-body treatment. The three methods have slight technique variations week to week, but are rooted in the basic practices of mindful meditation, positive affirmations, and journaling. Each day these three methods are combined into activities that seek to help a person uncover their repressed emotions and develop new thought patterns.
The book is available on Dr. Schubiner's website
Have you read Unlearn Your Pain or used Dr. Schubiner's treatment methods before? If you have start a thread about it at the bottom of this page.
Unlearn Your Pain is a more developed version of Dr. Schubiner's Online Mind-Body Program, which has been posted on the wiki. PositiveVibes has had success using Dr. Schubiner's online program, and wrote the following:
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After 10 days on his program, I think that it is the best money I've spent on myself in years. I wish I would have done this first. I realized the other day that my life has changed forever because of this program. I will never go back to feeling and operating in the world the way I did previously. Really and truly, this course is transforming me and changing my life. It's really hard work; it's really demanding, and sometimes really really scary. But so worth it! |
Wiki Member Reviews
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I've just finished this - I would definitely recommend it to anyone with TMS (or MBS as Schubiner labels it) It's a more updated version of Sarno's theories - looking at the current medical evidence for the mindbody effect in causing chronic pain. The first part of the book explains the medical evidence, the second part forms a 6 week guide throught a TMS program - giving daily exercises etc etc. There is also a CD with tracks to help with meditation.... Hopefully this could be something of a break-through book - it should help bring TMS theory into the mainstream medical opinion, and it is also IMO the most comprehensive resource for how to conduct a TMS program out there. Definitely recommended! |
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I am working through this book right now - I am in Week 3 and my pain is now at very low levels compared to where it was. There has been a significant reduction in pain. The thing that I like is that he takes a multi-faceted approach and gives you step by step daily guidelines to follow. I have found that opening up emotionally through journaling and meditation and reprogramming your brain through affirmations and accupressue seems to be a solid combination for addressing TMS/MBS. I highly recommend this book for anyone with TMS! |
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This book by Howard Schubiner is truly remarkable. I am only on my first week of the 28-day program, but already it has removed any doubts I was holding onto about whether my physical symptoms were part of a Mind Body Syndrome (or TMS is you prefer the term). In addition, the first two writing exercises in the program have brought more repressed emotions to the surface than many many sessions of psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy combined, and these exercises have already helped me to identify one HUGE core issue contributing to my Mind Body Syndrome - an issue that I wasnt even aware existed. In the last week my neck pain, upper back pain and headaches have largely improved, a nasty rash on my hands is disappearing, and my anxiety levels have come right down (I've had anxiety since childhood). Each of the two nights that I have finished the writing exercise, I cried myself to sleep and slept like a baby. All I can say is WOW. I now believe I have suffered from Mind Body Syndrome since I was a young child. Years and years of emotional and physical symptoms of various types and degrees has caused much suffering for me. For the first time ever, I feel so hopeful - hopeful I can be cured of this condition once and for all and live a happy and fulfilling life. I never would have believed that my problems were psychological in nature - I'm the strongest person I know! I wish I could have figured it out sooner (I'm 44 years old). I highly recommend this book to others who have not read it. After reading all of Sarno, I was still struggling with a couple of issues. I just had the slightest doubt about whether my symptoms were actually TMS, and I struggled with how I would ever identify the feelings in my subconscious mind that were causing all this internal conflict. This book has taken me the rest of the way. |
ToesintheOcean said in Painfree for a Couple of minutes:
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I worked through Unlearn your pain and it was hugely beneficial for me. After 9 months of excruciating sciatic pain, I am now able to sit for several hours without more than a slight bit of pain. One thing I had to learn working through Dr Shubiner's program and the similar program through this site was not to be hard on myself if I slipped and did not do the exercises every day. good luck! |
BruceMC said in Dr. Schubiner's book and Online Program:
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I did the Unlearn Your Pain workbook right after doing the SEP available on the TMS Wiki. I found that Dr Schubiner's book was more indepth than the SEP, but was doing essentially the same kind of psychological work based on ISTDT techniques. Yes, Dr Schubiner's program is quite good. I still listen to his guided meditation tapes that are included in the back flap of UYP and have found them effective...After finishing the SEP and Unlearn Your Pain, I have continued to do Dr Schubiner's five ISTDP guided meditations on the CD included with UYP. But one thing that's really helped is to progressively challenge my TMS pain by increasing the duration and frequency of my physical workouts. It's slow work, but it seems to have paid off because now I notice that as my strength level and flexibility have increased, my pain has also gone down. It's sort of tricky because my progress is often two steps ahead and then a step or two back. But as I keep plugging away over the months and now years (about 3), it seems as though I'm going to get back to full strength and mobility in the not too distant future. You just have to approach your healing in a slow manner without having any preconceived notion about where you've got to get to and when. I often do breathing exercises at the same time I go over Dr Sarno's 12 Key Thoughts on page 82 of Healing Back Pain too. I quite often do Dr Schubiner's meditations prior to working out too. |
Amazon.com Customer Reviews
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I was diagnosed with mind-body disorder last year. After being diagnosed by a pain physician, I read all of the books by Dr. John Sarno and knew I had it, but for some reason could never get started on the program because it was very difficult to figure out exactly what to do. Some people probably have an easier time, but I am more of a "give me the instructions" type of person. I know a few people get a cure just from reading the Sarno books, but I have had long-term, chronic, severe pain, and it didn't happen that way for me. I pre-ordered Dr. Schubiner's book, and it came the other day. I have read the book cover to cover and am embarking today on my 4-week journey, or however long it takes me. What makes me so excited is there is actually a well-laid-out plan in this book. Very challenging exercises. Lots of soul-searching. And it even includes a CD of his meditations. Not only that, but he frequently refers you to other author's works throughout his own book in case you struggle. This doctor really has people's best interests at heart, and if you even think you suffer from this disorder, your $25 will be very well spent. |
About Howard Schubiner
- Main Article: Howard Schubiner, MD
Dr. Howard Schubiner is board-certified in pediatrics, adolescent medicine, and internal medicine. He was a full Professor at Wayne State University for 18 years and now works at Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI, where he directs the the Mind Body Medicine Program that he founded. This program uses cutting edge research and both meditative and cutting edge psychological techniques to treat individuals who suffer from TMS. He says "Many of us suffer needlessly from pain diagnosed as migraines, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, or chronic neck, back, abdominal, and pelvic pain, when the real cause is Mind Body Syndrome." He is considered a friend of the wiki and has made valuable contributions to the wiki (Source)
Dr. Schubiner has completed the TMSWiki Survey Response in which he describes his practice and TMS treatment approach. He has also contributed to the "Q & A with an expert" page. Dr. Schubiner cohosted the first TMS conference in Ann Arbor in 2009, spoke at the 2nd annual Mind Body Conference in LA in March 2010, and co-organized the clinical training in LA in 2013 with Alan Gordon, LCSW.
Contact Information:
Southfield, Michigan
248 849-4728
248 543-5517
hschubiner@gmail.com
Main Wiki Page About Dr. Schubiner / Survey Response / Howard Schubiner's Online Mind Body Program / Howard Schubiner's Blog Posts / Website
Other Interesting Resources
- Find a TMS Doctor or Therapist
- LA Mind-Body Conference
- When Stress Causes Pain (Clinical Training)
- Dr. Sarno's Treatment Plan
- Power Without Pills Radio Show
- Specific Symptoms and Diagnosis
| DISCLAIMER: The TMS Wiki is for informational and support purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. See Full Disclaimer. |
