Editorial Review

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Reviews (296)

Get rid of back pain - FOREVER
Hello All. I am 29 currently and I have had backpain on and off for over 9 years now. After a particularly nasty back spasm at the gym 2 years back ( where I could hardly walk), I was getting desparate. I looked at physiotherapy,and briefly at some other forms of exercise. I could not find lasting results anywhere and then I came across this book. It was god send. I read it in couple of hours flat. Re-read it next day. Thought a lot about what the author suggests are reasons behind the pain. It is generated from within and the cure also should come from within us. Anyone who thinks that cure CAN ONLY come fromoutside is going to be looking for a cure, the rest of their lives. I analyzed the book ( I am an engineer) and trusted the book.
5 years with back pain, no back pain for 6 years.
There I was, 18 years old, after exercising badly in the gym I developed back issues. An x-ray stated I had a back abnormality. For 5 years I had back pain, evey single day, mid to lower back pain. You know whats its like, the type thats always there.
Great Book!
Dr. Sarno is a true pioneer in regards to diagnosing and treating back pain and has made a tremendous contribution with his discovery of the mind/body connection for this condition. I did, however, as a number of reviewers have pointed out, after reading Healing Back Pain felt the need for additional steps.
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Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Healing    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Mind and body    7. Neck pain    8. Pain Management    9. Psychological aspects    10. Fitness & diet    11. Health & Fitness / Healing   

Editorial Review

Pete Egoscue learned a lot about pain when, as a Marine officer, he waswounded in Vietnam. He segued from patient to physical therapist, and now runs afamous clinic in San Diego, where he claims he's helped 95 percent of his patients curechronic pain--including Jack Nicklaus and Charles Barkley, whose athletic careers hehelped prolong. At the heart of his program are stretches and motion exercises to restoreproper function to muscles and joints. His methods are often surprising andcounterintuitive. For example, for foot pain, he suggests a series of hip exercises. In fact,this is one of the most startling books you'll read about the human organism. Egoscue hasstrong opinions about how modern life is changing the way our bodies function, reducingthe tasks we must perform and thus reducing the functional range of motion of ourmuscles and joints. Fortunately, he offers movement exercises to restore what naturemeant us to have. ... Read more

Reviews (83)

Miracles do happen!
I am an athlete who has had a chronic low back problem for twenty years. I exercised regularly utilizing exercises from the best physical therapists and chiropractors in the Los Angeles area. These exercises and stretch routines barley made a dent in the regular back pain I experienced. The day I received Pain Free I read the book cover to cover and did the chronic pain exercises. It was like a light switch was flipped in my back. I have been almost pain free for the last year since reading the book. The major test for me was whether I could return to running. Having been a marathoner before my back problem I had never been able to run regularly without severe repercussions. I now run three times a week with no repercussions and each week I am increasing my mileage. The maintenance exercises are great and they keep my back well.
After Long Term Use
I have practiced the material in this book diligently for the past 8 months, and I think that sets me apart from the many who review this book after shorter use.The methods described in the book offer short-term relief positions for those in pain from musculosleletal problems.They are not unique, as yoga and physical therapy help in a similar fashion. They did not cure my back/disc related pain. Egoscue's claim that 95% of people doing these excercises will recover in a week is absurd, and his theories, though interesting, are unproven.Who is to say that his "successes" would not have recovered naturally in time?Having said that, I do think the book can give comfort to those in pain, but don't expect a cure.

