| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LIlith |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 09:32:17
Help! I suffered with back pain on and off for thirty years until I read Dr. Sarno's books, about six years ago. Back pain hasn't been an issue since.
Then on Monday I had a very upsetting family issue, and guess what? My back "went out" the next morning and I've been suffering ever since. I know the problem is TMS, but what do I do about the pain right now? I don't have my Sarno books...I loaned them to friends years ago and haven't seen them since.
Thanks in advance to anyone who reads this and responds...I'm desperate. (Yes, that's a little melodramatic I guess, but it hurts!)  |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LIlith |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 14:45:39
quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Each time the brain induces TMS symptoms and you successfully battle them, it reinforces the reconditioning.
Oh, yes! I hadn't thought of that, but you're right...it's like exercising a muscle. Thanks for your insight...much appreciated. |
| Dave |
Posted - 04/05/2009 : 10:56:01
quote:
Originally posted by LIlithAnd then I had a good long talk with my brain. I woke with a little less pain on Friday and so that morning I did it again (talked to my brain). An hour later, about noon, the pain disappeared. I expected it to take a while for all the knots in my back to loosen up, but no - the relief was immediate and complete. I'm in shock!
It's great that you found relief in this episode. You confronted your brain and you won.
It seems you are really getting the hang of it, because you immediately associated an "upsetting family issue" with the back pain. However, chances are that this issue affects the child inside you in ways that you do not realize on a conscious level. Keep digging to try to find those feelings, all the while ignoring the pain as best as you can.
I believe these flare-ups are constructive in the recovery process. Each time the brain induces TMS symptoms and you successfully battle them, it reinforces the reconditioning. Over time the flare-ups should become less frequent and less severe, and it will become easier for you to ignore the physical symptoms and focus on the underlying psychological causes. |
| LIlith |
Posted - 04/04/2009 : 08:43:54
Sorry if my post sounded a little hysterical. I hadn't had any back pain in many years and was really suffering. The pain started on Tuesday and hadn't let up at all when I wrote that post.
Anyway, that night (Thursday) I read a post in the Success Forum by CRK...specifically, this:
quote:
So, here is what has been working for me the past couple of days. I'm pretty sure I'm almost out of the woods. This is just a list of thoughts and mental talk in no particular order. Let me know if this helps or if it's unclear in any way. Take care!
- Relax, breathe, you're ok.
- Don't look at the pain, look at the problem.
- It's a bad radio station playing next door. It's not who I am. I am healthy and strong. Ignore it so you can live your life.
- I'm going to be just fine. It's leaving. I don't know when -- I don't have to know when. I have all those moments of pain free living ahead of me. Soon.
- I will win. I always have won! All those b.s. pains - where are they now? Gone. You will go too. Soon. I will be victorious! There is no doubt.
- I cannot control X situation. I can do x,y, & z, but I am not in control of others or of the universe. And what a relief: not being in control means I am not responsible for all that. Only for my own being.
- I am trying to think through this problem. Please shut up so I can think. You're nothing but a spoiled brat screaming "look at me!" and I really don't have time.
- I can work this problem out, and I can do it without you (addressing TMS). Haha! I've handled this exact situation, with just as much anxiety, without you. You are completely ridiculous and you're in the way.
- I'm going to study this problem. You are not going to stop me. Shush.
Helpful actions: laughing, humming, singing. I do find angry words towards the pain to be helpful in the less severe moments, but I found that when I was really hurting badly, anger was just fuel. Better to go the zen route. :)
And then I had a good long talk with my brain. I woke with a little less pain on Friday and so that morning I did it again (talked to my brain). An hour later, about noon, the pain disappeared. I expected it to take a while for all the knots in my back to loosen up, but no - the relief was immediate and complete. I'm in shock!
Great forum! Thanks! |
| pandamonium |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 09:55:26
Hi Lilith,
I guess since you know it's TMS you should do what the good doc suggests; take a pain killer, don't agonise over it, rest a while and then start moving again.
Hope you're on the mend soon.
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| iyusaf |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 09:45:20
Sorry to hear you are in pain. You can view TMS material online. Wikipedia has links to many of the popular TMS videos including the 20/20 clip. Dr. Schubiner makes some of his introductory material available online as well. This board is also a terrific resource. Finally, Amazon has Sarnos's Healing Back Pain available as an audio download for about $10.00.
Good luck! |
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