Dharma Singh Khalsa - The Pain Cure: The Proven Medical Program That Helps End Your Chronic Pain

The program described in this book is not intended to be a substitute for medical care and advice. You are advised to consult with your health care professional with regard to all matters relating to your attention. In particular, if you have any special condition requiring medical attention, or if you are taking or have been advised to take (or to refrain from taking) any medication, you should consult regularly with your physician regarding possible modification of the program contained in this book. health, including matters which may require diagnosis or medical

The identity of some of the patients referred to in this book, and certain details about them, have been modified or are presented in composite form.

The information provided in this book is based upon sources that the authors believe to be reliable. All such information regarding specific products and companies is current as of August 1998.

THE PAIN CURE. Copyright 1999 by Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., with Cameron Stauth. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Warner Books

Hachette Book Group

237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Visit our website at www.HachetteBookGroup.com

ISBN: 978-0-7595-2192-6

First eBook Edition: February 2001

For all people in pain everywhere:

May this book set you free

and

For David Stauth

Many of the people who were so instrumental in the success of our first book, Brain Longevity, were again very helpful and supportive.

I must first thank my spiritual teacher, The Sri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan, for everything he has done for humanity.

Cameron Stauth, my co-author, worked long and hard to bring this book to production. His research initiative and writing ability are par excellence.

Cam and I again salute the vision of our agent, Richard Pine, who got The Pain Cure off the ground. Thank you, Richard, for your unwavering support and insight. Artie Pine was also there when we needed him, and his suggestions were, as always, astute.

Appreciation to Maureen Egen, the President and C.O.O. of Warner Books, for her outstanding leadership. We are very happy and blessed to be working under her guidance. Jackie Joiner, Warners secret weapon and a real friend, was always helpful in getting things done. Besides that, Jackie is a lot of fun to talk to and work with.

Our editors at Warner Books, Colleen Kapklein and Diana Baroni, did a fantastic job with the manuscript, and we know we have a great future together.

My personal thanks to Arielle Ford of the Ford Group in La Jolla, California, for doing an outstanding job as my publicist. I think Deepaks right: Arielle is the best publicist in the world.

I would like to thank and acknowledge all of my friends and colleagues who reviewed the manuscript and wrote comments.

Special thanks to Jerry Calkins, Ph.D., M.D., and Michael Loes, M.D., of the Arizona Pain Institute; Richard Weiner, Ph.D., of the American Academy of Pain Management; and Mark Hahn, D.O., of the Penn State College of Medicine. I also salute Somers and Susan White for the sage advice in all matters and their priceless friendship.

My love and admiration to my beautiful wife, Kirti, for her tireless efforts in coordinating all our activities and still having energy left over to keep a wonderful home. A big kiss to Sat and Hari, my two children, who make it all worthwhile. God bless you and protect you everywhere.

A note of gratitude to my fine staff: two-time Mr. Universe Nordine Zouareg, M.A., Luz Elena Shearer, M.S., and Linda DiCamillo, my personal assistant during this project.

And to reiterate what I said in the dedication: To all people in pain everywheremay this book set you free.

Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.

Tuscon, Arizona

Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, one of the few true innovators in modern medicine, spent many years developing and perfecting a treatment program for chronic pain that now stands as a vital monument to his scientific acumen, to his deep caring for others, and to his spiritual strength, which enabled him to continue well past a point that would have exhausted most people. For including me in this tremendous effort, I will always be grateful.

I am also grateful for the important help and constant good cheer of his wonderful wife, Kirti, whose spirit is one with that of Dr. Khalsa and his work.

Like Dr. Khalsa, I am also indebted to my longtime and loyal friend Richard Pine, and to his father, and to Maureen Egen, Colleen Kapklein, and Diana Baroni.

Thanks, too, to Sandra Stahl, who worked with an ethic of excellence on every page of this book.

Through this book and eleven before it, Ive had the constant love of my wife, Shari, and it has been the source of my energy. More recently, Ive enjoyed the love of my amazing children, Gabriel and Adrienne. My family is a constant reminder that working hard for people who truly appreciate you is the most important work of all.

Cameron Stauth

Portland, Oregon

How Pain Works

Pain is a more terrible Lord of mankind than even death itself.

ALBERT SCHWEITZER

If you are in chronic pain, you probably feel alone and frightened. You may feel helpless. You might even feel as if lifes no longer worth living. I understand. I understand completely. You have the worst medical problem a person can have.

Chronic pain is the most devastating physical malady that exists. Its even more overwhelming than having a terminal illness, according to patients of mine who have suffered from both conditions.

Being in pain, hour after hour, day after day, rips away your strength, your hope, your personality, and even your love.

Chronic pain is a demonic force that can destroy everything it touches.

But people are strong. Im constantly amazed by their courage. When life knocks them down, they struggle back up. They do it again and again, all their lives.

If youre a pain patient who is reading this page right now, you must certainly be strong, because youre still trying to find a way out of your suffering. Despite everything, you still have hope. I salute your bravery. In my eyes, youre a hero.

But you can only stand so much, right? Youre human: thats your blessing, but its also your vulnerability. You probably suffered stoically for months or even years, but after a while your endurance gave out and the pain took over. Finally, you probably began to feel alone and helpless.

By now, you may even feel like a victim of torture. Researchers have found that torture victims and chronic pain patients endure a very similar experiencea horrific experience that can kill the will of even the strongest person.

Right now, you may be hoping that Ill say, The good news is, I can help you.

Its true. I can help you. Your pain can probably be cured.

But I have even better news than that: You can help yourself. If you read this book carefully, and put its advice into your life, youll no longer need me. Your own body has a healing force that will enable you to rise above your pain, and feel whole and happy once again.

When I tell this to my patients, some are thrilledbut others are disappointed. They want me to tell them that Im the hot new medical pioneer with the miraculous new potion for their pain. That attitude is understandable, because modern medicine has packaged itself as a purveyor of technological miracles. Many of todays doctors enjoy being seen as latter-day sorcerers who can fix every ill with a magical pill.