The Brains Way of Healing, 9780141980805: Stories of Remarkable Recoveries and Discoveries

An amazing book, exceptionally well written, combining real human stories of remarkable recoveries with the science behind them. There is quite a lot of science, maybe too much for some, but it didn't detract from the message that we need to think much more broadly and holistically about recovery and be more open-minded to diverse approaches. This book would be of benefit to all doctors and health practitioners, as well as many patients and their families. An ultimately hopeful book to inspire us all to be ever curious and grateful for the contributions of the gifted and insightful healers whose work is described.

Really interesting book and quite accessible for non-medical/techie types like me. I did skip a few parts where he went into deeper explanation of neuroplasticity this was but not detrimental to overall impressiveness of the content of this book. I was particularly interested in the Moshe Feldenkrais chapter, but there is so much more of interest too. I am amazed now with how the brain can be 're-programmed' to help with terrible symptoms of many diseases. This is not 'pshyco-babble' or anything to do with dealing with phsycosomatic situations .It is about real research on the brain/mind. The book explains how non-surgical and non-drug intervention may be able to work to improve or remove symptons of some diseases. Look up Norman Doidge on the web if you are concerned about his credentials, This book was reviewed in Guardian in May 2015 I think along with author interview.

So much to think about; to consider; lesser known non-invasive therapies that yield lasting results. I couldn't put it down. Thought provoking, a wake-up call to clinicians to use sound, light, exercise for new brain maps to form to regenerate function. The future of treatments for many with brain damage. A new world of thinking, treating and healing. The life work of those clinicians who dared to do things differently. This book has changed my thinking permanently and widened my world.

Really interesting book with a lot of good infromation on brain plasticity along with fascinating stories of recoveries. The only negative is that sometimes I felt like I might be reading an adertisement campaign of a quack trying to convince you to part money for the 'miracle cure' of some conditions families struggle with and sp can be on the verge of desperation for such a miracle.

Norman Doige is brilliant at explaining pretty complex ideas for the layman. Not to technical at any point but covers fascinating topics. I read this in a couple of nights and I just want to read it again already and talk to people about all the ideas it covers. Most importantly I think it's a really hopeful text about our future and disease. Well worth a read (and for those who think it might go over old ground from his previous book, it doesn't, it's completely different material and topics - but the same charismatic personable style). Read it!

I am researching brain therapeutic approaches and I found that book loaded with bunch of ideas and hope. Great read.

I found this very interesting, though I would read the stories of 'remarkable recoveries' with a critical eye. Chapter 1 is clearly also trying to sell the therapy offered by the doctor, Michael Moskowitz, and is therefore bound to be biased. I would read it more to learn some things about how the brain works rather than necessarily thinking these therapies can be applied to all individuals.

This is a book which has the potential to change lives. It argues for the mind/brain's -and body's - ability to get rid of pain and recover damage done by serious illness eg stroke and Parkinson's. Shows how to get off pain killers and other similar drugs which, Doidge, says, can have a far from efficacious effect. Have not read it all yet, but am working diligently through it.

I read this as part of a university course several years ago. I recently purchased for a friend who suffered a stroke. They found the message very reassuring.

Ho trovato particolarmente apprezzabile la fluidità dei casi presentati; essi si configurano come racconti, ma rappresentano vite autentiche con problematiche reali. Ciò offre una chiara comprensione dell'influenza che il cervello esercita nel curarsi se stesso.

Marvelous book.. worth a read. As a doctor i thought i knew about brain...this book stumped me!!!

It influenced mine a great deal. I'm a preschool teacher and I happened to come across this volume. It was actually recommend to me by my sister who at the time worked at a book store, I was looking for something non-fiction, I could learn from but that wasn't a heavy read. She hadn't read it but she said it was very popular at the minute. A year later I picked it up from my local library, it was a hard book to get a hold of as the waiting list was long. I didn't have any idea what I was getting myself into, and you can tell by the year wait that I wasn't that hurried either.I'm so glad now that I did pick it up. It changed the way I saw the children in my class, while I already knew that the brain was plastic and children have so much potential, I now understood the mechanics behind it all. It was then I realized that the current system of early education the children were receiving was hindering and not helping them. I always knew that the school system was a mess but I didn't realize that early education was no better. Everyone operates without the faintest idea of how children actually learn. So I left my job and how have a preschool of my own. All thanks to this one book I thought I'd pick up for a light read.

Everyone should read this book . it has both medical professionals and also patients who have suffered various injuries to the brain and gives lots of hopeful experiences on how to help your brain heal