Book Testimonials

Accolades for “Doctor, Why Does My Face Still Ache?”

When I last saw you in April, I told you that I had so many thoughts about your book. Now that I have put my father in an assisted living facility and have experienced one of the worst periods in my life because of it, I can focus!

Had I not met and had I not been treated by you before reading the book, I would have found the book to be so incredibly validating, comforting and hopeful. I would have immediately made an appt. to see you. I thought the level of reasonableness and empathy offered to the reader was uplifting. Often patients can be dismissed by clinicians because:

1. They cannot instantly cure us.
2. They are not interested in neurotic women who need to “get over it”.

Your book validated the dysfunction, which made us want to continue to read it! It offered treatment possibilities and stressed the importance of the clinician-patient partnership. The problem can feel so isolating at times. After seeing so many caregivers, you don’t believe that anyone can help you. The book did not judge the patient; it did not present the patient as a “whiner” which can be so diminishing. You wrote with respect and care and those feelings came through loud and clear. I am so relieved that the book has been written, for all those who don’t know where to turn. You actually “get it” and the reader hears it. In short-I think the book is real and true and fabulous. Thank you.

On a personal level, I suffered silently, felt very isolated with the discomfort, although appearing very social, appropriate, sharp, etc. I was in therapy but I didn’t even speak of the chronic pain much. I felt that if I could “handle things better,” the pain would go away. Until then, I just had to manage. 20 years.

When I finally went to see you, and actually gave some voice to the feelings, I left the office feeling very worn out and vulnerable — cried a lot. Sharing the secret of the pain can make you feel “emotionally naked”. Now, I am so relieved to know that you are here, on the planet, and that you get it, and you will help to “figure it out” a bit, along with offering many helpful suggestions.

I gave the book to my cranial-sacral therapist. She thought it was spot on. She said it actually offered so much to those suffering with chronic pain, even if the cause was not TMJ dysfunction, in nature. It is about more than just the face. She has also recommended the book to patients.

Take care,
J.

Dr. Tanenbaum,

First thank you for the copy of your book. My massage therapist was very excited to receive her copy also.

At first I just skimmed around the book and today started to read in earnest. I totally understand the body mind connection, read one of Sarno’s books years ago (guess I did not internalize it). I had to smile when reading about ATP brought back memories of memorizing the Krebb cycle makes perfect sense.

I always tried to be GOOD and keep PEACE as the oldest of four in a home that had a labile Dad and a mother with ongoing requests. These requests of course continue and my husband using common sense told me 30 or so years ago to ignore some of them as she will wear you out. Did I heed his advice not really I had to be the GOOD GIRL. I thought if I was good things would be better. The striving to be good and succeed has been on going throughout my life. I made myself stay in a job I did not want for various reasons. Even though I left that job 11 years ago I still need to change my behaviors to lessen the pain. It is no where near as bad as it was when I first came to you and I always keep hoping it will go away now I realize I need to play an active part in being more comfortable instead of just trying to put up with the pain.

So again thank you and I will see you in a few weeks. I had a couple of pain free days what a gift.

J. Zeneski