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richardadams39
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
 Posted - 12/19/2008 : 06:40:27
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Hi all,
Having suffered from back and neck pain for about a year, I was diagnosed with TMS about 6 weeks ago and went on a programme with Dr Mark Atkinson in Surrey, England. It has been unsuccessful. I find it hard to connect with my emotional side because I cannot stop thinking about my pain. How can I? It is constant and hugely aggrevating. So the doctor told me to go and see an EFT practitoner, which I did. After a couple of rounds of EFT, he decided it wasn't working for me as I was unable to notice any difference. So he decided he would try to alleviate my pain physically and then we could go back to emotional work. He tried an InterX (biofeedback) machine and deep massage. He said that I have a question-mark shaped body and that my posture is putting extra pressure on my muscles. Since the pain had not be in the slightest bit relieved, the following day I asked him what he thought I should do next - he suggested some homepathic pills (Kali Carb 6C) and that I should seek an Anderson Technique practitioner. He also gave me the number of a highly experienced biofeedback therapist.
I am so confused now, I don't know what to do. I have ordered the pills (what harm can it do?), but am not sure whether to:
- Seek Anderson Technique practitioner
- Call the biofeedback specialist
- Find another EFT practitioner
I wondered if anyone else had been in a similar boat before and if anyone could lend me any words of wisdom or comfort.
Cheers. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 07:32:15
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You say that you accept the TMS diagnosis, yet you describe multiple physical treatments you have tried. You must realize this is totally contradictory to TMS recovery.
By seeking relief of symptoms via biofeedback, deep massage, and other physical techniques you are undermining the recovery process.
Your list of "what to do next" consists entirely of physical treatments. How is this consistent with TMS?
I suggest you re-read Dr. Sarno's book and focus carefully on the treatment section. If you do not treat TMS as a psychological condition and stop all physical treatments then you might as well forget about TMS and take a different path. |
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richardadams39
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 09:00:43
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I did totally accept it but then the EFT practitioner I saw told me all these other possible causes for my pain - this is why I have posted on the forum.
If I completely dispute what he has said, what was the point of seeing him? If I don't trust what he has said?
Nothing was working for me, which is why I went to see him - as advised by my TMS doctor. do you think I should seek another EFT practitioner and tell him only to focus on EFT? |
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RageSootheRatio
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 10:42:01
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Did your program with Dr Atkinson include a recommendation for psychotherapy if you were not seeing progress with his initial suggestions for working with the TMS (ie journaling, etc.)? From Dr Sarno's books, I understand he refers out to specific therapists who know how to work with TMS patients, especially for those who "find it hard to connect with their emotional sides" and I have never heard of him suggesting EFT.
You might find some benefit in listening to the mp3s regarding TMS and psychotherapy:
http://www.smi-mindbodyresearch.org/podcasts.htm
Have you read Dr Sarno's books yourself (esp the treatment sections)? |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 12:05:53
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quote:
Originally posted by richardadams39
I did totally accept it but then the EFT practitioner I saw told me all these other possible causes for my pain - this is why I have posted on the forum.
If I completely dispute what he has said, what was the point of seeing him? If I don't trust what he has said?
Nothing was working for me, which is why I went to see him - as advised by my TMS doctor. do you think I should seek another EFT practitioner and tell him only to focus on EFT?
I do not understand why you sought an EFT practitioner in the first place. What does that have to do with TMS? |
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tcherie
72 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 15:49:37
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I find that when I have moments of doubt I have to read things that are positive that reinvigorate my hope. You probably should read the success stories on this forum, and some of the situations that some individuals had to deal with before they found relief. What I noticed is that the majority of individuals did not feel better in a short period of time. Some individuals had moments of confusion with the therapy. It may have taken months for some individuals to feel resolution, but they did.
Dave is right, if you default back to other treatments (that are not working - which is a good sign of TMS) then you do not fully accept the theory, and do not accept that your pain is solely due to it.
While I still try to eat a good diet and exercise, I have finally decided to not see any more doctors about my back issues and live a normal life, as possible. Its kind of freeing mentally. I do find that continually going to doctors especially when you are not seeing any improvement does cause one to focus more on the pain and not quite on living. |
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2008 : 20:12:15
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You should speak to Dr. Atkinson and tell him that a practitioner he sent you to is recommending physical treatments that are contradictory to TMS. Perhaps he is not aware that this practitioner does this.
You should not see the EFT practitioner for anything else -- EFT is of doubtful validity, and if it isn't helping you it probably isn't worth pursuing -- and the practitioner is clearly not what you need.
quote:
I find it hard to connect with my emotional side because I cannot stop thinking about my pain. How can I? It is constant and hugely aggrevating.
This is why you haven't recovered. No one said stopping thinking about the pain was EASY. It is not easy. But it is simple -- that's what you have to do. When you find yourself "thinking physical", think psychological (emotions, Sarno principles), or think about something else pertaining to your life. Commit to treating your pain as TMS, both physically and mentally. It may take more than 6 weeks to see progress; people vary widely, and pressuring yourself to do it immediately (calendar phenomenon) does not help. You have the rest of your life to be pain-free; taking a little longer to get there isn't such a big deal in the long run.
--
What were you expecting? |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 06:26:09
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What on earth is Anderson Technique? Sounds gruesome.
If you want to go with Sarno then I'd advise you to spend your money on psychotherapy. As others have said many people (myself included) take much longer than 6 weeks to show any sign of improvement.
Ask Dr Atkinson if he has any recommendation for a psychotherapist. If not, have a look around yourself. Make sure you find one who believes in the mindbody connection - not just in a vague way, but who actually believes that physical conditions can be caused by repressed emotions. Lend them your copy of Sarno's book if necessary.
You may have to hunt around, because it also needs to be someone you can relate to, and that you feel safe confiding in.
It would be good if we could build up a network of psychotherapists here in the U.K. We have 2 TMS practitioners, which is a good start. Now we need psychotherapists.
Hilary N |
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pandamonium
United Kingdom
202 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 07:54:12
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It sounds to me as if you don't fully believe you have TMS, the EFT therapist has undermined Dr Atkinson's diagnosis but that doesn't mean he is right.
Looking into other physical therapies is not going to help you get better Richard, it's doing the emotional work that will eventually help you get better.
Has Dr Atkinson not suggested any psychotherapy? I think I would go down that route.
Have you read Healing Back Pain, I re-read that over and over in the first few weeks and still read some passages when I feel the pain about to come on.
Do pain killers work for you? If so I'd take those (to give you a break) whilst doing the psychotherapy. |
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Still not progressing - what now?
