| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| trduvpn |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 23:49:03
Hello all.. so I finished reading Mr. Sarno's book last night and closed the book in frustration. The whole book was about the benefits of the "program", however, What IS the program? With each new chapter I would get excited to learn what I can do to conquer the pain and then I would just read more commercial, convincing me that it works. I did pull away with 1. Talk to my brain ( not sure what to say ) and 2. Start noticing anger when I am in pain. Is that it? Is that the whole program? I have to think that there is more. Could someone help me to learn the basics of the "TMS program?" Thank you. |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lynnl |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 16:51:41
quote:
Originally posted by trduvpn
....
The whole book was about the benefits of the "program", however, What IS the program? With each new chapter I would get excited to learn what I can do to conquer the pain and then I would just read more commercial, convincing me that it works.
There is a reason so much emphasis was devoted to convincing or selling the idea that it "works."
For one thing, most people are very reluctant to accept that idea, and secondly, coming to accept the idea, totally and without reservation, is the primary of the two main ingredients of the program. It is the foundation, upon which the second ingredient, shifting focus to emotional/psychological thoughts, must rest to stop the pain process.
I started out trying to think of what might be bothering me, but I quickly found that it didn't make much difference just what exact psychological thoughts I concentrated on, so long as they were of an emotional nature. There may well be some specific buried issues that were driving my pain process, but I sure never uncovered them, and found that it wasn't necessary.
Lynn |
| Dave |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 12:03:13
quote:
Originally posted by trduvpn
Hello all.. so I finished reading Mr. Sarno's book last night and closed the book in frustration. The whole book was about the benefits of the "program", however, What IS the program? With each new chapter I would get excited to learn what I can do to conquer the pain and then I would just read more commercial, convincing me that it works. I did pull away with 1. Talk to my brain ( not sure what to say ) and 2. Start noticing anger when I am in pain. Is that it? Is that the whole program? I have to think that there is more. Could someone help me to learn the basics of the "TMS program?" Thank you.
Seems you are looking for a "magic bullet" to "cure" your TMS. The book will not give you that.
The cure is about knowledge and acceptance, and embarking on a life long change in thoughts and behavior.
The key is being able to accept that the symptoms are benign, manufactured by the brain, and not due to any structural problems or disease. Of course, to take this first step, you must have a full medical work-up to rule out any serious problems.
Once you have a clean bill of health, then you may proceed to ignore the symptoms and change your reaction to them. Instead of focusing on them, fearing them, attempting to "fix" the structural issues that may be causing them, you instead accept them. When aware of the symptoms, remind yourself they have a psychological and not physical cause. Shift your focus to your emotional state. Think about what might be troubling you deep inside. Think about what is going on in your life that may be stirring negative emotions that you are not even aware of. Be honest with yourself about how you really feel about your life situation: your job, your friends, your family. Explore the feelings that may be forbidden or embarassing.
Once you go down this path of "thinking psychologically" you are re-training your mind. You are re-conditioning your response to the symptoms. Over time this exercise serves to reduce the symptoms. Even as the symptoms remain (or even get worse, as is typical in the early stages of fighting TMS) they no longer have a power over you. As they lose their ability to steal your focus, they will fade away, since you have figured out that they are benign and will not allow them to serve their purpose. |
| Stryder |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 09:49:16
Hi TrdUvPn,
Curious which book did you read and where is your pain currently ?? If you have back/neck/arm pain then the good doctor's Healing Back Pain (book 2) is a good start. If you have TMS equivelant pain, for example, IBS, RSI, migraine, tinnitus, then The MindBody Prescription is a good choice (book 3).
You are not the first one who has looked for more of a road map on what's next. In the earlier books, Dr. Sarno was using them as part of his treatment program, you would get an exam at NYU, read the book, attend the lecture(s), and be on your way.
This forum has a cool search feature (look at the top of the page), and in the 6500 topics there is a lot of discussion on steps. You can also take a look at the www.tmswiki.org which has some members from this forum. There also also many TMS books by other docs and writers that might be helpful, search this forum and the tmswiki.
Take care, -Stryder |
| trduvpn |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 08:28:28
Thank you so much tennis tom! Yes, I have done all the tests and been through the plethora of doctors. I will check out everything you sent. Thanks for heading me on a track. |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 07:43:58
Hi TrdUvPn,
That's a great moniker by the way, welcome to the board and hopefully not the bored. Step one is to eliminate real structural problems like a tumor. Have you been examined by a competent physician to eliminate the structural, not everything is TMS? Look in my sig below and make an appointment with a TMS physician for an accurate diagnosis. Preferably call Dr. Sarno's office in NYC and see him.
Good Luck!
==================================================
DR. SARNO'S 12 DAILY REMINDERS:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0dKBFwGR0g
TAKE THE HOLMES-RAHE STRESS TEST
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_and_Rahe_stress_scale
Some of my favorite excerpts from _THE DIVIDED MIND_ :
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
==================================================
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." Jiddu Krishnamurti
"Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." Author Unknown
"Happy People Are Happy Putters." Frank Nobilo, Golf Analyst
"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." Mark Twain and Balto
======================================================
TMS PRACTITIONERS:
John Sarno, MD
400 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016
(212) 263-6035
Here's the TMS practitioners list from the TMS Help Forum:
http://www.tmshelp.com/links.htm
Here's a list of TMS practitioners from the TMS Wiki:
http://tmswiki.org/page/Find+a+TMS+Doctor+or+Therapist
Here's a map of TMS practitioners from the old Tarpit Yoga site, (click on the map by state for listings).:
http://www.tarpityoga.com/2007_08_01_archive.html |
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