Book Reviews

Kirkus Discoveries Book Review:

CHRONIC PAIN
SELF-TREATMENT:
Including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome—The Schatz Technique
Ascara (284 pp.) $34.95 paperback
December 17, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9774707-2-3

Physical therapist and medical researcher Schatz outlines his gentle technique for chronic pain relief . Even readers unfamiliar with the science of physiology and anatomy will be tempted to try this course of action. In a lively voice and with storytelling flair, Schatz explains his understanding—buttressed by 50- plus years of hands-on experience—that chronic pain is not incurable. Much chronic pain is caused by “[p]hysical and emotional insults [that] stimulate the body to form contracted tissues that squeeze pain receptors and damage joint structures,” said tissues being the skin, fascia, muscle and ligament. The author has tendered this self-help guide because he feels that medical doctors have been steering a wayward course when it comes to chronic pain, focusing their attention on secondary issues rather than soft-tissue dysfunction. Schatz’s technique involves gentle investigation of the tissue with your fingers—drags, circles, back-and-forth, jiggling, each movement specifically identified—and gives readers an idea of what they might expect to feel: “look for little ‘b-b’s,’or things that feel like ‘wires.’” He is also specific about why he feels surgery, nerve-deadening, exercise, rest, stretching, cortisone and like treatments are not as valuable as his softly exploring and coaxing fingers (the key is in the light touch not a rub or massage). Classic chronic pain situations are addressed one by one—arthritis, back and breast pain, foot problems, bursitis, migraine, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, knee pain, even dowager’s hump and logger’s hand. Clearly there is an art to this technique, including deftness of touch and interpreting what one feels, but Schatz lends a confidence of purpose to the proceedings. Ultimately, the author doesn’t stand to benefit by repeat visits to his office. Readers’fingers do the talking, and Schatz gives the background to understand what they are saying. A respectful, intuitive approach to pain management.

Midwest Book Review:

Health/Medicine Shelf: Small Press Bookwatch October 2008

Chronic Pain Self-Treatment Including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Bernard Schatz, P.T.
Ascara Publishing Company
536 Pantops Center, #105, Charlottesville, VA 22911
0977470725, $34.95, www.ReverseYourPain.com
A chronic pain condition can be a low-level constant state of discomfort or a high-level disabling condition. The universal aspect is that it is constant and requires treatment. A trained physical therapist, Bernard Schatz began working with chronic pain patients at the Institute for Medical Research, Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles, California more than fifty years ago and over that span of time developed a method for dealing with chronic pain conditions including 'carpal tunnel syndrome' and 'fibromyalgia' -- two names for what is basically the same underlying condition. Specifically and expertly written for the non-specialist general reader, "Chronic Pain Self-Treatment" begins by explaining the cause of chronic pain, the traditional medical approaches to its treatment (approaches fraught with hazardous risks and side-effects); and then focuses on his own 'Schatz Technique' for treating chronic pain. Schatz then goes on to address how those who suffer from chronic pain can themselves alleviate it. Illustrative case history examples are provided dealing with back pain, weight loss, body contouring, breast pain, bunions, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, dizziness, 'Dowager's Hump"; ear pain, fibromyaligia, knee pain, muscle weakness, peripheral vascular disease, and a great many more debilitating conditions associated with the creation of a chronic pain. "Chronic Pain Self-Treatment" is strongly recommended and thoroughly 'user friendly' reading for anyone who suffers from a chronic pain condition.

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