Healing From Chronic Myofascial Pain

AUDIOBOOK OF MEMOIR NOW AVAILABLE

HEALING FROM CHRONIC MYOFASCIAL PAIN

Support for Chronic Pain Sufferers

About Me

MARIA SOCOLOF

I’m a mother of two, a wife, and a former competitive gymnast. As a healthy, fit adult who was still dabbling in gymnastics at age forty, I also enjoyed hiking, biking, and playing tennis. Then suddenly, in the fall of 2005, chronic pain took over my life. I went from being the active, former captain of my college gymnastics team to someone who, for years, couldn’t sit, stand, or walk for more than fifteen minutes without combating debilitating pain. Then through research and personal experience, I finally found a path to healing that I want to share with others.

I hold an MS in Environmental Health Sciences from the Harvard School of Public Health and in the span of twenty-two years, I worked as an environmental health scientist, project manager, environmental consultant, researcher, and technical writer. I continued to pursue my environmental career in spite of great pain for several years, until finally realizing it was time to listen to my body and take care of it.

I hope my accumulated experience and wealth of knowledge about the healing process, gained through my greater-than-a-decade-long healing journey will help others navigate the frustrating path away from chronic pain.

Finally, as part of my healing process, I managed to publish my memoir and I now tell my story and speak on the topic of chronic pain and trauma whenever possible. I am also a founding member of the nonprofit 5WAVES, Inc, where I continue to educate others on the link between trauma and chronic pain, support survivors and families facing sibling sexual trauma, and raise awaareness of #TrueMemories, a campaign I initiated in 2024.

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Publications & Presentations

healing chronic pain and trauma

Book (print, ebook, audiobook)

Socolof, Maria. The Invisible Key: Unlocking the Mystery of My Chronic Pain. Fringe Tree Press, Port Washington, NY. April 2020 (print and ebook); September 2023 (audiobook narrated by Maria Socolof).

Articles and Poetry

Socolof, Maria. Healing From Chronic Pain. Blog. 2014-present.

Lewin, Tova, Brandy Black, Maria Socolof & Anat Talmon. "The parental experience and emotional response to sibling sexual abuse: When a parent's most valuable gift becomes a source of trauma." Child Abuse & Neglect—The International Journal. Elsevier. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107079. Available online 7 October 2024.

Kewley, Stephanie, Sarah Pemberton, Brandy Black & Maria Socolof. "Sibling sexual abuse: an introduction and critical discussion," Journal of Sexual Aggression, 29:3, 303-305, DOI: 10.1080/13552600.2023.22515233. 2023.

Socolof, Maria. "Prologue" to My Life Now by Mary Knight, pp. 1-6. October 25, 2022.

Socolof, Maria. "Journey to an Internal Place" pp. 56-59 in HUSH No More--A Poetry Book: Healing Through Words by Dr. Vanessa Dunn Guyton. Columbia, SC. April 29, 2022.

Socolof, Maria. "It's NOT Your Fault." Sibling Sexual Trauma Blog. February 23, 2022.

Socolof, Maria. "Repressed Memory, Trauma Minimization, & Finding Self-Worth." Incest AWARE Blog. February 2, 2022.

Socolof, Maria. "How Processing My Childhood Sexual Trauma Helped Me Work Through My Chronic Pain." The Mighty (and picked up by MSN.com Lifestyle). January 28, 2022.

Socolof, Maria. "Healing My Hidden Trauma." The Survivors Trust Blog. January 12, 2022.

Socolof, Maria. "What Might Be Behind Your Physical Pains." Incest AWARE Blog. November 1, 2021.

Socolof, Maria. "Story [The Role of Trauma in My Chronic Pain]." For Grace. Share Your Story blog. January 10, 2021.

Socolof, Maria. "Maria's Story of Healing with Myofascial Release Therapy and Mind-Body Connection." Hope Instilled blog. Hope Instilled - an Oasis from the darkness of pain. November 18, 2020.

Socolof, Maria. “Maria’s Story of Finding Her Voice” Guest blog post in Stop it Now! Stories of Hope. July 27, 2020.

Socolof, Maria. “Shift Happens: Healing from Chronic Pain.” Angela Shelton's Survivor Manual blog. May 17, 2020.

