Survey Response: Tom Nordstrom, M. D.
This survey was last updated in April 2009.
Degrees/Licenses Held: Medical Doctor USA
Contact information:
The Center for Orthopedic Care
215 Union Ave Suite B
Bridgewater NJ
08807 USA
phone: 908 685 8500
www.TCFOC.com
Number of years in practice: 25 years
Number of years in practice with patients who have TMS: 25 but only recognizing it well in the past 5
Number of patients you have seen who have had TMS: Thousands, yes really . ALL symptoms from Neck Pain to plantar fascitis .That means head to toe and every thing in between.
Have you ever suffered from TMS? Yes big time long time. 25 years 13 plus of the syndromes. Got finally cured or under control in early 2006.
Have you ever trained under Dr. John E. Sarno, or another TMS doctor?
I was personally treated by Dr. Sarno in 2006. Right after "The Divided Mind" came out and I read it.The light bulb went on again. I had read his earlier books "Healing Back Pain" in the 1980s and as they came out later. Liked the idea but didn't apply it whole heartily to me or my patients until 2006. I also then and trained under him in his apprentice type method.
If so, please explain:
We apprentice with Dr. Sarno at his New York office. It is at the Rusk Institute in NYU Medical Center. We see patients with him, attend his lecture, then a small group session. With the patients permission We closely observe his methods with patients in the interview H&P and exam room. You Listen to his explanation of TMS to his private patients. I heard the patients detailed questions and treatment plans that Dr. Sarno outlines. You basically can keep observing and going back until he thinks you get it. Believe me he will tell you when you are ready or not.
If not, what have you done to educate yourself about TMS, and what plans do you have for further education about TMS?
I have also read and reference Dr Sarno's 4 books. Plus Dr Sopher's "To Be or not to be Pain Free" nice and basic fun read. Recently attended the first national TMS meeting at University of Michigan.
What insurance plans do you currently accept? Almost all
Do you have a sliding scale of payment for people who are not covered by insurance? Yes based off Medicare rates
What steps should TMS clients take before contacting you?
1. Read Dr Sarnos "The Mind Body Prescription" See if TMS makes sense to you or sounds like your story.
2. Consider taking the TMS questionnaire on the www.TMSwiki.org
3. Call and set up a telephone interview to see if you qualify for a TMS evaluation appointment
How would you characterize your position on referring for spinal surgery?
I am an Orthopedic surgeon. I do NO spinal surgery myself. I believe there are rare times after a thorough workup and attempts at conservative care when surgery is indicated. This is especially true when there is a bad neural deficit like weakness in a leg (foot drop) or what is call "Cauda equina symdrome" where someone begins to loss bowl or bladder control from a large herniated disc. I am not a big believer in Spinal Fusions
Do you feel comfortable referring people to Dr. Sarno's books? Absolutely, I give out 10-15 a week in my office
As we are going to post your answers on the TMS Wiki, feel free to write some text to introduce yourself:
Nothing else special to add. Most info included in the survey. One can see more on my story and Ideas under Dr Sarno's treatment plan tread on the tmswiki where I put up 2 posts. Patients need to know this is a process and they need to be committed.
I am open minded as a trained orthopedic who has seen this TMS method work many times in spite of other doctors or patients skepticism.
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