| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| alanna25 |
Posted - 11/04/2009 : 20:28:19
I recently came across Dr. Sarno when I specifically googled "chronic muscle tension" the other day. I think that term would describe what I have been living with for so many years I cannot even say how many it has been. There are times it is better, and some when it is worse (big changes in life or emotional upheaval). I have known since I was a teen that I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety (I just turned 41 but I rarely suffer from panic attacks anymore). I have been trying to figure out, however, what in the heck this chronic tension in my back and shoulders was and what I can do to "get rid of it". The other day is the first time I have heard the term TMS and when I read what it was and the symptoms, it was this life-changing moment for me, knowing the search for what I have been suffering with all these years has finally come to an end.
I have reached this point before, where I just don't want to live with this back pain anymore and I have to do something. The last time I was at this point of no return a few years ago, I started seeing a practitioner for a form of biofeedback, which helped in the short term but once I stopped treatment I was right back to square one. I was starting to run out of options of what to do (I am a large proponent of alternative healing and have no intention to ever be on medication, or have surgery, for this issue).
I thought for a long time that my brain had some role to play in this chronic tension, but I wasn't sure what to DO about it or what exactly was going on it my body. What I read about anxiety didn't seem to completely describe what I was experiencing.
I have read several posts about people who belittle EFT on this board. I have been using EFT on myself for a few years on many different issues (both physical and emotional) and it has been a life-saver for me. I am not advocating that everyone run out and try it...but I can only say what has worked for me. I can absolutely say that it has permanently helped me heal specific emotional issues from my past. Given that a big cause of TMS is unresolved emotional issues (which I have been working on through the years yet I seem to still have more to do!), I plan to continue to use EFT to find some peace around them.
I picked up two of Dr. Sarno's books from the library and have started to read them...and I did get a lot of relief from my back pain from reading the Healing Your Back Pain book. The pain has come back, but it was heartening to know that when I specifically address the pain with my body, I seem to get some relief from the pain.
I can wholeheartedly empathize with those of you who are perfectionistic. And who have low self worth. And who care a bit too much what other people think. I get a feeling that these (illogical) beliefs are a big proponent of TMS for me as well.
I look forward to reading more posts on this board, and it is heartening to find others who also have experienced TMS (and especially those who have permanently healed from this). It's hard sometimes to not feel like you are the only one out there who is going through this and now I know I am not.
For those of you who have made it this far with my story (!), I do have a question for you regarding muscles and the affects of TMS on them. If one has permanently healed their TMS, where does that leave the muscles of the back/shoulders/hips/etc.? If muscles have been tight/taught for many years...do they just go back to being long and lean on their own, or is there a healing process our muscles go through? I ask this, because if my muscles have been tight for so long, then they have been shortened or perhaps my body is "out of alignment" (I cringe to say that because it sounds like I want to run to a chiro which I do not) but perhaps this is a long way around to asking...is there anything I can do to help my body heal it's long-term effects with TMS or can I rely on my body to heal itself and go back to it's natural shape?
Alanna |
| 2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| alanna25 |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 12:28:02
LaKevin,
Thanks for your reply. I had a feeling that TMS could very well cause muscle shortness or damage over time, but am heartened to know that once the TMS has been worked through that my muscles can get back to a healthy state.
I am fortunate that I found a dr. that works with TMS that is a few miles from where I live in Michigan. I have an appt with him next month and he offers a 6-week program to help TMS sufferers. I really look forward to that.
I also wanted to address your statement:
As far as the EFT thing goes. Why tap on things when it's all stemming from the mind anyways? WHy not skip the middle man and go straight to the source?
It sounds to me that you think EFT only deals with emotions, or that emotions are somehow separate from the mind. From my psychology and counseling education I have learned that thoughts create emotions, which if not dealt with (thus repressed), are stored in the body. What EFT does is to directly work with the thoughts/memories, which then permanently releases the stored emotions in the body, hence healing. Is this not the very same thing that is causing the TMS and every other disease in existence (as you can see I am a firm believer that all disease stems from unresolved psychological issues)?
While I am very motivated to use the information I learn related to TMS to help my healing, I also plan to use EFT to heal my unresolved experiences and beliefs from the past (or for someone who doesn't believe in EFT, a "talk-therapist" - but it will just take longer). Is there a reason to limit oneself to only one type of healing modality? I don't think so.
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| la_kevin |
Posted - 11/04/2009 : 20:57:30
In Dr. Sarnos books he alludes that "TMS is a benign syndrome"( or something to that effect) but it's relative, atrophies are not benign.
TMS can cause weakening and shortening of muscles through the compensation affect. TMS can also get so bad that it can cause knots(sp) to develop in muscle tissue after intense spasms for months on end..
I should know, I had them. Literal knots and build up of toxins in my legs, to the point the were noticeable by my old massage therapists. I also had atrophy of my left leg down the full length. My calf on the left was stretched and weak, while my right side was strong and over developed.
I did NOT start out that way. TMS caused that directly.
Granted I was a very extreme case, but it can happen. When TMS started to leave and after intense therapy, my pain left, my walking improved, I no longer limped, my muscles eased, knots never came back, and now I'm fine.
TMS is not 'harmless' to a long term sufferer. THe pain can cause abnormal gait and unbalanced muscles if bad enough. But when TMS heals, the muscle tone usually goes back to normal.
SOme may disagree with me. But limping for years from TMS pain can do a number on joints and ligaments. I limped for years. I know for a fact that TMS was withering away at my body. It wasn't 'benign'.
Now I may be the only one here that experienced that, but it happened.
As far as the EFT thing goes. Why tap on things when it's all stemming from the mind anyways? WHy not skip the middle man and go straight to the source?
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"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans"- John Lennon
"TMS is just as afraid of us succeeding, as it is us failing" - Me |
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