Quote:

Sarno says that this "bulging disc" stuff is basically bogus. That if you x-ray a huge sample of the general public, you'll find that many many-- if not most-- people have "bulging discs" and no pain whatsoever. That you can compare the x-ray of a person with severe back pain with that of a person-- or dozens of people-- with no back pain and that the x-rays will be identical with respect to the appearance of the discs, vertebrae, etc.



If that is what he said, then he is absolutely full of crap. A more rediculous assertion, I have never heard. Of course their x-rays will all look the same. You can't see this tissue on an x-ray!!!
You most certainly CAN see a difference, very plainly, on an MRI. (not possible in 1981..."the dark ages" comparitavely speaking). The level of detail that you can see is quite astounding. looks like a backbone is sticking out its tongue really! "everyone" does NOT have this condition, believe me.

now, this is not to say that emotional distress won't exacerbate just about anything...but to suggest that there isn't anything physical in nature is just poppycock.
anyone who has felt what I felt when I was hospitalized with it would never make such an assertion. I have a hard time finding words to describe the pain. It felt like I was being run through with a broad sword. not "boo boo" type pain, which throbs or stays "sore" constantly. Once the initial attack was controlled (heavy sedation), I was ok as long as I didn't move. move the wrong way, (touch the nerve), and I'd be on the ceiling. stop doing that: no pain. they kept offering me pain killers, which I refused, because I didn't need them...as long as I didn't move.
anyway, I couldn't move for 3 days. Then I couldn't walk without crutches for a couple of weeks. all the while, like walking a tight rope...one false move and "yikes!!".

as far as the "stigma" goes...the problem seems to be one of communication. "no, I mean REAL back pain". "oh, sorry, I thought you just meant "back pain". Seriously, even the insurance company initially refused to pay for my hosptialization, saying "you don't need to be admitted to the hospital for a sore back". Obviously, they did not understand. Luckily, someone from the hospital must have explained it to them, because I got another letter shortly thereafter saying that they had changed their mind.

Oh, and I asked my doc about taking "advil"...he actually snorted at the thought. said that it wouldn't touch this problem. What they Rx'd is a much, much stronger anti-inflamatory. that and skeletal muscle relaxants (in combination) is the standard of care these days, until they decide that they need to take further action.