Book Review: The Pain Relief Secret - How to Retrain Your Nervous System, Heal Your Body, and Overcome Chronic Pain by Sarah Warren

 

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• ASIN : B07W7PG7ZC 
• Publisher : TCK Publishing 
• Price: INR 99/-
• Genre: Nonfiction, Self-help, Healthy Living and Wellness, Chronic Pain, Health 

  Book Blurb

You Can Heal from Chronic Pain 

We’ve been sold a lie: The world tells us that pain is inevitable, that our bodies must break down as we age, and that there’s nothing we can do about it. Researchers develop new drugs to manage our pain; surgeons dream up new techniques to repair worn-out joints. But we never truly feel better. Here’s the shocking truth: The vast majority of the pain that plagues our aging bodies is self-inflicted. It’s caused by the way we use our bodies every day—the way we sit, the way we stand, the way we walk and run. But with simple exercises, anybody can learn to heal their chronic musculoskeletal pain, and prevent future pain, injury, and joint problems from developing. The Pain Relief Secret explores the fascinating science of pain, and instructs readers in Clinical Somatics, a method of neuromuscular education that relieves chronic muscle tightness, restores natural posture and movement, and eliminates pain—all without medication or surgery. Students of Clinical Somatics have healed from chronic back pain, joint and nerve pain, scoliosis, and many other common pain conditions—all without medication or surgery. 

Best of all, Clinical Somatics puts the power in your hands. You don’t need special training or expensive repeat visits to a physical therapist. Clinical Somatics exercises are practiced on your own and in your very own home. This is The Pain Relief Secret—your key to taking back your body from a lifetime of pain. 

This book is great for anyone who has tried chiropractic treatments, naturopathy, yoga, physiotherapy, or massage therapy and still experiences chronic pain. You will love this book if you are interested in: Yoga, Pilates, massage, or meditation Natural healing Curing sciatica, TMJ, iliopsoas syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis pain, and other common pain conditions Lower back pain relief CARS (Controlled Articular Rotations) or FRC (Functional Range Conditioning)Thomas Hanna or Moshe Feldenkrais.

About the Author

Sarah Warren is a Certified Clinical Somatic Educator and owner of Somatic Movement Center. She has helped people with chronic muscle and joint pain, back pain, sciatica, scoliosis, and many other painful musculoskeletal conditions become pain-free by practicing Thomas Hanna’s groundbreaking method of Clinical Somatic Education. Clinical Somatics exercises are a highly effective, long-lasting alternative to traditional methods of pain management. Sarah is passionate about teaching her students how to take care of themselves and helping them through their journey toward lasting health. 

You can contact Sarah and learn more about Clinical Somatics at somaticmovementcenter.com.

Review

I have been living with Hashimoto since 2012. Chronic pain is one of the many things, this debilitating auto-immune disorder brings along. Without getting into much details about my condition, I want to focus on living with chronic pain and the role this book could play in helping one cope with it.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is pain that lasts a long time. (Source: Wikipedia)

What causes it?

It can be any autoimmune disorder, invisible illnesses, injuries, surgeries etc.

If asked to describe this book in one word, I would say- Cathartic.

In the very beginning of the book, the reader is told what to expect in this book, why did Sarah Warren write this and why are we in pain. In an honest and candid manner, she soothes any fears or doubts one might have before embarking on this journey of healing.

The book starts by breaking chronic pain, chapter by chapter into easy to understand portions. Warren talks about the causes and impact all of those causes can have on our body to react with chronic pain. Backed with immense research and her expertise, she further talks about the solutions that can be adapted by anyone who is living with chronic pain which include OTC drugs, surgeries, physiotherapy, exercises etc. 

As someone who is living with chronic pain since 2012, I can claim this book was immensely helpful to me in coping with the constant pain my body was in. 2020 wasn't an easy year for so many of us and I am so glad towards the end of this monstrous year, I found solace and comfort in this brilliant book. 

Further down the book, after the introductions to chronic pain, Warren talks about the modality which changed her life and through which, she wants to change the lives of anyone and everyone living with chronic pain. The modality is somatics. She then takes us through the whole basis of somatics, its history, the science behind its working and why does it work. 

My favourite portion has to be where she explains the connection between emotions and postures. Pain, especially when it is chronic is sometimes felt even emotionally as it is depressing to be in constant pain, unable to do any of the usual activities and not be able to sleep peacefully at night.

Through graphic diagrams and charts, she talks about various chronic pain syndromes, dissects the possible reasons and shares the exercises which might help one cope with the pain levels in a better manner. 

One thing that stands out for me throughout the book is the author's tone. It is friendly and understanding. It does not sound mechanical, rather it sounds like that of someone who is keen on helping you and also understand your problem. I have read many books before on Chronic Pain and found many of them lacking in this department. If you make it too technical and analytical, for a layman it becomes too difficult to follow and comprehend. Many times, such books have given me nightmares and scared me beyond words. I have spent sleepless nights after reading them, worrying about the worse my illness can bring along.

But after reading this book, I feel comforted. For I know, there is a solution to deal with my pain better and there is someone who understands it to help me cope with it. 

Warren's exercises are simple and easy to follow. Through this book, the author makes us aware about our body. I felt like I had been reintroduced to my body and this time, for a better and hopeful tomorrow.

I would strongly recommend this book to everyone and anyone who is living with chronic pain and also to caregivers. This will help you understand the situation of the pain warrior better and help them cope with it. This book is a life-changer in every way. 

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