The Invisible Key

Book excerpt: Competitive athlete turned scientist discovers the key to healing her chronic pain in this raw and gripping memoir. An acute injury. Chronic pain. A shocking discovery. Maria Socolof, a former collegiate athlete, at age forty, ruptured a disc in her neck when she rolled over in bed. Time and conventional medicine failed to heal her. Years of debilitating pain followed. She sincerely questioned whether life in such pain was worth living. Then, through mindbody approaches and bewildering revelations, true healing finally began. Her raw chronicle attests to the impact emotional trauma can have on the body and how we can set ourselves free from the limitations of our subconscious. She went from being unable to stand for more than fifteen minutes to hiking in Alaska five years later. She shows us that one can heal, even when hope is lost. Reviews "Every person challenged by high-impact, persistent pain needs to read this book to discover if past traumas pose a shrouded barrier to their wellness." Cynthia Toussaint, Author of Battle for Grace "Anyone seeking healing can follow Maria Socolof's personal journey . . . into the light of wellness by better understanding the mindbody connection." Steve Ozanich, Author of The Great Pain Deception "I highly recommend her memoir for those seeking direction and hope on their path to authentic healing." John F. Barnes, PT, Author of Healing Ancient Wounds ". . . real and honest. . . . Maria's experiences will help those in chronic pain not feel so alone in their struggle . . ." Mary Ruth Velicki, MS, DPT, Author of Healing through Chronic Pain "Ms. Socolof's chronicled arduous journey through debilitating pain is a great conveyor of the maze that is complex chronic pain." Phil J. Tavolacci, PT, Author of What's In Your Web? About the Author Maria Socolof, former competitive gymnast, wife, mother of two, and professional scientist, was still dabbling in her sport at age forty. Then suddenly, in the fall of 2005, chronic pain hijacked her life. She searched for relief, and in that quest, discovered she had a story to tell. Through twelve years of perseverance, she has authored her first memoir about her healing journey. She holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Sciences from the Harvard School of Public Health and now uses her writing to support others who are healing from pain and trauma. She lives on Long Island with her husband and dog, practices qigong and tai chi, and enjoys visits from her children, walking through her neighborhood, and hiking in the woods.