🧠 How Repressed Emotions Cause Chronic and Psychosomatic Pain — Lessons from Dr. John Sarno’s The Mindbody Prescription

Life is motion. From traveling for work, education, or even daily errands, movement is a fundamental aspect of all species. Yet, despite precautions, most of us will encounter physical discomfort or pain at some point. Pain can be both a curse and a blessing — a signal that we are alive, yet sometimes a companion that makes life miserable. I have deep respect for the courage of women who endure immense pain during labor, a feat as a man I cannot fully comprehend. Many others experience chronic and psychosomatic pain, seeking relief through surgeries, medications, implants, alternative medicine, or wellness routines — yet for some, pain remains a perpetual companion.

People are willing to spend enormous resources for even a day of relief — lakhs on detox programs, wellness retreats, or therapeutic centers. They study, read, observe, meet top medical practitioners, and still, some cannot find respite. Conventional examinations, lab reports, and scans often fail to uncover the root cause, leaving people demoralized. In desperation, some turn to quacks, miracle potions, or spiritual charlatans, hoping for a cure.

For decades, many ridiculed the idea that emotional burden and stress could produce psychosomatic pain. Psychosomatic pain was once dismissed as myth, pseudoscience, or quackery. Today, however, we have growing evidence, and many leading surgeons and doctors acknowledge its existence. The pandemic further increased awareness of mental health and personal well-being. People are now seeking treatments with fewer side effects, safer options, and less dependence on medicine. They focus on prevention rather than cure, embracing diet, healthy routines, sports, social relations, and spirituality. In my therapy sessions, I often encounter individuals who wish to understand the psychosomatic quotient of their pain, and in that context, Dr. Sarno’s book is invaluable.

Many people tell me that after speaking with me, they feel as if a psychological boulder has been lifted — a sense of relief, freedom, and catharsis. Counseling is often misunderstood as mere chit-chat, but it is a powerful tool for bringing clarity to one’s life. As a psychologist and relationship advisor, I constantly update my knowledge through reading autobiographies, well-researched books, and the latest developments in psychosocial sciences. It was in this spirit, through a recommendation from an orthopedic surgeon friend, that I discovered The Mindbody Prescription. I sat down in his office for six hours to finish it — skimming a few parts — and came away feeling it was a worthwhile endeavor and an excellent read.

💡 Key Insights from Dr. John Sarno

1. The Hidden Link Between Emotion and Psychosomatic Pain: Many chronic pains — especially in the back, neck, and limbs — stem from repressed emotions like anger, guilt, or anxiety.

2. Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS): Sarno proposed that the brain creates psychosomatic pain to distract attention from unresolved emotional distress.

3. Awareness Heals: Simply recognizing that pain is psychosomatic can reduce or eliminate it, as the mind no longer needs to create distraction.

4. Emotional Honesty: Healing involves acknowledging suppressed emotions safely and constructively.

5. Against Overmedicalization: Sarno challenges the excessive use of surgeries, painkillers, and therapies for conditions rooted in the psyche.

6. Transformative Yet Controversial: Thousands report relief from his methods, though critics note the lack of strong empirical evidence.

   
   

⚠️ Caution

While Sarno’s insights are powerful, use your critical faculties when applying them. Not all pain is psychosomatic, and professional evaluation remains essential. Consider this book a guide toward self-awareness and emotional understanding, not a replacement for medical treatment.

🌿 Final Thoughts

The Mindbody Prescription is more than a book about chronic pain; it’s about understanding the psychosomatic stories our bodies carry. For those seeking holistic healing, insight into mind-body connections, or ways to manage unexplained pain, it is an enlightening read.

If you’re struggling with pain that seems to have no medical explanation, I offer online therapy sessions to help you reconnect with your body and emotions.👉 Book your session at PsychologistGoutham.com