Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Heal Faster: Unlock Your Body's Rapid Recovery Reflex

Rate this book
Discover how to harness your body's innate healing mechanisms to recover faster and more completely from virtually any condition, from common colds to chronic disease, by the author of Be Fruitful and cohost of the Body of Wonder podcast, and in collaboration with the AARP.

What if your body already has all the healing tools it needs--and you just need to learn how to activate them?

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Victoria Maizes, a pioneer of integrative medicine, reveals the remarkable power of what she calls the "rapid recovery reflex"--your body's built-in ability to restore balance and heal from illness, injury, and stress.

Drawing on forty years of medical experience and cutting-edge research, Dr. Maizes shows that complete recovery is possible for a wide range of conditions when you know how to support your body's natural healing processes. From short-term ailments--like colds and sprains--to chronic conditions--like asthma and diabetes--to recovering from surgery, this book offers evidence-based strategies to heal faster and more completely.

Inside you'll discover:
-Science-backed strategies that can speed up recovery from common ailments (like GERD, UTIs, anxiety, asthma, and eczema), chronic conditions, and even surgery.
- Surprising reasons why you should sometimes let your body's natural inflammatory response do its healing work.
-A personalized Recovery Toolkit with essential supplements, practices, and remedies for different conditions.
-Integrative tools that really work when managing mental health, stress, and anxiety.

Rather than merely treating symptoms, Dr. Maizes shows how to address the root causes of illness while providing practical tools for activating your rapid recovery reflex. This comprehensive guide empowers you to take charge of your health and tap into your body's remarkable ability to heal itself.

432 pages, Hardcover

Published January 13, 2026

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Victoria Maizes

6 books7 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
30 (29%)
4 stars
38 (36%)
3 stars
27 (26%)
2 stars
6 (5%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Jackie Sunday.
922 reviews56 followers
September 17, 2025
Americans are always in a hurry. We want everything now. However, when pain is involved, it can bring everything to a standstill. Naturally, we want a quick fix but, most of the time, there’s not a simple cure. It takes work.

Dr. Victoria Maizes shares her knowledge and experience treating patients. Surgery may seem like the logical solution but sometimes there are better ways to heal. This book comes with an organized layout of tips on how to bounce right back from an injury or medical problem.

She covers colds and viral infections, musculoskeletal pain, stomach ailments, skin and hair, orthopedic issues, asthma, depression and various other areas. Dr. Maizes said women are sadly underrepresented with medical research reports. She dedicates three chapters to cover women’s health issues. She also shares her thoughts on COVID-19.

I highly recommend buying a hardcover of this book to use as a reference. Read the entire book first and then go back to the areas that concern you. Each section includes recommended recovery plans and she has lots to say about diet, supplements and exercise. She also touches on the value of chiropractors, hypnotherapists, cannabis and psychedelic drugs for specific cases.

Dr. Maizes said that while we live in a wealthy country, we all know that the health care system in our country needs work. Sadly, the US ranks last or near last among high-income nations in preventable deaths! We are less healthy than other countries and nothing is being done to change it. We need to rely on the internet and books like this to give us guidance. The information is thorough and can be helpful for questions before seeing a doctor. It’s all about healing faster.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a copy of this advanced book with an expected release date of January 13, 2026. My views are my own.
Profile Image for Aria .
386 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 21, 2025
Heal Faster: Unlock Your Body's Rapid Recovery Reflex by Victoria Maizes is a practical, science-backed guide that earns a solid 4 stars. Drawing on decades of integrative medicine experience, Maizes introduces the "rapid recovery reflex"—the body's innate ability to restore balance after illness, injury, or stress—and offers actionable strategies to activate it for everything from colds and UTIs to chronic issues like asthma and anxiety. The book shines in blending research with real-world examples, from refugees and addicts who've thrived amid chaos to simple tools like supplements, mindset shifts, and lifestyle tweaks tailored to specific conditions. I appreciated the emphasis on supporting natural inflammation and root causes rather than just suppressing symptoms, plus the personalized Recovery Toolkit that makes it easy to apply advice immediately. The writing is clear and encouraging without being overly simplistic, and the exercises feel genuinely doable for busy readers.While some sections overlap a bit on core concepts, the structure supports quick reference, making it a handy resource for anyone wanting to bounce back faster from ailments big or small. Overall, Heal Faster empowers you to partner with your body's healing power in smart, evidence-based ways—highly recommend for proactive health enthusiasts. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kevin Dufresne.
367 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2026
Hi,

I hope all is progressing well.

