My Memoir
THE INVISIBLE KEY - now available
The Invisible Key: Unlocking the Mystery of My Chronic Pain
The Invisible Key: Unlocking the Mystery of My Chronic Pain
Competitive athlete turned scientist discovers the key to healing her chronic pain in this raw and gripping memoir
Published by Fringe Tree Press
Available for purchase at:
- The Dolphin Bookshop, Port Washington, NY (paperback)
- Amazon.com (paperback and eBook)
- BarnesandNoble.com (paperback)
- Walmart (paperback)
Available to borrow at the following Long Island Libraries:
The Invisible Key: Unlocking the Mystery of My Chronic Pain
The Invisible Key: Unlocking the Mystery of My Chronic Pain
The Invisible Key: Unlocking the Mystery of My Chronic Pain
My memoir encompasses my journey of going from competitive gymnast . . . to nearly suicidal chronic pain sufferer . . . to much healed and hopeful survivor who has been awakened to the immense power of the mind’s influence on the body.
At age forty, my “perfect” life took a detour after I developed chronic neck pain subsequent to a “roll-over accident.” I spent years living with initially undiagnosed and debilitating chronic myofascial pain as I struggled to keep my head up, care for my children, maintain my marriage, and work at my job.
I saw a variety of doctors, underwent neck surgery, tried a multitude of medications, and was treated by an assortment of traditional physical therapists. I’d crescendo into hopefulness, only to collapse into despair as each treatment failed. That is, until I discovered that mindbody approaches to healing could free me from unrelenting pain, I finally began the slow process of healing, and achieved a dramatic reduction in my pain.
I came to a profound appreciation of the body’s ability to heal itself. But my pain lingered. It's difficult to alter neuropathways that have been set through decades of subconscious, automatic reactions. Even so, I never gave up hope.
In the complex world of healing from chronic pain, the book brings to light the commonly unknown condition of “chronic myofascial pain” (also known as "myofascial pain syndrome") and how emotions and trauma can be underlying causes of chronic physical pain. It also reveals how much one can heal even when hope is lost.
Bonus Content
VIDEO - AERIAL SILKS COLLABORATION
VIDEO MONTAGE - 1986 GYMNASTICS FOOTAGE
VIDEO MONTAGE - 1986 GYMNASTICS FOOTAGE
Inspired by my memoir - Aerial silks routine performed by my former gymnastics teammate Fritzi Frey, accompanied by my daughter, vocalist Camille Socolof, and by pianist Blair Greene. With an introductory poem written and read by me, this video is a representation of my relationship with my body.
VIDEO MONTAGE - 1986 GYMNASTICS FOOTAGE
VIDEO MONTAGE - 1986 GYMNASTICS FOOTAGE
VIDEO MONTAGE - 1986 GYMNASTICS FOOTAGE
Video montage of me competing in gymnastics in 1986 and reading excerpts from my 2020 memoir, When my physical pain changed how I could express myself, I had to find new ways of creative expression. Hence my foray into writing and video making.
interviews:
author talk:
author talk:
THE TRAUMA-ILLNESS PARADIGM - Video recorded interview - The Mighty Live
On April 13, 2021, co-hosts Cynthia Toussaint and John Garrett talked with The Invisible Key author Maria Socolof about how her early-life trauma led to chronic pain and how the body never forgets when it comes to trauma.
MIND BODY THOUGHTS WEBSITE -
Exclusive Author Interview - Maria Socolof - June 30, 2021.
author talk:
author talk:
author talk:
HEALING FROM CHRONIC MYOFASCIAL PAIN - Recorded author talk
Meet Maria Socolof, author of The Invisible Key: Unlocking the Mystery of My Chronic Pain.
Competitive athlete turned scientist discovers the key to healing her chronic pain in this raw and gripping memoir. In the complex world of healing from chronic pain, this book brings to light the commonly unknown condition of "myofascial pain syndrome" and how emotions and trauma can be underlying causes of chronic physical pain. May 1, 2021.
Praise for The Invisible Key
accepted by indie new york
November, 2020
The Invisible Key has been accepted into "Indie New York," a collection of books from local indie authors available to patrons of participating libraries all across New York via the BiblioBoard Library mobile and web platform.
Click here to see if your local library carries it or if you would like to request they do so.
Review quotes
"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?
“. . . her unique perspective and honest expression will help open the eyes and minds of the medical and mental health worlds to create a more integrative way of healing.” Suzanne Boynton, BS, Owner, Transitions Training LLC.