David L. Schechter - Think Away Your Pain: Your Brain is the Solution to Your Pain

Praise from Physicians, Therapists and Practitioners for

THINK YOUR PAIN AWAY

I have long recommended the work of John Sarno, and his mind-body approach to chronic pain. As a student and colleague of Sarno, Dr. Schechter is able to explain the mechanism involved and tell you not only what to think about pain, but challenge you to explore how to think about pain in order to get relief.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Author of 8 Weeks to Optimum Health and Healthy Aging

I highly recommend Dr. Schechters book. It is readable, accessible, and insightful, and based on his long history in the diagnosis and treatment of Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS).

John E. Sarno, M.D.

Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine

NYU School of Medicine

Chronic low back pain is more likely a brain than a back disorder. Dr. Schechters focus on the brain and the cognitive retraining he offers patients has proven value in treatment. Dr. Schechters clinical evaluations of the cognitive and psychosocial issues are astute and this book focuses on the symbiosis between mental health and chronic pain.

Thomas Jones, M.D.

Neurosurgeon and Medical Director

Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute

Dr. David Schechter is one of the most skilled and experienced physicians in the entire country in the treatment of chronic pain with a mind-body approach (TMS). Not only has he helped dozens of my patients in their recovery, he played a significant role in the elimination of my own chronic pain symptoms.

Alan Gordon, LCSW

Director of the Pain Psychology Center
USC School of Social Work.

Dr. David Schechter has written a book derived from years of medical experience--full of human wisdom, compassion and excellent practical guidance for those who suffer from chronic and unexplained pain. The book allows the reader an enlightening conversation with a man who not only is an expert in mind-body treatment, but who cares enough about his patients to want to save them unnecessary suffering, time, detrimental procedures and costs. A clarifying contribution to this otherwise confusing and painful subject.

Arnold Chanon Bloch, LCSW

Psychotherapist.

Think Away Your Pain has advanced Mind Body Medicine to a whole new level! Dr. David Schechters vast knowledge and effectiveness in teaching those with chronic pain to control their own destiny through self-awareness has allowed his patients to become independent and often pain-free. The philosophy and methodology of Think Away Your Pain is a life changer!

Matthew Stodolsky, PT, MSPT

Physical Therapist

If you are in chronic pain or know someone that is, this is an important book. Dr. Schechters book is a beacon of light on the long, dark, chronic pain journey. With his compassionate insight, and formidable experience, Dr. Schechter teaches us how we can focus on the psychological rather than get caught up in our physical symptoms. This is the key to recovery. He teaches us how we can actually think away our pain...

Jill Solomon, MFT

Psychotherapist

In Think Away Your Pain , Dr. David Schechter truly demystifies the concept of mind-body pain, and provides clear and concrete steps that pain sufferers can take to finally heal their pain. This book is an ideal resource for pain sufferers and healing professionals alike.

Jessica Oifer, MA
Marriage and Family Therapist

Testimonials from Actual Patients and Professionals

Dr. David Schechters book is a watershed event; for those who have suffered for years this comprehensive assault on inexplicable pain is a torch in the darkness to lead the sufferer back to a pain-free, joyous existence. The genuineness of the man is reflected in the text; I know because I suffered in the prison of my body for 27 years until he worked with me and set me free.

David Shapiro , Film/TV Composer

Dr. Schechter has been able to write about TMS and the connection between my brain and pain in a way that I could easily understand, relate to and apply in my daily life. With Dr. Schechters book and guidance, I came to appreciate how the many doctors that came before him actually perpetuated my symptoms and reinforced a mindset of frailty within me. The role that physical pain plays in my life has greatly diminished since Ive read his work and in those rare instances where pain tries to creep in, I have a consolidated and clear resource that I quickly turn to as my line of first defense. For this, I am grateful!

John Sutton , Vice President
Fortune 500 Company

I was introduced to Dr. Schechter a couple of years ago through Dr. John Sarnos office at NYU. I was at my wits end, suffering from debilitating headaches. I could not work, let alone sleep or even eat. Nothing seemed to help, and I was ultimately advised by specialists that I would need to take powerful medication with severe side-effects for probably the rest of my life. Probably the most important gift he gave me was his compassionate acknowledgment that the pain was real and that I was not crazy.

As he does in this important book, Dr. Schechter immediately demystified the bodys pain process and experience for me, and he gave me a workable methodology to heal myself, without any medication, body, mind, and spirit. He helped me to understand why my personality-type was contributing to my extreme flair-ups of pain. Within days, I was pain-free, and for years now I have been able to care for myself and follow a system that allows me to live a great life. I am forever grateful.

Peter Capozzi , Executive Producer

The PBS TV show Jazzy Vegetarian

Dr. Schechter has given me the tools to recognize TMS in my patients and together we have helped patients achieve life changing experiences in chronic pain. His approach is unique, empowering, effective, and wellness oriented. I have seen drastic, positive changes in my TMS patients when they see Dr. Schechter. I strongly recommend this important book.

Tara Pollak , DPT, Physical Therapist

I am writing to express my thanks for helping me achieve what I had previously given up hope on. As you know, before I saw you I had severe back pain and had experienced frustrating episodes of plantar fasciitis and patellar tendinitis dating back to high school. Now I am completely pain free, and I know that I have been cured for good.

J. H. , Patient

I also just wanted to thank Dr. Schechter again because it is thanks to him giving me the correct diagnosis of TMS that I have been able to work full time again for the first time in 12 years! What a joy Thank you for your important work, it changes peoples lives!

Lisa E. , Patient

I have known Dr. Schechter for over 15 years. This book is a tremendous synthesis of the neuroscience information as it relates to the TMS syndrome. I encourage all clinicians to read this book and improve your clinical practice.

Gerald Edwards , DC, Chiropractor

All of the patient stories described in this book reflect real and actual experiences. All of the names, situations and demographic data have been changed to fully protect the privacy of my patients.

Copyright 2014, David Schechter, M.D.

Think Away Your Pain

ISBN: 978-1-929997-17-6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014916982

First Printing, 2014

Printed in the United States of America

Interior Design by Gordy Grundy

Cover Design by Gordy Grundy

Photography by Kareem Assassa, The Beverly Hills Photographer

Printed by Bang Printing, Valencia, CA

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning, or by any information retrieval or storage system, without the prior consent of the publisher.