| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ucreger |
Posted - 01/03/2006 : 14:31:20
Dr. Sarno states that 99% of TMS patients have pain on palpation of varying degrees on both sides of the upper buttock, deep in the lumbar paraspinal muscles and upper trapezious. this is regardless of the major site of pain. This on page 67 of the Mindbody Prescription. He also talks about this is healing back pain.
Have you all experienced the same type of pains described above? All the pains, not just one I am relatively new to Dr Sarno's theories, a month or so, and have found considerable improvement since learning about TMS. My pain is localized to my lower left back and left leg (I don't have the other symptoms described) and am beginning to have doubts of my self diagnosis of TMS based on the above info.
Any experiences you can share would be appreciated. |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| esher |
Posted - 01/06/2006 : 10:43:10
Just an addendum to Boswoof's comment: I too had palpation done by a TMS doctor (Dr. Schechter). I got the impression that you have to be pretty precise where you press, because he moved his thumb around a couple of times feeling for the right spot in each location. For the first few spots in each location, I didn't feel much of anything, but when he hit the right spot, YEEOW. And this was true in my shoulder area as well, where I generally feel no pain at all.
So I suspect you need to know what you're doing. |
| ucreger |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 12:35:43
That helps Boswoof thanks, also made me laugh too, thanks again. This is the info I was looking for, and for some reason was stuck on it. Your account and Stryder's post have helped quite a bit.
Stryder the MRI showed disc hernitaion between L4 and L5, which I had expected based on Sarno's account of Disc's getting all the blame. At any rate I promptly cancled my future PT appointments and hit the gym. I didn't have the heart to suggest to the Dr that my pain is the result of TMS not the disc he was showing me that was to blame.
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| Boswoof |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 09:39:13
ucreger,
I had the exact same doubts until I saw a TMS doctor in Texas. The doctor I saw knows Dr. Sarno personally, so I know he knows what he was doing. I didn't think I had the pain on palpation when I read the book, because I tried palpating those points myself, and I wouldn't say that it really hurt especially bad at those points.
The thing is, when the TMS doctor palpated the points, he basically pushed his thumb into certain areas what felt to be very firmly and deeply. I was facing the other direction because he was doing this to my back, but when he poked a couple of different areas, I just about jumped 3 feet in the air because it HURT. Remember -- I knew in general where the trigger points were, and I poked myself all over, and couldn't feel anything out of the ordinary. You have to know what you're doing to find these pressure points, and palpate them properly.
I had huge doubts about this myself, and I still have a few doubts in my mind (typical TMS thoughts). My doubt is "wow, he pushed so hard on those trigger points, that would have caused pain to ANYBODY". I had an urge when at the doctors office to bring my wife over and have him poke her in the same places to see if it hurt her too. I did say to him "you pushed really hard", and he that that's the way it's done
so I didn't keep questioning it.
It's funny that this guy was trained directly by Sarno, and demonstrated to me that I have TMS, and I still have doubts.
The main point is, I don't think you can really diagnose the pain on palpation yourself. You need to know exactly what to do, and how to do it. Don't think you don't have TMS because of what you mentioned here.
Boswoof |
| Stryder |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 09:33:43
quote:
Originally posted by ucreger
Thanks Stryder, I appreciate the support. I have an appointment with the Dr where we will go over my MRI results. I am pretty sure a disc will be to blame, once I get that news I will be marching ahead.
Any DX from your MRI doc is going to put the source of your pain with a structural defect, so its not likely that this trip to the doc will be helpful with your TMS recovery. In fact, this is contrary to the principles of TMS and is likely to be a detrement to your recovery.
You can of course go the doc appointment to rule out a serious medical condition, which is good to do. Be polite, and be prepared to discard the DX after you leave the doc office.
Take care, -Stryder |
| ucreger |
Posted - 01/04/2006 : 08:29:16
Thanks Stryder, I appreciate the support. I have an appointment with the Dr where we will go over my MRI results. I am pretty sure a disc will be to blame, once I get that news I will be marching ahead. |
| Stryder |
Posted - 01/03/2006 : 15:32:43
Hi ucreger,
If you have been to the doc and the doc says you are in no danger, then you have nothing to loose but your pain.
You can just forget trying to exactly match what you see in Sarno's books to your precise situation. It doesn't work that way. Everyone's case is a bit different. Don't give it another thought.
Since you have seen improvement using TMS techniques then that should just put any doubt right out of your mind.
Ignore you doubt, ignore any previous structural diagnosis you may have had from previous docs.
Loose the steriods, the celebrex, any other NSAIDs, and the PT. These are not doing anything to address your TMS. You may use the pain killers to take the edge off, but it sounds like you are past that point, you likely will not need them any longer.
Important: Don't put yourself on some sort of time table for recovery (for example: I need to be cured by <pick any date>). Just take it a day at a time. Ignore any minor setbacks you encounter along the way.
Sounds like you are on the right track.
No Fear. Keep marching Sarno Soldier.
Take care, -Stryder |
| ucreger |
Posted - 01/03/2006 : 14:53:26
I've recurring back pain for years, anytime it gets particularly bad I see the Dr who prescribes pain pills, celebrex, or steroids and PT. This usually works in a month or so. I am 6 months into my latest and was showing no signs of improvement. A friend reccommended Healing Back Pain, after about 3 readings I can identify alot with what Sarno is saying and have seen signifigant improvement. That and years of being wound pretty tight have brought me to the TMS theory.
I have taken your advice and hit the gym, not with the vengeance you describe but the pain hasn't gotten any worse. If anything it's better. I really just want my pain free life back.
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| n/a |
Posted - 01/03/2006 : 14:38:15
What made you think that you might have TMS in the first place? Have you tried applying Dr. Sarno's work on yourself yet?
TMS is very ecclectic in the symptoms it choose to manifest.
Tell us about yourself and what is going on in your life and your personality profile. |
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