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winstir
Canada
8 Posts |
 Posted - 03/18/2006 : 10:28:06
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I'd love to know if there are any others who have had considerable experience with processing emotions in therapy before coming across TMS and Sarno's books.
I've been dealing with a debilitating back and neck problem for a year now that likley fits Sarno's definition of TMS. I've long thought that our bodies carry emotional trauma, so when Sarno's book was recently recommended, the ideas he's talking about weren't revolutionary, although definitely challenge the conventional medical approach I've been following.
The challenging thing for me is that I have spent a fair bit of time in therapy over the past 3 years dealing with a lot of emotional pain from childhood. A lot.
Most of the testimonial-like writing I see from those who have used Sarno's approach appear to have read the book, said ah hah, this makes sense, and then are pain-free in a matter of weeks or months. I don't hear a lot about what people actually did, day in and day out, in the intervening weeks or months to get to that point.
Has anyone been in my situation? I can continue to process stuff -- I certainly have the tools. But I'm feeling confused.
thanks! |
Edited by - winstir on 03/18/2006 13:14:37 |
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Irish Jimmy
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2006 : 17:57:13
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Winstir,
I've have not been in your situation as far as therapy goes. I do know that both Dr.Sarno and Dr. Sopher have written that regardless of being in therapy, you have to make the connection that the pain is not structural. This is a big point. If you have continued to think that a physical process is in place, or you have continued to use pain killers or "supports" for your back and neck, your pain will continue on as a distraction according to the TMS doctors.
I do feel you are one step ahead in the game by having gone to therapy. I would suggest journaling if you are not presently doing so. I just wouldn't practice "The Calendar Phenomenon" as Dr. Sopher advises patients not to do. This phenomenon is where you know others who have been cured in X amount of time and expect the same results. Maybe you will have an instant or short recovery period once making the connection that the pain is generated by the unconscious, BUT, if not, do not feel discouraged, soldier on and continue to do the mental work.
Good Luck to you,
JIM
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winstir
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2006 : 10:53:21
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Thanks for replying Jim. I do journal, and I actually have started a file on my computer called "My Angry Pages". I suppose I am struggling a bit with the all-or-nothing approach and trying to wrap my arms around it.
So.. a couple of questions. If I am to completely let go of any physical source of the problem do I:
1)Stop favoring the pain by lifting heavy things etc in spite of the pain? Right now, if I were to try and lift heavy bags of groceries or say, my KitchenAid (!), I'd feel major pain. Do I ignore the pain as there 'is nothing wrong with my body?'
2)Sitting for extended times is painful -- instead of lying down when at home, do I force myself to sit for hours while reading, watching a movie, going on a car trip, etc -- again, ignore the pain?
3)Stop soothing the pain by using anything like a heating pad/ice etc since the pain isn't physical in origin?
4)Stop any treatment like massage or therapeutic pilates?
5)I used to swim but haven't for a long time because of the pain in both neck and lower back. Do I simply take it up again and work through the pain?
These are some of the things I find confusing.
Thanks for your help.
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Edited by - winstir on 03/19/2006 14:05:34 |
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altherunner
Canada
511 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2006 : 11:26:30
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What I read about starting back to exercise, was to start slowly, as you feel more comfortable with it, do more. I started back running on a treadmill at first, and ignored minor aches, and they went away.
When I had a really big lower back pain, I took codeine, and went to the gym, and ran on the treadmill, and felt better after. It's hard to let go of the few things that made us feel better, but do so gradually, maybe try replacing them with an activity that makes you feel good. Don't push so hard that you scare yourself. |
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Irish Jimmy
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2006 : 16:41:17
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Winstir,
Al is right that you should start back gradually to activities you enjoy. If you enjoy swimming, swim! Start slow and progress. Try to sit more and more each day.
I wouldn't use the heating pads, massage, or pilates for therapy. If you enjoy pilates for excercise, do it and enjoy it.
The fear will be there, it is hard sometimes to overcome, but you will by sticking to the belief your pain is not physical.
Keep track of your successes and the good days you have. Learn to build on them.
Take care, Jim
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Baseball65
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2006 : 20:22:22
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I too had been in a lot of self-evaluation type of scenarios long before I had read (and been cured) By Sarno.Therapy,psychoanalysis,etc.(mostly for anger and drug abuse)
In fact,in retrospect,I had STOPPED keeping my anger/fear journal right before the onset of my 'last stand'....coincidental?
I felt like I had 'outgrown' the need to address that sort of stuff,and it seemed as if I were just spinning wheels writing about the same old fears and angers over and over again.
After reading Healing Back Pain I immediately resumed the anger/fear writing,slowly began to challenge all the conditioning I had fallen victim unto,and consciously refuted the diagnosis I had been given by the medical world.
I recovered in about 5 weeks,with relapses diminishing as the years have passed...to about a week a year (all told)...I had last years 'refresher' right around thanksgiving.
I just get out the book,start at page one,re-immerse myself in writing and refuting and evaluating what new myths I might have fallen prey to.
It is very common for a TMSer to think 'why did this happen to me?...I already am involved in therapy?'...but if we still believe in the structural mythology the therapy isn't necessarily as...uhhhh...focused??
Pain and the ensuing desperation seem to give us that extra
'ummph' to really get down to business.
your story seems right in line with many others.In fact,you probably have a bit of a headstart over someone who might have never ever considered the need for therapy.
-p |
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winstir
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2006 : 07:15:17
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P,
Thanks for your reply. I, too, had stopped writing stuff out and after reading Sarno's Mindbody Presription, began again, labelling the file Angry Pages. It's been just under a week, but this is probably the 'easy' part for me. And hopefully, like you say, I may have a headstart here. That said, the more difficult part is the repudiation.
How did you reach that place of denouncing the physical and banishing it from your brain? As my questions show in the above post, I struggle with things like: if there's no physical source, should I just lift those 20 lbs of groceries? Should I just say, hey yeah, let's take that 3 hour car ride to ...? If I'm doing something and it begins to hurt, do I stop?
When you speak about 'evaluating and refuting what new myths you may have fallen prey to', what do you mean? Can you elaborate?
Thanks again...sorry if I'm being overly analytical...these are the things my brain wrestles with in my perfect-Sarno-TMS-type personality and wanting to do things right and perfect!
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TMS after years of therapy