Socolof, Maria. “Remembering,” “Trauma,” and “The Voice Inside” pp. 101-104 in Purple Sparks: Poetry by Sexual Assault Survivors. Editors S.Y. Evans and S. D. Myles. youthSpark Voices. Atlanta, GA. 2015.

Websites

Socolof, Maria. Healing from Chronic Myofascial Pain: healingfromchronicpain.com. 2013-present.
Socolof, Maria. Fringe Tree Press: fringetreepress.com. 2020-present.

Presentations and Interviews

Blue Borage's Conversation Cafe Featuring Maria Socolof: Author of The Invisible Key. March 11, 2025.
Blue Borage's Conversation Cafe Series: A Safe Place for Corageous Conversations. Biweekly Zoom panel discussions with authors Jane Epstein, Alice Perle, Maria Socolof & Diane Tarantini. January 2025 to present
NOTA International Conference, Framing Sibling Sexual Trauma from Lived Experience, 5WAVES, Inc., Birmingham, UK, May 3, 2024
Women in Pain 11th Annual Conference - The Trauma-Pain Connection—The Path to Recovery and Growth, Post-Traumatic Growth Panel member: "Lived Stories of Growth After Trauma" with Dr Liptan, Heather Grace, Kathleen Sutherland, & Maria Socolof (@4:16:40 hr timestamp). November 17, 2023.
Instagram Live with CONSENTparenting - Sibling Sexual Trauma Discussion with Hope Sittler, Jane Epstein, and Maria Socolof. Hosted by Rosalia Rivera. April 12, 2023.
EmpowerSurvivors - Sibling Sexual Abuse with Special Guests Amanda Summers, Jane Epstein, and Maria Socolof on Conversations with Elizabeth. April 10, 2023.
International #SiblingsToo Day - Obstacles and Opportunities Panel Discussion - The Americas. Hosted by Nancy Morris. Recorded March 23, 2023, available April 15, 2023 by singing up for free here.
International #SiblingsToo Day - Survivor Panel Discussion. Hosted by Nancy Morris. April 15, 2023. Access videos by singing up for free here.
Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (SCSA) Podcast - Interviews with Richard Windmann - Maria Socolof. February 26, 2023.
#SiblingsToo podcast - The Connection Between Trauma and Chronic Pain with Maria Socolof, Episode 39, Interviewed by Nancy Morris April 21, 2022, posted November 16, 2022.
SAAN (Sexual Assault Advocacy Network) Shares - Sibling Sexual Trauma presentation. July 10, 2022.
HUSH No More - Spoken Word Book Release. Reading of poem, "Journey to an Internal Place" @37:00 min. June 12, 2022.
Handing Back the Shame - Interview by Gloria Masters, 014: Maria Socolof, May 17, 2022.
EmpowerSurvivors - 5WAVES presentation & discussion of SST on Conversations with Elizabeth. May 16, 2022.
Coffee and Cocoa - Healing Techniques presentation. April 15, 2022.
Hush No More podcast - Can You Really Forget Sexual Trauma? April 5, 2022
EmpowerSurvivors Conversations with Elizabeth - Living with Chronic Pain and Acute Injury - Presentation & discussion of my story. Recorded March 28, 2022, posted February 6, 2023.
TWC Clubhouse - lead weekly discussions related to my memoir. March-June 2022.
Coffee and Cocoa - 5WAVES discussion on Sibling Sexual Trauma (SST). March 4, 2022.
EmpowerTV - Unlocking Chronic Pain; interviewed by Monika. November 7, 2021.
IncestAWARE - The Trauma-Body Connection. Interview of Dr. Pat Ogden by Suzanne Isaza and Maria Socolof. October 12, 2021
SAAN Shares - Chronic Pain and Trauma presentation. August 2021.
Mind Body Thoughts website - Online written interview - Exclusive Author Interview - Maria Socolof - June 30, 2021.
Tail of the Bell Podcast - Interviewed by Nancy Allen. May 20, 2021.
Riverhead Public Library - Healing from Chronic Myofascial Pain (The Invisible Key Author Talk). May 1, 2021.
The Mighty Facebook Live: The Trauma-Illness Paradigm - Interviewed by Cynthia Toussaint and John Garrett. April 13, 2021
University of Rochester - Mindbody Connection presentation. March 24, 2021
Locust Valley Library - The Invisible Key Author Talk. January 20, 2021.

environmental health and science

Socolof, M.L., J. Smith, D. Cooper, S. Amarakoon. Wire & Cable Insulation and Jacketing: Life-Cycle Assessments for Selected Applications. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Design for the Environment Program, EPA 744-R-08-001. Washington DC. June 2008.

