Hello World, by Howard Schubiner

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This page contains the thoughts and opinions of wiki member Howard Schubiner and is reproduced (with permission) from his blog. The editorial standards that apply to the rest of the wiki aren't enforced on this page, but other guidelines and rules apply.

An image of Practitioner Howard Schubiner
Practitioner Howard Schubiner
Hello World

Written by Dr. Schubiner on June 2, 2008

Hello world.

That's how the blog website begins. It's also how Tiger Woods introduced himself at the press conference when he turned pro. My son informs me that “hello world” is the standard text used in computer programming whenever some text is needed to work with, similar to “testing 1,2,3” was used when testing a microphone before a presentation.

I guess “hello world” is appropriate for this blog. I am introducing myself to whoever is “out there” and I have some things to say that I think are important for the health and well being of everyday people. My name is Howard Schubiner and I'm a physician in the Detroit area. I have done a variety of things within medicine in the past 30 years since I became a doctor, including getting board certifications in Internal Medicine, Adolescent Medicine, and Pediatrics, studying acupuncture in China, teaching and doing research at Wayne State University's School of Medicine for 18 years, becoming a specialist in Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, and teaching mindfulness meditation for the past 14 years.

I would never have considered writing a blog however, if it weren't for what I've learned in the past 3 years. It started with a friend telling me a story about someone who had severe back and hip pain, which miraculously disappeared after reading a book by Dr. Sarno and investigating some issues in her life. I then started reading about Dr. John Sarno (of whom I will speak at length in future blogs) and his views on chronic pain, particularly back and neck pain. I got so engrossed and fascinated that I decided to devote the rest of my career in medicine (for the foreseeable future anyway) to working with people to help them alleviate their pain and other chronic symptoms.

What I have learned over the past few years is nothing short of phenomenal. I have learned that most of the people with chronic back and neck pain can be cured; and they can be cured by simple methods, the most important of which is a new understanding of what is causing their pain. I have learned that the traditional biomedical approaches to many chronic conditions do not work. And I have seen many people take control over their health and improve their lives dramatically. In fact, the one comment that I hear over and over is “you have helped me save my life.” Few things are sweeter than these words.

This blog will cover everything that I can think of with regards to what Dr. Sarno refers to as Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) or what I tend to call Mind Body Syndrome (MBS). I will review all of the basic facts about how the mind and the body interact to produce a variety of symptoms. I will cover research that impacts on this syndrome and I will answer questions that are asked. My intent is to inform people and doctors about this syndrome which is extremely common and also curable. If enough people become aware that syndromes such as whiplash, fibromyalgia, low back pain, neck pain, TMJ pain, chronic stomach and pelvic pain, tension and migraine headaches, irritable bowel and bladder syndromes, insomnia, tinnitus and several other syndromes (including anxiety and depression) are actually caused by the interaction between the mind and the body, then many more people could be free of their debilitating symptoms. Furthermore, fewer people would be taking medications and having surgery that can have significant side effects. Finally, the cost of medical care would decrease. We have a long way to go, but we'll never get there unless we start. So, this is my start.

To your health,

Howard Schubiner, MD

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