Remarkable Recovery, A Skeptic Looks at Phenomenal Healing by Caryle Hirshberg and Marc Ian Barasch Reviewed by Joseph Uphoff Hirshberg and Barasch explore the subject of spontaneous healing with regard to cancer. This is a phenomenon in which the tumor quickly disappears for no discernable reason at some point in the treatment process. As cases of this occurring are rare in the literature, the authors propose a different term, that of remarkable recovery, as it seems that doctors are willing to discuss the latter but not the former. Which raises the question of, are they playing word games to increase their sample size? Through their research, the authors discovered several people (about 50 total) who had experienced such cures. These individuals were contacted and a selection of their stories form the bulk of this work. Interlaced with these tales is the concept that there exists a healing system much as there is a central nervous system or other systems of body parts dedicated to specific functions. However, this healing system, incorporates the mind and spirit in addition to whatever immune defenses the body provides. Mind and spirit are never defined, but seem to encompass will and religious belief. While people may not believe in the supernatural and still have remarkable recoveries, their odds are less. Also, only certain types of cancer have better chances of these permanent remissions. Having postulated that a healing system exists, H and B attempt to discover what triggers it and how more people might activate their own to fight cancer and other usually fatal diseases. Throughout this discussion, traditional medicine usually is portrayed as causing more harm than good and alternative medicines seen as useful, even if all that is accomplished is a placebo effect. One area thoroughly explored is the psychological component. In particular the idea (from Dr. Spiegel, a psychiatry professor at Columbia) that there are three personality types and that each type's outlook can have an effect on the healing system as well as how susceptible to suggestion one is. It is postulated that dissociation, hypnosis and other mental processes have a direct influence on how the body heals. The authors believe that those more susceptible to hypnosis, et. al. have a greater chance of remarkable recovery and that, to paraphrase, the reasoning cortex needs to be humbled. Another area the authors explore is faith healing. They take it as given (as they do with other alternative forms of healing) that it occasionally works and look for an explanation which takes the following form. The body, through chemical reactions, generates electromagnetic fields. The faith healer is able, by touch, to directly influence those fields through transference of his own energy and thus cause the recipient's healing system to start working. An explanation which seems far-fetched. Throughout, the authors use the term, "congruence", which they define as the individual being and acting in accord with the deepest self. It is also emphasized that doctors need to view patients as individuals and develop treatment plans accordingly even if these plans include alternatives to chemotherapy and drugs or telling the patient s/he will die soon and only address the pain caused by cancer. A more caring approach that incorporates mind, body, and spirit is advocated. Nowhere is the healing system explained in detail. Rather, the authors believe that it exists and leave it to the medical community to find its physical components and to publish their experiences. They do maintain, however, that there is a metaphysical aspect to remarkable recoveries, especially since most of their case studies report getting well only after a dramatic change in their lifestyle resulting in getting in contact with their true self. These case histories are written in a florid style I was annoyed with. Perhaps the authors thought this best to reach the lay audience their work was intended for. In the course of discussing one of them, they refer to 1920s India as "mysterious". Such stereotypes have no place here. That aside, I believe the authors are relying on too little evidence, much of which is anecdotal, to suggest the formation of a new field of medicine. They are trying to correct this by establishing a clearinghouse for people to contact them with their experiences. In addition, the authors favor researching alternative treatment methods, including those of other cultures in the hope of developing a better understanding of how the healing system works. I have no problem with this as long as the patient fully understands the risks. Yet, I wonder whether this book might give false hope to those readers or their friends with terminal cancer. Remarkable Recovery by Caryle Hirshberg and Marc Ian Barasch. Copyright ©1995. Published by Riverhead Books, Division of G. P. Putman's Sons, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016. ISBN: 1-57322-000-0, 363 pp, hardback $23.95. Table of Contents | 1995 Issues | Subscribe Truth Seeker | Feedback | Freethought.com Webmaster Credit card Orders call: 800-321-9054 or fax: (619)676-0433 Or send check or money order to: Truth Seeker / 16935 W. Bernardo Drive, Suite 103 / San Diego, CA 92127 $20.00 annual U.S. subscription ($35.00 international). Individual issues—$10.00 + $2.50 postage and handling Or be a committed freethinker and send $35.00 for a two year subscription. Truth Seeker is published by Truth Seeker Co., Inc. (ISSN 0041-3712) © 1996