TMS books by John Sarno, MD:

• Mind Over Back Pain, by John Sarno, MD, 1982. (In this book, Dr. Sarno outlines the theory of TMS (Tension Myositis Syndrome) and describes his experience treating patients successfully.)
• Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, by John Sarno, MD, 1991. (In this book, Dr. Sarno explains his theory of TMS, and describes the treatment approach that has been effective with his patients. This book is a good one to start with since it is easier to read and understand for some. He expands on his previous book and lays out a treatment program that has helped thousands of readers recover from years of pain.)
• The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain, by John Sarno, MD, 1998. (Dr. Sarno adds information that has come to light during his clinical practice. This book is detailed about the psychology thought to cause the chronic pain syndromes and describes the many other chronic health issues that can occur for the same reason. The treatment program is added to as well.)
• The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders, by John Sarno, MD, 2006. (Again, Dr. Sarno continues to add some information to the theory he developed more that 30 years ago. He credits his patients for continuing to teach him how and why these pain syndromes develop as well as the most effective ways to resolve them. This book has some interesting case studies and chapters written by other TMS physicians in various specialties, which add a valuable perspective.)

TMS books by other authors:

• To Be or Not To Be...Pain-Free by Marc D. Sopher, M.D.
• Rapid Recovery from Back and Neck Pain: A Nine-Step Recovery Plan by Fred Amir
• They Can't Find Anything Wrong! by Dr Dave Clarke (Dr. Clarke writes about his experience treating patients with what he calls "Stress Illness". He has found that by interviewing his patients and helping them to identify the major stresses in their life, they are able to resolve previously, chronic health issues.)
• TMS Recovery DVD & CD by Georgina Oldfield MCSP
• Back Sense by Ronald Siegel, Psy.D., Michael Urdang, and Douglas Johnson, M.D. (Written by three former back pain sufferers, helped by Dr. Sarno's theory, they have developed an approach called "functional restoration", which helps one address stress, reduce fear and resume activity. It is well researched, citing many scientific studies which support their approach.) Read more...
• Freedom From Fibromyalgia by Nancy Selfridge, M.D. and Franklynn Peterson (Both authors recovered from Fibromyalgia, using Dr. Sarno's theory. They have developed a program to help patients recover as well from this condition.)

Structured TMS programs

• Dr. Howard Schubiner has a well regarded 4 week program that he runs through his website. More details are available here.
  
• Dr. David Schechter has a structured TMS recovery program that he has created for his own patients. It consists of a Workbook, 3 CDs, and a DVD. The workbook guides you through a 30 day program of journaling, generally asking you 4 questions per day that you are to meditate on. It can be purchased from Amazon for $18.
• The TMS wiki has a free program designed to guide people who think that they might have TMS through learning about the diagnosis. It is called, "So You Think You Might Have TMS." When discussing journaling, it recommends a pair of free downloadable handouts and a large number of free web pages. It is not nearly as refined as Dr. Schubiner's program, but it is completely free, so you can check it out before purchasing either of the other programs.
• Georgie Oldfield MCSP from the Pain Relief Centre in West Yorkshire, UK, runs a 6 week structured TMS Recovery programme. This includes an initial consultation and diagnosis, seminar, her TMS Recovery DVD and workbook. Five follow up consultations are included, either face to face or by telephone and email support is included. The seminar information is provided via webinar to fit more easily into a long distance programme. For more information visit www.tmsrecovery.com

Complementary books most recommended by TMS sufferers:

• What to say when You talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter (this book teaches quick and easy methods to stop unwanted thinking/behaviour patterns)
• You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay (The message of this book is that we are each responsible for our own reality and "dis-ease." Hay believes we make ourselves ill by having thoughts of self-hatred. She includes a directory of ailments and emotional causes for each with a corresponding affirmation to help overcome the illness)
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (Tolle introduces readers to enlightenment and its natural enemy, the mind. He awakens readers to their role as a creator of pain and shows them how to have a pain-free identity by living fully in the present. Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle developed a very detailed, chapter by chapter web course on a more recent book by Tolle entitled "A New Earth.")
• The Presence Process by Michael Brown (This book follows the same principles of Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now but this is a simple, direct, how-to manual to finish your emotional past so that you can stop reacting to it and live in the present moment. Involves meditation.)

Follow our discussion on the Presence Process

Complementary books by other authors:

Neuroscience

• Molecules of Emotion by Candace Pert (Candace Pert, is a neuroscientist, who has proven in the laboratory, how emotions change our biology.)

• The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life by Joseph Ledoux. Joseph LeDoux, a professor at the Center for Neural Science at New York University, has written the most comprehensive examination to date of how systems in the brain work in response to emotions, particularly fear. He also offers findings and theories on how the brain handles--and in many cases, buries--extremely traumatic experiences.

How thoughts and emotions can influence our health.

• When The Body Says No by Gabor Mate, M.D. (This Vancouver physician and health writer gives us the latest research on how emotions, thoughts, the nervous system, immune system and hormones work together to create health or illness. He has worked extensively with cancer and multiple sclerosis patients.)
• Peace, Love & Healing by Bernie S. Siegel, M.D. (Dr. Siegel has witnessed and written extensively about the healing power of love. He works with many cancer patients, but believes the mind and heart can play a part in all healings. He repeats a message throughout, even more important than curing a disease, is to heal your life.)
• The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy (The book elucidates simple exercises as to how one can heal oneself and others; think positively to elevate one's life to peace and tranquility; visualize what one wants to attain and have it; and how to get rid of negative thoughts)
• The Anatomy of Hope by Dr Jerome Groopman (Groopman, an oncologist, describes how he recovered from 20 years of pain and shows how hope, belief and expectations can alter the course of our lives,and even of our physical body. He does so with science, example and humanness.
• The Power is Within You by Louise Hay (How to overcome emotional barriers through learning to listen to your inner voice, loving the child within, letting your true feelings out, and much more)
  
• The Pathway by Laurel Mellin (The Pathway describes the process of learning to set limits and nurture yourself from within, and describes the emotional well-balance that follows. Finding that balance removes the drive to do things to excess such as overeating, overspending or drinking too much).
• Your Body Believes Every Word you Say by Barbara Hoberman Levine (Levine describes how words can affect our health. She begins with her own dramatic story of healing from a brain tumor, and the lessons it taught her. It led her into an investigation of what makes people well and ill, and to look at the many scientific studies that show the link between language and disease. It shows us the things that are entirely under our own control when it comes to our health)
• Forgiveness: The Greatest Healer of All by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Neale Donald Walsch (Describes the causes of being unforgiving, how the mind works in this process, and the ultimate negative effects this attitude can exert on one's body and life in general)
• Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach (Brach describes how our culture "trains us" to suppress uncomfortable emotions. This book helps us get in touch and accept and welcome them - and move through the uncomfortable ones, to a place of greater peace. Involves meditation)
• Focusing by Eugene Gendlin ("Focusing" gives the guidance to holistically find the source of fears, anxiety, and negativity. It guides the reader to a place where he/she can sit and listen to the body speak of the source of a problem's manifestation. Helps the reader seeking a deeper understanding of why we sometimes feel the way we do.
• The Power of Your Subconscious Mind: Complete and Unabridged by Joseph Murphy (Learn the differences between your conscious and subconscious minds, how to get your subconscious to work for you, how to eliminate negative thoughts and beliefs, why and how it can make you healthy)
• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (a comprehensive twelve-week program to recover your creativity from a variety of blocks, including limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, jealousy, guilt, addictions)
• Facing the Fire: Experiencing and Expressing Anger Appropriately by John Lee (describes how repressing anger can have profound effects on personal health and guides readers step by step through the process of getting past their fears)
• The Pear Process by Olivia Stefanino is an audio programme that guides you through five steps to emotional wellness. Read more...
• Who Switched Off My Brain by Caroline Leaf. The book is easy to read and is very interesting. Really explains the functioning of the brain and how our thoughts and emotions effect our health.Dr. Leaf explains how you can contol toxic thoughts through simple techniques
• Steering by Starlight: Find Your Right Life, No Matter What! by Martha Beck
• The Warrior Mind by Jim Pritchard. The author uses his wealth of life experiences in order to teach the reader of his 6 energies which can empower you to overcome challenges without being locked into a negative mind-set. Read more...

Alternative therapy

• Anatomy of An Illness by Norman Cousins. Diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune condition, rheumatoid arthritis, Mr. Cousins designed his own treatment plan involving high doses of vitamin C and "Laughter therapy". He found that 10 minutes of hearty laughter would give him 2 hours of pain relief with no medication. With the support of his physician, he continued this treatment plan and eventually recovered from the condition.

Dealing with anxiety and stress

• The Little Book of Stress Relief by David Posen, M.D. (This book explains how stress can be detrimental to your health and describes a variety of ways to help reduce that effect, thus improving your health and enjoyment of life.)
• Hope and Help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes (A practical programme for dealing with fear, anxiety & stress)
• Peace from Nervous Suffering by Claire Weekes (Offers help to those suffering from a nervous breakdown)
• Taming Your Gremlin by Rick Carson (Offers methods for gaining freedom from self-defeating behaviors and beliefs)
• Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn (Focuses on "mindfulness," a concept that involves living in the moment, paying attention, and simply "being" rather than "doing." involves Meditation)
• Get out of Your mind and Into Your Life by Steven C. Hayes (The book is strong on explaining how to separate yourself from your emotions, fears, or anxieties, accept them, and move on)
• Evolving self confidence by Terry Dixon. The author has a wealth of experience on anxiety related issues and takes you on a journey through the evolution of these problemsand moves ontohow to resolve them. Read more...

Understanding relationships

• Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller (a short book written from a personal perspective describing how children suppress and repress their emotions so that they are more accepted by their parents. Recommended to help you to cope with and MOVE PAST the legacy and wounds your parents accidentally left you with)
• Co-dependant No More by Melanie Beattie. This book will help people in alcoholic or abusive relationships or any other dependent relationship. If you feel responsible for other people or feel it is your responsiblity to help other people solve their problems this book will help you understand why you feel how you feel and how to go about fixing it.
• Will I Ever Be Good Enough?: Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers by Karyl McBride. This book exposes the psychological effects of living with a narcissistic mother, explains why boy siblings may be treated differently, and provides useful steps for healing from the wounds we suffer when we are raised by a non-nurturing mother. Also provides parenting tips for the children of narcissistic parents.

General

• The Lost Art of Healing by Dr Bernard Lown. Too many well-trained, well-credentialed doctors fail to take a careful patient history, indulge in rampant overuse of technology and excessively prescribe drugs that result in death or disability, charges Lown, a cardiologist and professor emeritus at Harvard Medical School. In these gracefully written essays, full of interesting vignettes and case studies drawn from his 45 years of practice, he urges doctors to practice attentive listening, to desist from using intimidating language and to pay attention to the emotional stresses in patients' lives.