Some simple exercises can really help
I have just begun to get through this book.I quickly went to the section on back pain and tried the isometric exercises involving squeezing a pillow between your knees.Results were immediate and very beneficial.My back is feeling better than it has in years. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Healing    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Pain Management    6. Pain Medicine    7. Exercise & workout books    8. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (50)

Least expensive tool to relieve pain!
I am a licensed Massage therapist in Hawaii.I stumbled upon Elaine's book and started using it for my neck & back pain.I was pleasantly surprised at how deep my muscles and spine could be worked while I did two simple things Breath and Relax.Although breathing and relaxing is simple it becomes more difficult the longer the balls are in one position and works deeper into the muscles.At that point I choose either to move positions or focus on relaxing further and deeper breathing to let the ball(s) work deeper.
Best gift for chronic pain
This little kit, is a really wonderful and inexpensive way to change your life. Like most office workers, sitting for 8 hours a day, gives a lot of lower back pain and piraformis syndrome.These balls are great to relieve the pain. The only warning I have is to watch how long you stay on the balls.In some areas of the book, she recommends staying on as long as you want.This can do damage if your body isn't ready for it.I made the mistake and did too much of a good thing.Release the muscles and relax into the balls, but remove them and relax some more.This is the perfect workout if you hold your tension, stress and emotions in your muscularture.If you do, and try the workout, you will be free, relaxed, and happy!
Pain free finally- I wish I had got this years ago! WONDERFUL !
I have been in very good shape most of my adult life.
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Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise    4. Exercise therapy    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Pain    8. Pain Management    9. Physical fitness    10. Stress management    11. Stress relaxation    12. Surgery - General    13. Exercise & workout books    14. Health & Fitness / Exercise    15. MEDICAL / Surgery / General    16. Popular medicine   

Editorial Review

Dr. John Sarno caused quite a ruckus back in 1990 when he suggested that back pain is all in the head. In his bestselling book, Read more

Reviews (100)

transformation
I have not even finished reading this book yet, and already, I am feeling a lot less pain.I am a 27-year-old woman.I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, abdominal wall pain, and irritable bowel syndrome.I have been through physical therapy, special diets, and a chronic pain clinic, not to mention a boatload of painkillers. A great discovery in the quest to rid chronic pain
This works! Do not simply disregard the theories because they are radically different from other approaches and ideas behind chronic pain used by practioneers the world over.If you are open-minded enough to just embrace the idea and remain persistent, you will be pleasantly surprised!The fact is had I RSI FOR two years, but before ever reading sarno the following things did not make sense to me:
Sceptic Turned Believer
I am a writer/editor who endured seven years of carpel tunnel-like symptoms: tingling, pain, weakness, and numbness from both wrists all the way up to my neck. I underwent every possible treatment, mainstream and alternative, but nothing worked. One day, someone who had similar pain told me how she was cured by this book. I didn't believe her, but I was desperate: at the time I was taking the highest dosage of my painkillers, and had just quit my job because the pain was crippling. After two months of reading Dr. Sarno's book nonstop and learning how the pain was psychosomatic--which has a bad rap for being fake; it's real pain that is initiated from the brain--I was off of my meds and almost pain-free. Within four months I was pain-free. It's been one and half years and I'm still pain-free!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Consumer Health    4. Healing - General    5. Medicine, Psychosomatic    6. Mind and body therapies    7. New Age    8. Pain    9. Pain Management    10. Psychosomatic aspects    11. Sales & Selling - General    12. Body, Mind & Spirit / Mental & Spiritual Healing    13. Mind, Body, Spirit   

Reviews (47)

Essential item for people with back pain.
This book was recommended to me by a senior physiotherapist at my local public hospital.It contains an effective set of excercises and advice as to how to prevent and treat back pain.

This book changed my life...really.
I had severe back pain for most of my teenage years, but when I got to college my lower back hurt so much that it made it almost impossible for me to sit through lectures.The pain was so bad that I could hardly move from bed on many days.
Simple and effective
I had a severe disc herniation at L5-S1.My physical therapist recommended this book.In fact, I have had therapists tell me they are "McKenzie trained."The book is simple to follow and truly helps relieve my sciatic nerve pain.My therapist recommended doing the exercises every 2 hours if I have acute pain.I credit physical therapy and this book with saving me from surgery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    5. Exercise    6. Exercise therapy    7. General    8. Health & Fitness    9. Pain Management    10. Self-Help    11. Popular medicine   