Heal Faster: Unlock Your Body's Rapid Recovery Reflex by Dr. Victoria Maizes, MD, explores (quantitatively and qualitatively) integrative medicine as a multimodal approach to healing, prevention, and preparation, for, though quite beyond dimensions of surgery to well address one's being holistically. Engaging my interests in healthful progressions of life as well as of being a more mindful romantic/life partner, I decide to buy then read the text to further broaden and deepen my healthfully progressing understanding of healthfully progressing parameters of life. The text offers readily implementable details from research for one to address appropriately with mindful medicinal deliberation, ideally with medical professionals. Even so, the text acknowledges areas of medicine which may require more research. The text expounds for one to be well aware of one's health uniquely, especially considering what may be readily implementable may well work for one individual in a way though may need different attention for another individual, even if the medical situation may be the same—due to unique differences of health.

Additionally, I find the following texts may assist with further deliberating concepts of contexts within Heal Faster: Unlock Your Body's Rapid Recovery Reflex by Dr. Victoria Maizes, MD: The New Perimenopause: An Evidence-Based Guide to Surviving the Zone of Chaos and Feeling Like Yourself Again by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and the Vagina: Separating the Myth from the Medicine by Dr. Jen Gunter, MD, Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, A Man's Guide to Healthy Aging: Staying Smart, Strong, and Active (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)(SECOND EDITION) by Edward H. Thompson Jr. and Lenard W. Kaye (invited contributor), Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr. Joe Dispenza, The MindBody Code: How to Change the Beliefs That Limit Your Health, Longevity, and Success by Dr. Mario Martinez, Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live by Dr. Becca Levy, PhD, The Healing Power of Resilience: A New Prescription for Health and Well-Being by Dr. Tara Narula, MD, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery: Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life by Dr. Lee Warren, MD, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Dr. Robert M. Sapolsky, PhD, Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding by Dr. Daniel Lieberman, PhD, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing (Newly Updated and Revised 5th Edition) by Dr. Christiane Northrup, M.D., Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Dr. Matthew Walker, PhD, Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging: An Easy and Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Your Body Young, Your Mind Sharp and Your Spirit Fulfilled by Dr. Christina Chen, M.D. and Dr. Nathan K. LeBrasseur, Ph.D., Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means, MD, and Calley Means, The Book of Hormones: Ultimate Playbook for Women's Health And Hormonal Balance Through Every Stage of Life by Dr. Shweta Patel, MD, FACOG, This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More by Dr. Uma Naidoo, MD, The Penis Book: A Doctor's Complete Guide to the Penis—From Size to Function and Everything in Between by Dr. Aaron Spitz, M.D., All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today by Dr. Elizabeth Comen, MD, Younger Next Year for Women: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart—Until You’re 80 and Beyond by Dr. Henry S. Lodge, M.D., Chris Crowley, and Dr. Allan J. Hamilton, MD, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Dr. Daniel Goleman, PhD, It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn, The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by Dr. Lisa Mosconi, PhD, Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have To by Dr. David A. Sinclair, PhD, with Matthew D. LaPlante, Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life by Professor/Dr. Rose Anne Kenny, MD (FRCP FRCPI FRCPEdin FTCD FESC MRIA), The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Employee Happiness and Organizational Performance by Dr. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, PhD, and Dr. George Ward, PhD, The New Emotional Intelligence by Dr. Travis Bradberry, PhD, Not In Your Genes: The real reasons children are like their parents by Oliver James,Working with Emotional Intelligence by Dr. Daniel Goleman, PhD, Becoming Orgasmic: A Sexual and Personal Growth Program for Women by Dr. Julia R. Heiman, Ph.D., & Dr. Joseph LoPiccolo, Ph.D., (illustrations by David Palladini), Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Dr. Anna Lembke, MD, Feel It All: A Therapist's Guide to Reimagining Your Relationship with Sex by Casey Tanner, LCPC, CST, The Love Prescription: Seven Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy by Dr. John Gottman, PhD, and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD, Why Good Sex Matters: Understanding the Neuroscience of Pleasure for a Smarter, Happier, and More Purpose-Filled Life by Dr. Nan Wise, PhD, Exploring Sexuality and Disability: A Guide for Human Service Professionals with contributions and edits by Dr. Shanna Katz Kattari, PhD, MEd, CSE (with further contributions from contributors which receive credits at the beginning of the book), A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis, Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Light on Hatha Yoga by Yogi Swatmarama (in tandem with extensive exploratory commentary on the basis of practical research of Swami Muktibodhananda), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Enhancing Sexual Desire by Judy Ford, MSW, LCSW, with Rachel Greene Baldino, MSW, LCSW, Soulmates: The Six Essentials for Connected Sex by Susan Bratton, Great Sex for Life by Linda Sonntag, Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire by Dr. Lori A. Brotto, Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud About Senior Sex by Joan Price, The Sex Talk You Never Got: Reclaiming the Heart of Masculine Sexuality by Sam Jolman, MA, LPC, Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, D.O., What to Expect: Eating Well When You're Expecting (2nd Edition) by Heidi Murkoff, Chi Kung for Women's Health and Sexual Vitality: A Handbook of Simple Exercises and Techniques by Mantak Chia and William U. Wei, What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff, Urban Tantra: Sacred Sex for the Twenty-First Century by Barbara Carrellas, Idiot's Guides: Kama Sutra by Dr. Ava Cadell, SEX EDUCATION FOR TEENAGERS: ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU DON’T WANT TO ASK YOUR PARENTS ABOUT PUBERTY, DATING, AND STAYING SAFE by Riley Rhodes, Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia, MD, with Bill Gifford, Vegan for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Be Healthy on a Plant-based Diet by Jack Norris, RD, and Virginia Messina, MPH, RD, The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin by Dr. Anjali Mahto, MD, You Are Not Broken: Stop "Should-ing" All Over Your Sex Life by Dr. KJ Casperson, MD, Unbreakable: A Woman's Guide to Aging with Power by Dr. Vonda Wright, MD, The Female Body Bible by Dr. Emma Ross, Ph.D., Baz Moffat, and Dr. Bella Smith, and Dr. Nita’s Crash Course for Women: Better Sex, Better Health, Better You by Dr. Nita Landry, MD, OB-GYN.

Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne
www.Piatures.com
IG: @Dufreshest
1 review
January 26, 2026
Empowering and Practical Guide to Taking Control of Your Healing
This book brilliantly returns agency to patients, reminding us of our body’s innate capacity to heal. Dr. Maizes covers everything from common ailments to complex conditions, providing actionable strategies for accelerating recovery.
What sets this apart is the balanced approach—it doesn’t dismiss conventional medicine but rather teaches you how to become an informed partner with your healthcare providers, even in complicated healing journeys. The emphasis on evidence-based self-care alongside medical treatment is refreshing and empowering.
Whether you’re dealing with a minor injury or navigating a more serious health challenge, this book gives you practical tools to support your body’s natural healing processes. A must-read for anyone wanting to take a more active, informed role in their health.
199 reviews
March 16, 2026
I mostly used this book as a reference book, which meant that I skimmed to the parts I was more concerned about, so didn't read every single section. The parts I read had some helpful tips, but overall, I felt that the author was mostly stating 'no, duh' facts. I would have appreciated more tips for natural remedies than were given unless the author honestly doesn't know herself more natural remedies.

However, there were other sections that I read that did seem to give honestly helpful natural advice. Like for migraines. I've yet to try these tips for myself, but I'm going to try them to see if they work. Anything that offers another way out of pain or living your best life without relying on drugs, I'm all for.

