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What do people think of the book "Body keeps the score" ?

Discussion in 'General Discussion Subforum' started by IndiMarshall, May 2, 2025 at 4:56 AM.

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  1. IndiMarshall

    IndiMarshall Well known member

    Hi TMS community,
    I'm curious to hear your thoughts on The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s been highly recommended by several people.
    Personally, I’ve had some powerful experiences with TMS where I was able to mentally able to control my pain —once even shifting intense pain (a solid 9 out of 10) from one side of my spine to the other as bizarre as that. These moments convinced me that it is only mind that plays a central role in pain, and they make me question the idea of the book that the body itself “stores” or “holds” pain. That perspective doesn’t really align with what I’ve learned from Dr. Sarno’s teachings either.

    Whenever I hear someone claim that pain is stored in the body, it just doesn’t resonate with me. It feels like a direct contradiction to the mind-body approach many of us here follow. In fact, I often find it hard not to speak up when this idea comes up in discussions.

    That said, I wonder—am I missing out by skipping this book? Do you think it's worth a listen? I have a few Audible credits and am considering using one on it, but I’m still unsure. Thanks. Interesting to hear your views.
     
  2. feduccini

    feduccini Well known member

    If you're not sure wheter to buy it yet, you can watch a 35 min summary here:

     
  3. Diana-M

    Diana-M Beloved Grand Eagle

    I read it and if you’ve had any kind of serious trauma as a kid —it will trigger you. I do think it’s really possible that pain is stored in your body. You might also want to check out a book by Peter Levine https://a.co/d/godzl5P
    He’s another big name in this perspective. I’ve never been able to get anything to work in that healing method (yet). There are also people that focus on healing in the body with yoga— trying to get at the vagus nerve. I think it’s called somatic yoga. https://drarielleschwartz.com/vagus-nerve-yoga/ (Vagus Nerve Yoga - Arielle Schwartz, PhD)
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2025 at 9:20 AM
    IndiMarshall and HealingMe like this.
  4. Cactusflower

    Cactusflower Beloved Grand Eagle

    Why couldn’t pain be stored in the physical body if emotional pain is stored in the brain?
     
    Diana-M likes this.
  5. HealingMe

    HealingMe Beloved Grand Eagle

    I never finished it. It was definitely an uncomfortable read.
     
  6. louaci

    louaci Peer Supporter

    I saw it in our local book mobile and I just started it. But I have too many books starting but not finishing, lol. Prior to that, I plan to reread Nichol's new book.
     
    IndiMarshall likes this.

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