T O P I C R E V I E W |
geeta |
Posted - 02/09/2006 : 17:05:58 Hello, Over the past two weeks i have made alot of progress after finally accepting that i have TMS........... resuming swimming and running two miles pain free twice a week which is something i haven't done for two and a half years. I have spoken to Dr Sarno and read Monte Hueftle's book which was a great help especially the breathing exercises. There is one thing that i am puzzled about. I have noticed that i constantly cleched by butt cheeks and hamstring especially if i feel i am in a stessfull or uncomfortable situation and it is in these two parts of my body in which i have had the most problems. Does anybody have any tips realesing tension in muscles that they are aware they are constantly cleching or has anyone experience anything similar. Thanks
Nathan
n davies |
5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
Carolyn |
Posted - 02/10/2006 : 13:18:25 I consider the tension I hold in my butt and pelvic muscles to be pure TMS. I think that muscle tension is TMS- it's generated in the mind- it's what is causing the pain. I'm not completely sold on Sarno's theory that the pain is caused by oxygen deprivation because I don't think he has any compelling data. But I don't think the mechanism is important at all. Maybe oxygen deprivation causes the muscles to tighten or maybe tighter muscles restrict the oxygen to the tissues. Who knows? The point is, when I - not my TMS- am back in charge, the muscle tension resolves itself.
Carolyn |
Jim D. |
Posted - 02/10/2006 : 10:44:02 Dave, I wondered if you were going to mention Gary. When I saw this topic, I thought immediately of him. I thought that slowly but surely he moved away from a stricter Sarno view of TMS and tended to see pain more from a physical point of view--which, I would say, is not compatible with Sarno's theories. Do you ever hear from Gary these days?
Jim Dutton |
Dave |
Posted - 02/10/2006 : 09:24:36 The creator of this forum (Gary) had a theory that much of TMS pain was caused by unconsciously holding our muscles "in rictus." I think there is some truth to this.
While Dr. Sarno's theory implies that all of the pain is internally generated, that is, caused by the brain reducing blood flow to muscles and nerves, it is possible that plain old muscle tension plays a role.
Personally I find that I am unknowingly tensing certain muscles, such as those in my shoulder. I can become aware of it and relax them. Similarly I find that I clench or grind my teeth. This seems to occur during stressful times.
This behavior is unconscious and therefore fits the mold of the TMS theory, even if not consistent with the "purist" approach.
Where Gary and I disagreed was the source of this tension. He believed it was purely habitual; I believe the tension is just another manifestation of TMS. |
lastlostmonkey |
Posted - 02/10/2006 : 08:22:24 Hi,
not sure if it's the same thing, but I had upper back / shoulder / arm / hand problems and notice that all my tension is focused in these areas.
I am trying to cultivate a habit of every few minutes just becoming aware of my body and where the tension is and consciously correcting my posture, releasing my hunched up shoulders, unclenching my fists etc. I develop the tension in the areas unconsciously and have to become conscious of how I am holding my body in order to be able to release it. Once I am aware of it I can release it no problem, but perhaps you are aware of it but can't find how to release it. I find that breathing and relaxation techniques helped in developing my awareness as well.
Must emphasise that I don't consider this to be my TMS pain, it's a seperate thing, just plain muscle tension.
lastlostmonkey |
altherunner |
Posted - 02/09/2006 : 20:36:16 I used to get terrible hip pain, when I was not getting back or neck pain. Your symptoms sound like tms to me. The pain moves around to scare you, and stay alive. |