Any success with The Way Out by Alan Gordon or books by John Sarno MD?

Hello @ripley. I'd like to also add Mayo Clinic's Guide to Fibromyalgia to this list as well, https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/product/mayo-clinic-guide-to-fibromyalgia/.

With some research, it looks as though Alan Gordon is a certified clinical social worker. This is not say that he is not qualified to help with the mental health that comes along with chronic pain, but to provide a bit more context on who wrote the book. The mind body connection can be a powerful one. Mayo Clinic has a pain rehabilitation clinic that focuses on that as well, https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691.

@ripley, how are managing with your fibromyalgia currently?

@ripley I have been using Alan Gordon's book, The Way Out, as part of my pain management plan for quite a while. I especially found the section on "observing" my pain helpful (I don't have it in hand right now to give you the page.) It was possibly the fourth or fifth book/strategy I tried.

Let me explain - I have a rotator cuff issue that is mystifying me, my PT & my chiropractor & resisting every effort at dealing with it. One morning last summer, I woke up with a HIGH pain level in my neck/shoulder/upper back, different from the usual. I stepped into a hot shower, made an effort to relax the painful area, and stood there, waiting to see what would happen. Slowly, the tense muscle released, the pain subsided, and the numbness along my arm eased. It was my first of several experiences over last summer where I could acknowledge a specific pain, then using relaxation and stretching tools, relieve it.

Yesterday, after a day of physical labor preparing a kitchen backsplash for installation, challenging my arthritic elbow, hands and wrists, and tugging on my still-resistant rotator cuff, I was prepared for a night of pain, numbness and discomfort. Instead, I warmed the area, then did progressive relaxation and stretching exercises before sleep. I woke up at 7 am realizing I had not had pain and tingling throughout the night.

Today, after a morning of household chores and 2 weeks of laundry, I relaxed by painting with friends (art) for 2 hours. Then I spent 2 more hours of completing the backsplash - tonight I will repeat the heat-relax-stretch and hope for another night of restful sleep.

So what can I say?
"The Way Out" is definitely a tool to address chronic pain. Both my local Pain Rehabilitation Clinic and my "magical" PT recommend it.
It is not a cure, but offers different ways to view and manage pain.

My chronic pain will always be with me. How I handle it is up to me, and does and will change over time. My husband, my daughter and I all live with chronic pain. Each of us has found different treatments and strategies.

I hope you will find a strategy that works for you.
Sue

I read The Way Out by Gordon, shortly after I was diagnosed with neural pain in legs and feet after a stroke. I also signed up for the Curable app which is an interactive way to implement Gordon's strategies for pain. I've found many of the strategies very helpful in changing my relationship to the pain in a way that helps me live with it. Many people on Curable seem to entirely rid themselves of the pain, and for awhile, I felt like I was a failure. But, after three years, I've accepted that not all of us can become pain free, but there are ways to improve our suffering and balance it with more joy in life.

What I found compelling about the book was that he was able to correlate his “treatment” with areas of the brain through MRIs and using other scientific tools. He was able to actually record changes in the brain. If this was not the case, I think I would have dismissed his advice as “woo woo” stuff. However, I believe there may be some merit in the ideas presented.

Which book are you referring to? Also, did the book help you relieve pain? Thanks.

The Way Out. The book does help with neuroplasric pain for sure.

A comment on neuroplastic pain. This morning I was struggling because I spent several days doing more physically than I should have. Everything hurt - even my hair and fingernails! Today was supposed to be "my day" to focus on creative projects for an upcoming show, but my body was protesting - loudly.
I took a hot and reflective shower, did my morning yoga, added a few stretches for the worst pain, and picked up the project - 4 hours later, I realized that I had finished over half of my tasks for the build!

Interestingly, as soon as I stopped, the pain jumped back to the forefront and I had to mentally push it away to visit with neighbors,during social hour.

I hope to repeat this exercise tomorrow with a morning field trip and afternoon work session.

Does payment for the Curable app cover unlimited use, or is it only good for a year? Also, if a person gets the app, do you think it would help to read the book first? Many Amazon reviews said the book was largely a series of personal examples with little advice on the actual steps the reader can take to help themselves. Thanks.

My symptoms are getting progressively worse. The only medication I take is a muscle relaxant (Flexeril 5mg) before bed during bad flares. I have read lots of info online by the Mayo Clinic about Fibro.

Does the book explain the relaxation and stretching exercises that help? Thanks.