Reviews (16)

If you're having back or other pain, this is a book for you!
Back pain . . . if you've had it or do have it (or know somebody who
Uh OK - Now What???
Hmmmm he goes deep into the history of issues involving the mind, to the point of boredom.Then he goes deep into what types of physical disorders come from the mind having the issues.But then nothing.There is one and a half pages on what you might do in order to assist in resolving these issues.Come on, if this is truly meant to help people then give them something to work with instead of just recommending psychotherapy.I agree with the concept that child abuse/neglect can create hell for the rest of that person's life - but give specific ways to help in getting rid of the garbage instead of what was laid out in this book.He makes way too many references to purchase his other books throughout this book.Just another book thats "all about the money" and not truly about helping others!

Dr. Sarno--You've Done it Again!

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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Medicine, Psychosomatic    6. Mind and body    7. Pain Management    8. Physiological Psychology    9. United States    10. Health & Fitness / Pain Management   

Editorial Review

The first edition of this workbook is regarded as a classic in its field, and was the first book to introduce trigger point therapy to the general public as a self-care tool for alleviating chronic pain caused by a variety of conditions, including arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, headache, muscle ache, and repetitive strain injuries. As the author makes clear, all such conditions are related to lack of oxygen in exhausted or injured muscle tissue. Trigger point therapyhas been used for decades by doctors, pain specialists, and massage therapists to quickly stimulate the flow of oxygen and promote rapid pain reduction. This book makes the same techniques available to the general public with instructions that are easy to follow, and abetted by an extensive collection of charts and corresponding illustrations. Read more

Reviews (107)

Okay, But...
This a good trigger point therapy workbook, complete with "rubberball" tools, but the problem is, once again, this therapy is being touted as the "be-all-end-all" approach to pain management and health.Trigger point is a modality, a bodywork modality, and needs to be recognized as such.Just as massage, reflexology,and shiatsu are modalities, there needs to be a line drawn so people don't confuse this with a health book.Gangi's book does much better in defining our path to balanced health, and also redefines therapies such as this one so people aren't confused or misled. High on the list because it's used in massage schools, but not the best for people wanting to find the cause of their pain, and then dealing with it.

A Useful Book for Me
The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook is founded on Travell and Simons' research, but it's Travell and Simons LITE.Sixteen-hundred pages of difficult medical language have been reduced to a concise, easy-to-read 323 pages, while retaining all the essentials of trigger point science.
'Trigger Happy'
Feel a sore "knot" in your neck? Back? Leg? Then you likely know trigger points. Headaches? Sore back? Hip? Then you likely know trigger points. Why not get to know them better - and help them move out! The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook clearly explains trigger points, how to locate them, and how to de-activate them. There are well over 100 muscles identified (including pronunciations) in this book. The delightful news is that you don't need to learn them all (or how to pronounce them) before you begin! Thanks to the smartly-designed illustrations and easy-to-understand guidelines, you can begin the healing process right away! Being a colossal skeptic, I am hesitant whenever I encounter an exaggerated claim...but here goes. This book has actually changed my life! And I'm confident it will continue to do so. Within two days of using this book, I felt genuine relief from my long-time companion: pain. As a great believer in the "patient, heal thyself" approach, I have tried many remedies over the years - including massage, reflexology and accupressure. I continued the search. I was aware of trigger points and some of the mischief they can cause, however, it was not until I came across this book that I actually understood trigger points. This book has changed my life - and I'm thrilled to have found it! Can this book change your life? Yes. Will this book change your life? I encourage even the most skeptic of skeptics to give it a try. You will be glad you did. Mr. Davies and his daughter, Amber, have given us the tools to help us help ourselves heal. They note on page 45: "You deserve to be pain free. Give yourself this gift." It's in your hands - literally. A piece of advice...get yourself a good highlighter. You'll want one. Happy healing!
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Subjects:  1. Acupuncture points    2. Alternative treatment    3. Chiropractic treatment    4. Consumer Health    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Myofascial pain syndromes    9. Pain    10. Pain Management    11. Rheumatology    12. Complementary Medicine    13. Popular medicine   

Editorial Review

What causes chronic, debilitating back pain, one of the most common--andexpensive to treat--ailments in the world? According to Robin McKenzie, a NewZealand physiotherapist for over 40 years and author of the wildly popularself-help manuals Read more

Reviews (41)

Good read for those with back pain
Has stretches that definitely help reduce chronic neck and back pain. Recommended by my physician.Stunned that the chiropractor never told me about it!

Book Review of 7Steps to a Pain-Free Life
This book was written in a clear and straight foward style and packed with invaluable information for back and neck pain sufferers.
Good Health and a Pain Free Back
This book is much more than a few simple exercises. It taught me a lot of things, from why I should not be lifting heavy things first thing in the morning to what is the proper way to sneeze (looking up). Posture is extremely important.The pain will surely come back if the posture is not corrected, no matter how many exercises you do all these things was necessary for me to learn from this book.Read the book and learn from the advice about good posture etc,.So the book really helps me, and I completely recommend it.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Alternative treatment    3. Backache    4. Consumer Health    5. Diseases - Musculoskeletal    6. Exercise therapy    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Neck pain    10. Pain Management    11. Health & Fitness / Pain Management   

Reviews (29)

Extremely Helpful
I have scoliosis and this book has been a tremendous resource in understanding and caring for my condition. The book is a good start and it eventually got me interested in taking some yoga classes and exploring some of the different practices. I'm so glad I found this book; yoga has been a positive force in my life for some time now.

Real yoga, really good advice, well written
Lots of back pain books provide exercises, but this one takes them directly from the Iyenger Yoga method; Iyenger revolutionized Yoga from the 1960's to the present by applying contemporary knowledge of anatomy and physiology to the traditional and spiritual aspects of yoga.Teachers trained and certified in Iyenger Yoga are a 'cut' above others from my lengthy experience with Yoga practice. That said, dr. Schatz uses Iyenger's methods (Iyenger also wrote the intro) to design a comprehensive program for all types of back and neck problems; she also provides accurate and clear illustrations of the spine structure and related anatomy.The photos are very clear and easy to understand as are the instructions of asanas and restorative poses..The book is the right length, size and format.Many back problems can be treated.This book offers programs for many of them; also included is a self-analysis of one's own current posture and alignment.This is no quick fix book; the programs she recommends may take a couple of years to 'work' but it's definitely worth it to live a more vigorous, pain reduced or pain free life.

Review by former physiology instructor and past back pain sufferer!
This is my favorite book for addressing back pain issues.It presents a great foundation in the basic anatomy of the back and then uses this information to develop the concepts that help people understand why back and neck pain occur and how to correct it.
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Subjects:  1. Backache    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise therapy    4. Hatha yoga    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Neck pain    8. Pain Management    9. Surgery - General    10. Therapeutic use    11. Yoga    12. Popular medicine    13. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (148)