Socolof, M.L., S. Amarakoon, J. Smith, K. Macleod, B. Segal. Life-Cycle Assessment of Plenum Space Communication Cable. Prepared for the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. by Abt Associates, Bethesda, Maryland. June 30, 2008.

Socolof, M.L., J. Smith, K. Hart, L. Harriman, T. Greiner. “Comparative Life-Cycle Impacts of Wire and Cable” Insulation and Jacketing International Wire and Cable Symposium (IWCS)/Focus Conference, Lake Buena Vista, FL, November 2007.

Socolof, M.L. and J.R. Geibig. “Evaluating Human and Ecological Impacts of a Product Life Cycle: The Complementary Roles of Life-Cycle Assessment and Risk Assessment,” Human and Ecological Risk Assessment (HERA) 12(3): Human and Ecological Risk Assessment and Life Cycle Assessment: Intersections, Collisions and Future Directions. June 2006.

Socolof, M.L., P. Dillon and J. Geibig. “Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator: A Tool to Measure the Benefits of EPEAT and the Federal Electronics Challenge.” 2006 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., San Francisco, CA, May, 2006.

Geibig, J.R. and M.L. Socolof. Solder in Electronics: A Life-Cycle Assessment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Design for the Environment Program, EPA 744-R-05-001. Washington DC. August 2005. (Awarded EPA’s highest health sciences award: Scientific and Technological Achievement Award for Health Sciences, April 20, 2006.)

Socolof, M.L., J.G. Overly, and J.R. Geibig. “Environmental Life-Cycle Impacts of CRT and LCD Desktop Computer Displays,” Journal of Cleaner Production. Volume 13, Issue 13-14, pp. 1281-1294. Elsevier. December 2005.

Swanson, M., A. Weissman, G. Davis, M.L. Socolof, K. Davis. “Developing Priorities for Greener State Government Purchasing: A California Case Study,” Journal of Cleaner Production. Volume 13, Issue 7, pp. 669-677. Elsevier. June 2005.

Socolof, M.L. and J.R. Geibig. “Life-Cycle Impacts of Lead and Lead-Free Solder Used in Wave Soldering of Electronics,” 2005 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New Orleans, LA. May 2005.

Geibig, J.R. and Socolof, M.L. “Life-Cycle Impacts of Lead and Lead-Free Solder Use in Reflow Soldering of Electronics,” 2004 Joint International Congress and Exhibition Electronics Goes Green 2004 Proceedings, Berlin, Germany, September 2004.

Socolof, M.L., J. R. Geibig, and M. B. Swanson. “Cradle to Gate Toxic Impacts of Solders: A Comparison of Impact Assessment Methods,” 2003 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Boston, MA, May 19-23, 2003.

Davis, K.L. and M.L. Socolof. "State of California Guidelines for Procurement, Use and End-of-Life Management of Electronic Equipment," California Department of General Services 4-01-03-0005A, May 2003.

Geibig, J.R., M.L. Socolof, P. Paulraj, T. Brady. “Life-Cycle Comparison of Energy Use during the Application of Lead-Free Solders,” Proceedings of the Technical Conference, IPC—Association Connecting Electronics Industries APEX Exhibition Conference, March 30-April 1, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA. 2003.

Socolof, M.L, J.G. Overly, L.E. Kincaid, J.R. Geibig. Desktop Computer Displays: A Life-Cycle Assessment, Volume 1 and 2. EPA 744-R-01-004a,b, December 2001.

Design for the Environment Gravure Partnership, 2001. “The Effect of Ink Temperature On Solvent Losses and Print Quality.” EPA 744-F-01-001, February.

Socolof, M.L., L.E. Kincaid, C. Mizuki, G. Schuldt, K. Hart, and D. Singh. “CRT and LCD Monitor and Process Materials Evaluated for Environmental Improvement,”Journal of the Society for Information Display, Volume 9, Number 1, p. 45-50. 2001.

Socolof, M.L., J. G. Overly, L.E. Kincaid, D. Singh, and K. Hart. “Preliminary Life-Cycle Assessment Results for the Design for the Environment Computer Display Project,” 2000 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, p. 290-297. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., San Francisco, CA, May 2000.

Socolof, M.L., M. B. Swanson, L. E. Kincaid, K. Hart, and D. Singh. “An Environmental Life-Cycle Design Tool for Assessing Product Improvement of CRT and LCD Computer Monitors,” 1999 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, p. 232-237. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Danvers, MA, May 1999.

Socolof, M.L., L, Kincaid, C. Mizuki, G. Schuldt, K. Hart, and D. Singh. “CRT and LCD Monitor Process Materials Evaluated for Environmental Improvement,” Display Works 99 Manufacturing Technology Conference Digest, San Jose, CA, February 3-4, 1999.

Kelly, K., J.G. Overly, M.L. Socolof, and G.A. Davis. “Environmental Evaluation of Molding Exterior Body Panels in Color,” Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., August 1998.

Socolof, M.L., R.E. Saylor, and L.N. McCold. “Replacement of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) at the DOE Gaseous Diffusion Plants: An Assessment of Global Impacts,”Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 17, Number 1, January 1997.

U. S. Department of Energy. Draft Environmental Assessment for the Lease of Land and Facilities at the K-25 Site, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, DOE/EA-1175. DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, February 1997.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Performance Assessment for the Class L-II Disposal Facility. ORNL/TM-13401. Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Appendix C: Analysis of Atmospheric Emissions from the Class L-II Disposal Facility. Dose analysis, exposure pathway analysis. March 1997,

Easterly, C.E., I.E. Treitler, S.A. Carnes, S.M. Schexnayder, and M.L. Socolof. Chapter 7, “Radiation Protection,” and Chapter 8, “Hazardous Material Protection.” In Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Safety Analysis Report, KY/EM-174, prepared by Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 1997.

Easterly, C.E., I.E. Treitler, S.A. Carnes, S.M. Schexnayder, and M.L. Socolof. Chapter 7, “Radiation Protection,” and Chapter 8, “Hazardous Material Protection.” In Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant Safety Analysis Report, POEF-LMES-89, prepared by Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 1997.

Vogt, D., R. Perhac, J. Kahn, M.L. Socolof, and R. Lee. “The Economic Cost of Lead Exposure to Children Around Superfund Sites,” Draft. A product of the Joint Institute for Energy and Environment prepared for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, November 1. Health effects analysis. 1996.

Kerley, C.R., C.E. Easterly, K.F. Eckerman, T.D. Jones, R.W. Leggett, N.M. Monro, G. Mackiewicz-Ludtka, C.F. Baes, E.K. Bowman, E.K. Ohriner, and M.L. Socolof. Environmental Acceptability of High-Performance Alternatives for Depleted Uranium Penetrators, ORNL/TM-13286. August. Exposure pathway analysis. 1996.

Lombardi, D.A. and M.L. Socolof. “An Assessment of Radionuclide Emissions Associated with Potential Mixed-Low Level Waste Disposal Facilities at Fifteen DOE Sites,” 96-TP58.02, Proceedings of the Air and Waste Management Association, June, 1996, Nashville, Tenn. June 1996.

Socolof, M.L., D.W. Lee, and D.C. Kocher. Radiological Dose Assessment of Department of Energy Pinellas Plant Waste Proposed for Disposal at United States Pollution Control, Inc., in Tooele County, Utah. ORNL/TM-13223. May 1996.

U. S. Department of Energy. Performance Evaluation of the Technical Capabilities of DOE Sites for Disposal of Mixed Low-Level Waste. Volume 1: Executive Summary. DOE/ID-10521/1, SAND96-0721/1, UC-2020. U. S. DOE Office of Waste Management, Federal Facility Compliance Act Disposal Workgroup. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico. March. Radiological dose inadvertent intruder analyses and dosimetry evaluations. 1996.

Waters, R.D., M.M. Gruebel, M.B. Hospelhorn. A.M. Parsons, B.M. Thomson, M.S.Y. Chu, G.P. Zimmerman, J.D. Tauxe, D.A. Lombardi, M.L. Socolof, J. Wang, D.C. Kocher, and D.W. Lee. Performance Evaluation of the Capabilities of DOE Sites for Disposal of Mixed Low-level Waste, Volume 2: Technical Basis and Discussion of Results, DOE/ID-10521/2, SAND96-0721/1, UC-2020. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, March. Radiological dose inadvertent intruder analyses and dosimetry evaluations. 1996.

Waters, R.D. And M.M. Gruebel, Eds. Performance Evaluation of the Technical Capabilities of DOE Sites for Disposal of Mixed Low-level Waste, Volume 3: Site Evaluations. DOE/ID-10521/3, SAND96-0721/3, UC-2020, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, March. Radiological dose inadvertent intruder analyses and dosimetry evaluations. 1996.

U. S. Department of Energy. Environmental Assessment for the Management of Spent Nuclear Fuel on the Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, DOE/EA-1117. DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, February 1996.

Socolof, M.L. “Radon” and “Waste Management” Chapters. The Environmentally Safe Home CD-ROM. I-SHOP, Inc. Knoxville, Tennessee. 1995.

Socolof, M.L., M.S. Salk, A.H. Curtis, L.K. Mann, V.R. Tolbert, and T.J. Blasing. Environmental Data and Analyses for Spent Nuclear Fuel Management on the Oak Ridge Reservation. ORNL/TM-13065. Oak Ridge, Tennessee. August 1995.

U. S. Department of Energy. Draft Environmental Assessment for Class III/IV Solid Low Level Waste Storage at Solid Waste Storage Area 7 at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, July 1995.

U. S. Department of Energy. Environmental Assessment for the Melton Valley Storage Tank Capacity Increase Project at ORNL, DOE/EA-X10-354. DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, April 1995.

Socolof, M.L. “Health Care Reform - So Many Problems, So Few Solutions.” FORUM for Applied Research and Public Policy, Vol. Ten, Number One. Davenport, Iowa, Spring, p. 147. 1995.

U. S. Department of Energy. Environmental Assessment for the Warren Station Externally Fired Combined Cycle Demonstration Program, DOE/EA-1007. Washington, D. C., December. Human health assessment. 1994.

Wade, M.C., M.L. Socolof, B. Rosensteel, and D. Awl. Wetlands Assessment for Site Characterization, Advanced Neutron Source (ANS). ORNL-8634. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, October 1994.

U. S. Department of Energy. Environmental Assessment of the Reracking of the High Flux Isotope Reactor Spent Fuel Assemblies, DOE/EA-0935. Washington, D. C., September 1994.

Socolof, M.L., R.E. Saylor, and L.N. McCold. “Replacement of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) at the DOE Gaseous Diffusion Plants: An Assessment of Global Impacts,” pp. 555-565. Global Strategies for Environmental Issues -- National Association of Environmental Professionals 19th Annual Conference Proceedings. New Orleans, Louisiana. June 12-15, 1994.

Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. Guidance on Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals, Safety Analysis Report Update Program ES/CSET-20, Chapter 1: “Acetonitrile.” Oak Ridge, Tennessee, February 1994.

U. S. Department of Energy. Draft Environmental Assessment of the Interim Replacement of Chlorofluorocarbons at the Gaseous Diffusion Plants. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, March 1993.

U. S. Department of Energy. Draft Environmental Assessment of the Interim Cask Solidification Pad at ORNL, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, March 1993.

U. S. Department of Energy. Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Clean Coal Program Des Moines Energy Center Pressurized Circulating Fluidized Bed Technology. Washington, D. C., April. Human health assessment, noise assessment 1993.

Blasing, T.J., R.A. Brown, G.F. Cada, C. Easterly, D.L. Feldman, C.W. Hagan, R.M. Harrington, R.O. Johnson, R.H. Ketelle, R.L. Kroodsma, L.N. McCold, W.J. Reich, P.A. Scofield, M.L. Socolof, R.P. Taleyarkhan, and J.W. Van Dyke. Phase I Environmental Report for the Advanced Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL/TM-12069, February. Ch. 2: Demographics, Ch. 8: Traffic Assessment. 1992.

Numerous presentations.