| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| austini |
Posted - 12/03/2007 : 16:22:05
Hi gang,
This is my first post on this great forum after browsing the archives for awhile.
I have recently read Sarno’s brilliant book “Healing Back Pain in order to cure my back pain. I have been experiencing back and neck pain on and off for over 25 years (since age 20). Also being 6’7” tall my spine is challenged a lot more in day to day situations compared to the average person.
The only problem I’m having accepting “totally” the TMS explanation is that with my latest round of back problems (started approx 8 weeks ago) I only get a nasty painful twinge at a particular angle when bending over. If oxygen deprivation is the problem I can’t understand why the twinge only occurs at one spot which is approximately half way through any forward bending movement. The only other minor pain I have been experiencing is an intermittent dull ache in the lower back along with numbness on the soles of both feet. When the twinge occurs the numbness usually increases on the bottom of my feet along with increased muscle tightness.
Despite my long term back problems I never let it stop me exercising but this is the first time I have lost the ability to bend forward past half way. I don’t know how I’m going to regain my ability to bend forward at the waist when I get a very nasty painful twinge that stops me going past half way. Should I just somehow accept the pain the bend past that single painful sticking point? I have tried this but the pain from the twinge stops me in my tracks every time.
So, if anyone has any views on this and/or if you have experienced a similar problem I would be very appreciative of your reply.
Cheers - Gordon
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| austini |
Posted - 12/04/2007 : 17:14:52
Hi Penny,
More so when I was younger there is not doubt that being very tall certainly made me feel self-conscious. Also there has been a lifetime of wise cracks and jokes etc about my height. They don't affect me so much nowadays and being older this happens much less frequently. Although I do wonder how old do I have to be before people stop asking me if I still play basketball
However I imagine there is probably a lot of irritation and negative self esteem issues etc still locked away in my subconscious from all of this. Thankfully I have had a wonderfully successful life in many respects despite these issues. Now I just need to get control over anxiety and pain related issues and that will really be the icing on the cake.
I'm sure as I continue to apply Sarno's principles more things will come to the surface.
Cheers - Gordon
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| Penny |
Posted - 12/04/2007 : 16:39:59
Have you always felt "different" b/c of your height? Perhaps outcast, or singled out, revered or that people would have certain impression of you due to height? Maybe this is something for you to consider.
(I'm a shorty-pants myself and have found that my stature has been a source of inferiority sometimes  |
| austini |
Posted - 12/04/2007 : 16:01:19
skizzik & armchairlinguist,
Thanks for that. After your comments it really sunk in just how much I have conditioned myself to believe that being very tall has significantly contributed to my back problems. Admittably it is very uncomfortable at times given that not much is designed with people my height in mind (eg cars and plane seating) and not without its problems but I realise now that this is not the real reason for the pain. There are plenty of short people around who despite being able to fit nicely in cars and planes etc who still chose to slouch badly and not experience back pain.
Well I have some work in sorting out the control my subconscious mind has over me.
Cheers - Gordon
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| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 12/04/2007 : 10:03:37
Just to add to this reflection on the 'It hurts because I'm tall', my boyfriend who is also very tall (within an inch of your height) does not have back pain. Like skiz says, this is the kind of reason that doesn't really make sense. Your body is adapted to you being tall!
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It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
| skizzik |
Posted - 12/04/2007 : 04:07:53
quote:
Originally posted by austini
Also being 6’7” tall my spine is challenged a lot more in day to day situations compared to the average person.
someone w/ backpain thats 50 pounds overwieght would say that about the weight.
someone w/ backpain that carries a newborn around would say that about the constant attention given and lack of sleep.
someone w/ backpain that is a bricklayer would say that about the constant bending.
someone w/ backpain that is in telecommunication would say that about having to sit all day.
someone w/ backpain that is an all "a" student would say that about lugging a big backpack around all day.
point is it's backpain. Everyone has their structural reason why their spine is more challanged than the average.
Would you be in pain if the soft tissues surrounding the spine were fully oxygenated?
The pain signal is the human "check engine light". The mind has realized that it can trigger this light and be convincing too by reducing blood alteration and causing the soft tissues to say "hey, they'res less oxygen circulating around here than there's supposed to be."
It's hard to keep our eyes on the road ahead w/ that bright "check engine light on".
Unlike a car computer, our unconcious is clever, and one progamming wont do. It needs constant programming to be deconditioned.
Just my 2 cent perception 
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| austini |
Posted - 12/03/2007 : 23:27:27
Thanks Penny,
I will check out those links.
I also received Fred Amir's book in the mail today.
Cheers - Gordon |
| Penny |
Posted - 12/03/2007 : 21:13:31
Hey Gordon, Welcome to our group. If you want to supplement your book reading, check out Kelvin's links http://kelvin.gunnells.net . He's got some free audio programs featureing Sarno that are really helpful.
Good luck and the best in healing to you!
quote:
Originally posted by austini
Hi Dave,
Thanks very much for your suggestion.
I have been doing some thinking and re-reading of Sarno's book since posting this message earlier. I believe you are correct. I have become fearful of bending at the waist and expect the twinge to occur when I bend forward. In fact if I'm really honest the pain is not all that bad lately when the twinge occurs. It's really more the case of "oh I hope it's not going to be really painful like it was some weeks ago when the condition first arose". In other words the dreaded "what if" the original really severe pain returns the next time I get a twinge. Classic anxiety conditioning.
I'm new at this but I'm getting there.
Thanks again - Gordon
>|< Penny
"Feeling will get you closer to the truth of who you are than thinking."
~ Eckhart Tolle
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| austini |
Posted - 12/03/2007 : 21:01:43
Hi Dave,
Thanks very much for your suggestion.
I have been doing some thinking and re-reading of Sarno's book since posting this message earlier. I believe you are correct. I have become fearful of bending at the waist and expect the twinge to occur when I bend forward. In fact if I'm really honest the pain is not all that bad lately when the twinge occurs. It's really more the case of "oh I hope it's not going to be really painful like it was some weeks ago when the condition first arose". In other words the dreaded "what if" the original really severe pain returns the next time I get a twinge. Classic anxiety conditioning.
I'm new at this but I'm getting there.
Thanks again - Gordon |
| Dave |
Posted - 12/03/2007 : 20:38:45
quote:
Originally posted by austini
I only get a nasty painful twinge at a particular angle when bending over. If oxygen deprivation is the problem I can’t understand why the twinge only occurs at one spot which is approximately half way through any forward bending movement.
Please re-read the section of Dr. Sarno's book that discusses the importance of conditioning. It is critical. |