An essential and effective tool for coping with headaches.
I highly recommend this book as a comprehensive, patient-oriented primer on headaches. It is unique when an authority such as Dr. Buchholz succinctly presents both academic and experiential information on a common disorder which seems to have eluded resolution with most healthcare practitioners. He systematically provides an overview of the field through his extensive knowledge of research, anecdotal reports and experience with a myriad of patients. Having been a patient of Dr. Buchholz, I can emphatically attest to the wisdom, compassion and understanding that he brings to his treatment dynamic. By presenting a stratified educational, behavioral and pharaceutical treatment protocol, he provides not only a foundation for prevention but a unique vehicle for patients to assume collaborative responsibility for their treatment outcome. He has effectively created an essential tool in the arsenal of approaches to coping with headaches.
Heal Your Headache - The 1-2-3 Program
I first began having migraines when I was eleven years old. Sometime in my mid-forties, these increased in duration and intensity to about fifteen excruciating days a month. I tried everything that was offered by a variety of doctors - abortive drugs, prophylactic drugs, bio-feedback, acupuncture, chiropractic, hypnosis, oxygen...Nothing helped. I was desperate. Then I saw on Good Morning America an interview with a woman who had been all but cured of her migraines. She had practiced the guidelines set forth in the book Heal Your Headache by David Buchholz. I immediately ordered the book. As soon as it arrived, I began to follow Dr. Buchholz's 1-2-3 Program. In about two weeks, I was noticing improvement. After three months, I was down to three days of migraine a month with much less intensity. It has been about three years now, and I am still doing great. Every now and then I'll have migraines six days a month, but that is still a long way from the fifteen I had been having. I can say without reserve that Dr. Buchholz has given me my life back. I am deeply grateful to him! If you are a migraine sufferer (and you must be to be reading this) please read this book.
Great book
This was a eye opening book...I have had migraines for over 10 yrs.I have been thru every doctor, drug, book, diet, etc that I could find.Either they wouldn't work or would work for a short period of time.
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. General    4. Headache    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Migraine    8. Neurology - Headache    9. Pain Management    10. Popular works    11. Coping with illness    12. FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / General    13. Health & Fitness / Pain Management    14. Popular medicine    15. Headaches   

Reviews (13)

What huge RIP OFF!!!!!!!!!!
90% of all the exercises are strictly yoga poses.I am throughly disgusted that I spent my good money on a BIG RIP OFF!2/3 of the book is spent with Mr. Weisberg loving the view of his own words in print.
Good Book
Prevention is the key with any joint pain issues and this book helps you understand and prevent them from occuring.

Good advice despite the over-hyped title.
Hardly a "revolutionary" program for those who have read anything about the muscular-skeletal structure of the human body, the interrelations of muscles and joints, and the importance of keeping the muscles stretched.But the author does offer an inviting, simple, and feasible set of six exercises which, if done religiously every day, 30 seconds per exercise, can prevent further abuses and damage (the title's apparent promise of restoration or a "cure" seems a bit exaggerated).Compared to the impossibly long list of tedious, often painful and exhausting exercises given me by my PT, Dr. Weisberg's program is cause for a sigh of relief.
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Subjects:  1. Chronic pain    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise therapy    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Pain (Medical Aspects)    7. Pain Management    8. Prevention    9. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (29)

My Clients Love this Joint Mobility
Regardless of how Pavel markets his stuff, Super Joints is a lesson in smooth easy motion that will relieve joint pain and inflexibility. Pavel, a strength and conditioning guru, explains the secrets of flexible and pain free joints in this exercise workbook. Perfect for anyone with knee, back, shoulder, and neck pain.
Waste of money
I'm giving this book such a low rating because of the ridiculous price. I bought it and read it a few years ago and I never feel the need to make reference to it. I question the actual value of the exercises. Recently when I was doing basic military training, I was doing some small knee circles before morning pt. One of the medical officers in my platoon walked over to me and said "stop that, that won't do a thing for you". For what I paid to read about this technique, that should have been the last thing on the mind of a medical professional.

Mediocrity Holds Sway
I bought this book on the grounds that it would aid me in correcting my posture and improving mobility. That it does. It has drills for the active as well as the "soft living" sedentary folks, young and old alike. A great deal of which require a period to work up to if you're not the most flexible individual.This book holds fast to Dragon Door standards of large font, a slightly repetitive nature and directing many explanations and concepts to other books from the publisher.Super Joints is not the most compelling literary work out there, but it will suffice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Pain Management    7. Exercise & workout books   

Reviews (5)

Manage Pain without Medication
I've known Dr. Scott Brady for fifteen years and have seen him live out his values and grow stronger in spite of setbacks. His new book is a proven method of pain management with cutting edge techniques that put you in control of a better quality of life. If you or someone you love is facing chronic pain this new approach will give you decades of research full of creative ways to find relief for about the same cost as a copayment. Check it out and then let Scott know your thoughts since he is the kind of doctor who really cares about his patients getting results.

Pain Free
I have had chronic back pain for 6 years. Medication was becoming very expensive. Since I have read this book I've thrown my medication away! Amazing!

Jumping For Joy!
Thank you Dr. Brady! I have found relief within a few weeks, for pain I have had my whole life! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Alternative treatment    3. Chronic pain    4. Consumer Health    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Holistic Medicine    8. Pain (Medical Aspects)    9. Pain Management    10. Popular works    11. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (2)

Visualization = relief
Eric Franklin, a dancer and choreographer, has been teaching imaging techniques for years to dancers and others.Imaging is basically using visualization to relax the body.Sounds hokey?It isn't - it truly works!
A Daily Guide to releasing stress and feeling WONDERFUL!
This book is entertaining, informative, intellegent, helpful, challenging and instructive on how to reduce tension and increase relaxation. Eric Franklin uses his words and pictures to easily teach us how to reduce neck and shoulder pain within a few minutes and sometimes just by using our imagination. Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Exercise    3. Exercise therapy    4. Healing    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Neck pain    8. Pain Management    9. Prevention    10. Relaxation    11. Shoulder pain    12. Surgery - General    13. Dance    14. Exercise & workout books   

Reviews (8)

Yoga for Health Knees: What You Need to Know for Pain Prevention and Rehabilitation
Excellent Book.Well illustrated and easy to follow.Well designed for people with joint problems, who want to strenghthen their bodies through yoga.

Yoga for Healthy Knees
If you have any problem with your knee, this is the right choice of book to read.
What a steal!
Knees bees. Whatever. Just got this book a week ago, so as far as helping knees per se, don't know, but most impressed with it. These few yoga exercises limbers up the entire hip, leg area. It identifies which side is tighter. She even rightly points out to go barefoot often to strengthen feet that have been too conditioned to shoes.
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Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Physical Therapy    2. Consumer Health    3. Hatha Yoga    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Musculoskeletal Diseases    7. Pain Management    8. Physiology    9. Yoga    10. Health & Fitness / Yoga    11. Popular medicine    12. Yoga for exercise   

Subjects:  1. Back Pain    2. Backache    3. Consumer Health    4. Diseases    5. Diseases - Heart    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health and hygiene    8. Health/Fitness    9. Medical / Nursing    10. Pain Management    11. Surgery - General    12. Treatment    13. Women    14. Women's Health - General    15. Health & Fitness / Women's Health   

Reviews (6)

Excellent information on effective, inexpensive, nonaddictive, safe, nonsurgical pain control
Unfortunately, many effective, less expensive, safe pain treatments receive almost no advertising, since they are not very profitable for manufacturers or practitioners. FDA approval for a new treatment or procedure usually requires clinical trials costing at least $[...]. Naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, hormones and herbs are not patentable, unless the natural molecule is altered or a new delivery system is developed. Insurers seldom pay for treatments and procedures, which are not FDA approved. Universities and medical schools rely heavily on financial support from pharmaceutical manufacturers.Most effective inexpensive remedies will never receive the expensive newspaper, magazine, radio and television publicity, which more expensive patented prescription medications receive. Many of our patients have had numerous endoscopies and scans, costing thousands of dollars, which did not provide as much useful diagnostic or treatment information as the reader can obtain from reading this book. Teitelbaum's protocols and concepts have been especially effective with our migraine sufferers, many of whom have reduced their migraine pain, 96 to 98 percent, without using any painkillers. Thanks to this book and compounding pharmacists, we have been able to formulate prescription pain creams which relieve 90 to 100 percent of fibromyalgia pain, in our patients, with virtually no side effects and no addiction risk. We have successfully eliminated numerous restless leg syndromes, chronic fatigue syndromes and irritible bowel syndromes, using