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Robbie
6 Posts |
 Posted - 06/16/2006 : 09:00:41
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Hi everyone, I'm very new here and have just read the Healing Back Pain book. The book makes sense to me but not sure how to even go about attempting to figure this out. I plan to read it again, but one thing I am confused about is the physical activity. I know Sarno mentions beginning physical activity after the pain is gone. So is one to work on the emotional triggers of the pain, get the pain reduced through that, and only then begin physical activity? I don't know if we are to mention symptoms here, but I have foot pain for 1.5 years constant - pain when sitting, standing, walking, sleeping, and wondering do I work on the pain reduction first, or continue with the life modifications I have made (sitting in shower, not going to grocery, being dependant on others completely, etc, etc) until the pain is gone or significantly reduced and only then begin activity?? I feel like continuing with the modifications keeps me focused on the pain?
My massage therapist of all people gave me this book b/c she believes in Sarno's ideas. She thinks I do have physical soft tissue problems, but thinks they might have been created by repressed emotions. She thinks I should not do physical activity at this time and I shouldn't until the pain is gone. Is this how it works? From Sarno, sounds like I should even stop going to the massage therapist who introduced me to him! Thanks for helping me clear this up! |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2006 : 11:55:19
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Hi Robbie,
Sarno says return to "normal" activity. TMS is not linear--it's a circle. You have to jump in anywhere. Sarno says that footpain, by all it's various medical terms, like plantar fascitis, etc., is most likely TMS--probably an 80% or better percent chance. Get a DX from a TMS MD, it would help you speed up the TMS "cure". For a comprehensive list of TMS practinoers, go to www.tarpityoga.com site and look for the tab about TMS.
Your massage therapist is quite enlightened and has done you a great mitzva. Sarno stopped sending patients to PT after his first book. He found it continued the focus on the physical. You can keep getting massages in appreciation to your benevolent PT--but NOT with the intention that it will heal anything. I still get massages but with the intention that: it relaxes, it's a reward for hard-play to sore muscles and because it feels sooooo delicious.
Robbie, don't wait to start "normal" activity, until you are TMS cured or it won't happen. Just do it!
The proof of TMS healing is in the doing. Start taking baby-steps. Give it a little time--that can be 20 minutes or 20 days--depending how deep in your unconscious your TMS resides and how long the de-conditioning process takes. I have witnessed the pain in my hip literaly MELT away after about 20 minutes of walking. If it is impossible to walk, then try it in a pool. I have recently begun AquaJogging. You must return to activity to prevent your physical deteriotation which will create psychological issues like depression. I recetnly went through an accute depressive state that I rapidly came out of by restarting my exercise, after stopping playing tennis on doctors orders. I've played tennis with too many doctors to believe all their calls.
Good luck and just do it, starting today...or maybe tomorrow. TMS'ers are great procractinators because, conditions MUST be PERFECT, afterall.
Regards,
tt |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2006 : 12:09:47
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Hi Robbie,
TT has hit the nail on the head (as usual ;-) and he offers you some great advice.
You are correct in realizing that there is a sort-of chicken and egg problem here.
After you get cleared from your doc that you do not have a serious illness (meaning life threatening - you may have already done this), then your mind no longer has an excuse to send you this TMS pain. Remember, the pain doesnt mean anything. Even though the pain is real, it is benign, so its ok to ignore it. You must ignore it as the first step.
As far an exercise goes, TT is right that you return to normal activity. Don't think you have to do this all in a day, let it take time, days, weeks, months, just make small strides each day. TMS recovery is not an event, it is a process that takes a while to recondition your mind. Do not put yourself on some sort of time table for recovery, that will work against you.
Review the older posts and replies on this forum, there are a lot of practical suggestions on how to return back to activity.
Read Sarno's book again at least 5 more times.
Take care, -Stryder
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Edited by - Stryder on 06/16/2006 12:30:12 |
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2006 : 12:32:51
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Robbie,
Fred Amir's book Rapid Recovery From Back and Neck Pain (based on the Sarno theory, plus his own tips on a method for getting better) is great for how he outlines a gradual return to activity, talking about increasing in tiny increments of a few minutes, or a few steps. His story is also inspirational. |
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Robbie
6 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2006 : 13:45:31
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Thank you all very much! So baby steps it sounds like. I have had a lot of medical tests done and all are "normal" except my massage therapist says I have a lot of tissue abnormalities in my foot. I am wondering if this is a result of the TMS and being inactive for so long. But according to all of the medical tests, there is no traditional medical explanation for the volume of pain I have.
Are the only TMS doctors/therapists the ones listed on the website TT mentioned? or does anyone know of a TMS doctor/therapist in NC?
I really appreciate all of the responses. I will be doing a lot of reading and learning from all of you! Thanks! |
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2006 : 18:30:32
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| Tennis Tom - you are so right about TMSers being such procrastinators on returning to normal physical activities because conditions must be PERFECT.....I can't seem to get the nerve up to try running again because the last several trys have resulted in several days of intense left leg pain, and I keep telling myself I need two or more days available after the next run where I have no major work or family activities on the schedule so the possible resultant pain won't distract me so much on these important days...But guess what, it's been over a month and I haven't found those two consecutive unimportant days yet! I've just got to take the plunge soon anyway! |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2006 : 20:26:16
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Hi Fox,
What has been working for me from a physical--non-TMS perspective--is pool running. I use an AquaJogger and the footies that go with it, providing imcreased resistance. I've done 13 marathons and never had any hip problems. I did two bad moves in yoga, and--it all started. I save my cartelege for tennis.
I can't walk without holding onto the walls, after playing tennis for six hours a day every Saturday and Sunday. I'll do about 30 to 50 minutes of deep-water running and I'm good to go again.
You might want to give it a try Fox. I love running and really miss it. I do the pool running for therapy and hope that I can run again, someday, especially on the tennis court, where being one step slow, is all it takes to lose, at the tournament level.
If this doesn't work, maybe I will consider joint-replacement. My back-up plan is to take up golf. I'm 58 and maybe it's time to switch sports. In a year or two, I might change my moniker to: golfer_tom
Regards,
tt |
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New - confused about physical activity
