T O P I C R E V I E W |
AmyAJJ |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 10:36:44 When we're in the middle of a flare up of TMS pain are we supposed to continue exercising?
I know he talks about resuming normal activity in his books. (Sarno) But I've also seen it written that when the pain is GONE we're supposed to resume normal activity.
What about when the pain is there?
I can barely put on my pants or socks without cringing in pain and then while I'm walking on the treadmill I can cruise along at a pretty fast pace. Then as soon as I get off the treadmill I am totally crooked again and in worse pain than before.
Today I didn't even go on the treadmill because I have such pain. It doesn't seem worth it to go walk for 30 minutes just fine and then have worse pain later in the day.
So what's generally recommended? Exercise or not when we're in a lot of pain? |
4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
AmyAJJ |
Posted - 03/30/2008 : 11:00:35 quote: Originally posted by electraglideman
Amy, remember TMS pain is the results from a mild form of oxygen deprivation to the muscles and joints. When you jump on the treadmill and start walking blood (oxygen) is forced into those muscles and joints which causes a reduction in pain while you're exercising. Its happened to me many times. This should reinforce your belief that it is TMS pain. The increase in pain you are experiencing after exercising is coming from your gremlin trying to put fear in your heart. He doesn't want you to exercise. He wants you to sit around and feel sorry for yourself.
I think I needed to hear this part about my "gremlin" wanting me to sit around and feel sorry for myself. I can easily fall into that pattern. Part of my frustration is that I have a big project coming up for work in early April and I wanted to be in top shape for it, and now my back is flaring up instead. I am falling into some of the traps of believing that I need to take care of my back physically so that it can get stronger and better.
I'm starting to get it through my thick skull that I should be focusing on the psychological issues, even about this work project, instead of being upset that my back is in pain. That makes me think more about the physical.
I have been afraid to go back to the gym because I don't want to be unable to get on the airplane for my business trip in a few days. But by avoiding the gym I might be playing into the mind's trick to make it seem physical right?
But if I can't convince my brain that it's safe to exercise and even it's safe to be off the treadmill, I may wind up in more pain than before. That's what I'm nervous about.
What you said about the oxygen deprivation and the exercise alleviating that makes sense. Regular walking doesn't seem to be enough to get the oxygen flowing, and it hurts like a bitch. But faster walking on the treadmill gets things flowing more. I see that connection.
Thanks EGM. |
electraglideman |
Posted - 03/29/2008 : 19:29:08 Amy, remember TMS pain is the results from a mild form of oxygen deprivation to the muscles and joints. When you jump on the treadmill and start walking blood (oxygen) is forced into those muscles and joints which causes a reduction in pain while you're exercising. Its happened to me many times. This should reinforce your belief that it is TMS pain. The increase in pain you are experiencing after exercising is coming from your gremlin trying to put fear in your heart. He doesn't want you to exercise. He wants you to sit around and feel sorry for yourself. |
AmyAJJ |
Posted - 03/29/2008 : 11:12:21 Thanks, Mala. The pain I experience after the treadmill isn't just regular soreness from working out. It's the debilitating, chronic kind of pain that I recognize only as the TMS kind of pain. I know what you're talking about with that regular soreness and I wish it were that, but it's not.
Today I think I'm going to opt for some pain pills to see if it brings some relief. My back has almost "gone out" totally a few times this week but I have stopped it by grabbing onto something near me and reaffirming, "My back is fine. It's TMS. There's nothing to worry about. My back is fine." Then it doesn't go out, it just stays with it's chronic type of pain feeling that I have when a TMS flare up happens.
Thanks for your input. I think I will wait until I'm not walking crooked before I get back on the treadmill. |
mala |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 19:39:47 Sarno says that you should wait for the pain to lessen before starting to exercise because he thinks some people might become even more fearful should the pain increase. But if you think about it even people who don't have pain experience some sort of soreness and muscle stiffness after running or doing exercise especially if they haven't done it in a long time.
Do you think this is what is happening to you? Could it be that the increase in pain is stiffness and soreness that is associated with a workout coz it seems you are OK when you are actually running.
How about taking a mild painkiller afterwards for relief and running every other day instead of everyday?
Good Luck & Good Health Mala |