So three stars because the gist of the book is decent, but not more than that because I didn't think it was the mind-blowing advice I thought it would contain.
Profile Image for Marissa C.
99 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2026
This book I felt was a simple version of a medical textbook. Each chapter was specific to certain types of ailments that most people get over their lifetimes, so you could essentially just go to the specific chapter that you are seeking information on when it comes to healing. Overall, I did not fine it be a book that I would reach for to read, unless I needed specific medical advice and I didn’t want to have to sift through google. Every much like an Encyclopedia, dictionary or thesaurus.
161 reviews
April 22, 2026
So far I am just hopping around through chapters that interest me.
I bought the book because it was recommended in AARP publication. So far, I think the book title greatly oversells what the contents really provide to the reader. The title suggests that there are ways to turn on what it calls the "Rapid Recovery Reflex" but it seems there is zero content related to any such process.
I will stop back after finishing this book with any further information.
1 review
March 10, 2026
This is a wonderful book written by my colleague and friend. It is a comprehensive collection of common sense integrative approaches for better health and healing. There are chapters for everyone - from decreasing anxiety to overcoming long COVID to recovering from surgery. I am recommending this book to friends, family and patients. Thank you Dr. Maizes for this incredible resource!
93 reviews
April 14, 2026
So much good info in this book. Quite long, so maybe it could have been edited and condensed better yes, but really good overview on healing, health and longevity approach across many common areas of life.
Profile Image for Chris.
811 reviews20 followers
July 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ This was a decent book and had a lot of information. A lot of overlapping things to help with different ailments. Science backed, but read a bit clinical at times. Pretty long read, but informative all the same.
1 review
February 28, 2026
Amazing book, very easy read. Touches on all the issues that I am interested in.
Profile Image for Jessica.
325 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2026
Accessible suggestions for helping your body use its resources to heal.
Profile Image for Amy.
724 reviews6 followers
April 21, 2026
Probably better to think of this as a reference book and refer to as needed. A good place to start if you are interested in combining traditional medicine with holistic care.
45 reviews
May 11, 2026
As an integrative medicine physician assistant I found it to be a great review and now future reference for all the tools in my tool kit.
1,042 reviews8 followers
January 13, 2026
I learned a lot of new ideas to keep myself healthy from this book. It is a great resource for both your physical body but also your mental body too. The book is very easy to read and the author goes over step by step methods on how you can help yourself if you are struggling with these certain problems, such as, Colds, the Gut, Heart Disease Depression, plus so much more. I like that she includes both alternative methods and medical advice that can help you with the topics she discuss in the book.
I was surprised at how many new ideas I came across and how those ideas have been helping me with certain problems, and I like how easy and simple the solutions are. I learned that you can use Coconut oil on your skin, you can lose weight by giving yourself a break from eating for 14 hours while you sleep and finally I've been using an app, that she suggested, that helped me add meditation into my life called Insight timer. The app is very nice because it has many types of meditations, teachers and length of time in which you can meditate, and its very adaptable to how much time I have in my schedule, plus it also helps to remind me to drink more water and stay connected with others.
Finally, you might not need this book right now, but it will be a great reference if you happen to need help with any of these topics later on, and it definitely worth reading.


I want to thank Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book about how to take better care of myself.
Profile Image for Kate Henderson.
1,674 reviews53 followers
March 16, 2026
I found this book quite difficult to get into as it had a lot of medical jargon at times, and also there were a lot of exercises to try.
If I wanted a specific question on the topic to be answered, I think it would be good as a reference - however as a book to read from start to finish, it didn't really hold my interest because of this.
Profile Image for Cee.
419 reviews
January 13, 2026
Amazing integrative medicine tips! This book helps you to put your health back into your hands not only doctors! Everyone should own a copy of this book. It’s helpful, practical and easily followed. I really appreciated the sections Your Rapid Recovery Toolkit and How to choose a Supplement. Can’t recommend this book enough!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews