Hm, I’ve read Sarno, but given your framing on his work—do you think this model predicts that general-purpose stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation should alleviate RSI (and other chronic pain)? I’d be interested to see if there’s any research on that.
Also thanks for the data point, you’re the second rationalist I know who has publicly said they’ve overcome their pain with Sarno or Sarno-like methods. I notice that I am confused....
The assumption is that stress can cause pain (by whatever mechanism). So yes, in the cases where RSI and perhaps other chronic pain is caused by stress, mindfulness meditation should alleviate the pain. I made a note to look into the research. If I get to it, I will post my findings here.
As for anecdotal evidence: I just searched for “chronic pain meditation” and got plenty of results. Also, I’m stressed now and sometimes some pain comes wafting through my wrists and forarms. I apply mindfulness (which I learned in 2016, long after the wrist pain subsided) when I want to fall asleep and at those times my wrists feel great.
As to Sarno, the only thing I confidently take from him is that stress can cause pain (sorry for repeating this often). Probably there’s more – Sarno has cured many people – but we’d have to dig through and separate the true stuff from the wacky fluff.
Edit 2019-03-19: I now dimly remember searching my mind for suppressed rage whenever wrist pain increased.
Hm, I’ve read Sarno, but given your framing on his work—do you think this model predicts that general-purpose stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation should alleviate RSI (and other chronic pain)? I’d be interested to see if there’s any research on that.
Also thanks for the data point, you’re the second rationalist I know who has publicly said they’ve overcome their pain with Sarno or Sarno-like methods. I notice that I am confused....
The assumption is that stress can cause pain (by whatever mechanism). So yes, in the cases where RSI and perhaps other chronic pain is caused by stress, mindfulness meditation should alleviate the pain. I made a note to look into the research. If I get to it, I will post my findings here.
As for anecdotal evidence: I just searched for “chronic pain meditation” and got plenty of results. Also, I’m stressed now and sometimes some pain comes wafting through my wrists and forarms. I apply mindfulness (which I learned in 2016, long after the wrist pain subsided) when I want to fall asleep and at those times my wrists feel great.
As to Sarno, the only thing I confidently take from him is that stress can cause pain (sorry for repeating this often). Probably there’s more – Sarno has cured many people – but we’d have to dig through and separate the true stuff from the wacky fluff.
Edit 2019-03-19: I now dimly remember searching my mind for suppressed rage whenever wrist pain increased.