There was a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine a number of years ago where they had offered free back MRI's to a number of people at a ski lodge. Stipulation was that these people were not experiencing any pain whatsoever.

Over 60% of these people had structural anomalies in their backs. Herniated and Bulging Discs, Bone Fragments pushing on Nerve Roots etc. None of these people were experiencing any pain. ZERO. The conclusion was that structural abnormalities are not necessarily pain inducing.

This study more or less confirmed the work of a Medical Doctor by the name of John Sarno, who was the director of Rehabilitative Medicine at NYU University Hospital. Sarno concluded that the cause of most chronic pain issues, whether they be back, neck, shoulder whatever, are not structural but psychological.

I was diagnosed with a massive Herniated Disc last year along with a bone "fragment" pushing on my S1 Nerve root. The pain management doctors were surprised that I could even walk. After three Epidural Steroid injections that were marginally successful, I was recommended for surgery. Before my scheduled surgery date, I researched Dr Sarno on my own and read his book along with the many forums online dedicated to his research. I put into practice Sarno's ideas for becoming pain free.

Day of the procedure I felt great with no pain. I was literally in the hospital bed with IV attached. Surgeon walked in and I told him I was feeling fine. He reviewed the MRI again and refused to operate. He basically said that while I have a significant herniated disc, he wasn't 100% confident that the procedure would be successful long term. So I walked out of the hospital.

Fast forward to today, while I have some minor issues, with the help of Sarno's research, I am relatively pain free. I urge anybody with chronic pain issues to look into his research, as I feel it basically saved my life. Great video on Youtube where 20/20 did a segment on Dr. Sarno. Check it out. His book is called Healing Back Pain, the Mind Body Connection. The main forum dedicated to his research is called the TMS wiki.

This shit's for real.

Back to Berry, he was medically cleared to play...but he didn't. That's enough evidence for me regarding his release.
[Reply]

So you could've saved Eric Berry and yet you chose to do nothing!?
[Reply]

Umm... no it doesn't. I don't know about the study your are talking about or the doctor you are mentioning but I know data and I know research in general. You can't infer, from a study finding people with things that would typically cause pain not having pain, that people who feel pain with these things are only feeling it due to psychological reasons. That isn't how that works.
[Reply]

It just sucks that this guy had been a warrior. Beats cancer...taken out by a "thingee" on his frickin' foot.

Ah well. Good luck Eric. At least you and yours are taken care of financially. I mean WELL taken care of.
[Reply]

Cool stuff. Ive had herniated disc pain on and off for 15 years. Mostly i can manage it. Will have to look into Dr. Sarno. Thanks!
[Reply]

My secretary is PISSED we cut Berry.

She’s also a dumbshit that can’t write appointments on my calendar.

So, great roster move.
[Reply]

OMG, you owe me a keyboard!

THAT. WAS. AWESOME!!!!
[Reply]

:-) Hopefully she doesn't read CP...
[Reply]

She barely reads the fucking emails I send, let alone CP.
[Reply]

It's complicated...
[Reply]

Could we make his release retroactive by about two years? Thank you
[Reply]

I kind of hated to see Berry leave like this, but let's face it, he did it to himself. Sorry, this is a business and there's no room for touchy-feely, kumbaya stuff. Sports agents make that point every chance they get. You can spin it however you want, but he wasn't contracted to be a cheerleader/heart of the defense. He was contracted to play --period. The final straw for me and for many is that he wasn't in some hospital getting his condition fixed the day after the AFCCG. I could have lived with him being out for part of next season had he shown good faith in trying to get back on the field. He let his teammates, his employer, and the fans down. So buh-bye, Eric. Atlanta has much nicer winter weather and, more importantly, better clubs than KC. May you, Clark's money, and your spirit all be happy.
[Reply]

I know this has been asked but I haven't seen it answered. Was it ever CONFIRMED that he had a Haglund's deformity? I know that leaked info said he did and we ran with it, but was that ever confirmed? If it's some other issue that might explain Berry's actions and the advice of the doctors.
[Reply]

The doctors cleared him to play, guess they couldn’t find anything that would cause one iota of pain.
[Reply]

Easy to check the physical body, hard to examine the spirit.
[Reply]