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bhushan
India
16 Posts |
 Posted - 01/20/2010 : 15:58:28
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It’s been a long time since I last posted on this forum. Time to type my ‘RSI’ success story has come!
I have been very busy with work, well, almost consumed with work and typing 14-16 hours a day (yes!) and sometimes working on weekends also.
Do I feel pain? None whatsoever, I type on laptop, don’t use any ergonomic aids, sit in whatever posture makes me feel relaxed (rather than the rigid sculpture like postures ‘RSI’ physicians advocate) and no pain!, I can type like others at my workplace, can match their pace and most importantly be productive at my work which gives me a lot of satisfaction.
So how did I do it?
Background
First, for those who are not aware of my ‘RSI’ background, I had ‘RSI’ problem for almost 5+ yeas with pain in fingers and occasionally wrists. I was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and almost with ‘RSD’. Please do read some posts where I had shared more details.
Outcome (what are my beliefs now)
There is NOTHING called RSI, it is TMS (mind-body syndrome). If anyone comes and says that you have ‘RSI’ just ignore it. Unless you have physically broken your fingers, muscles tendons etc there is nothing called RSI. More importantly, even if there is a physical injury it will cure with rest and medication in few weeks and not linger on and aggravate for years as it happens in case of ‘RSI’.
Process (what I did)
1. Accepting the mind-body origin of RSI
Accepting that I don’t have a physical origin of pain was the key. I took me a while to get to it though. I distinctly recall reading about TMS and Dr Sarno a year earlier. I could not believe it is possible that all my pain is due to some mind-body linkage, it sounded weird enough for me to ignore it. I spent another year valiantly doing the rounds of PT and hoping that I will get better. Another year wasted prompted me to look again at alternative solutions. I think if was the failure of all physical remedies that finally convinced that Dr Sarno might be right. So this time, I was more open and willing to accept mind-body linkage. Of course, it helped that I had tried all physical solutions and could not see a physical cause of pain. I just had so much trouble accepting the fact that while I worked through pain, my colleagues and supervisors (some with 15-20 years of working with computers) showed no sign of physical discomfort at all. All of my medical tests threw up nothing suspicious.
I read all Dr Sarno’s book. I devoured Healing back pain in one sitting and could see myself in almost all the pages. Another breakthrough was coming across this forum through HilaryN’s post on a UK based RSI group.
2. Taking time off from work
I realised that in order for my healing process to succeed I must stay away from my work place. There was just too much of work pressure and negative associations with the place that it will not allow me to apply the TMS principles. I took about two months of time off (I must say my employers were gracious and supportive to give me a that break) . I thought it will take me at least that long before I can work again, but, I came back in one month!
3. Diligently applying TMS healing process
I will not go into details of the exact process; there are already so many posts and Dr Sarno’s book. I did all that was suggested diligently. I even went to the extent of creating an excel spreadsheet where I had set daily targets of typing, mouse clicks and usage time for laptop. I tracked it for over 2 months and gave myself rewards if I accomplished my goals. I also tried to keep a note of my pain and tingling levels on daily basis. The biggest reward that I had promised to the child within me was buying an XBOX console if I get over RSI completely. As promised, I bought it after about 6 months. I play extensively with no physical discomfort now.
4. Publicly sharing and communicating my success with others
I made a conscious effort at publicly (with my family, friends and colleagues) admitting and sharing how I overcame RSI. Doing this reinforced my beliefs and made my mind stronger (preventing a recurrence of RSI type pain). The only thing lacking was conveying it to the set of people who I think have helped me most – to all of you – which I am doing now.
My struggle with RSI (TMS to be correct) pain have taught me some valuable lessons in life. Most important of them all is to never underestimate what your mind is capable of.
Finally, A big thank you to (in no particular order): Nate (http://conquerrsi.com/handout.html), HillaryN, Armchairlinguist, Rachel (http://podolsky.everybody.org/rsi/), Fred Amir, countless others on this forum for supporting me throughout and of course, to Dr Sarno.
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Gibbon
United Kingdom
138 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2010 : 13:37:59
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Congrats!
Welcome to the post-RSI club, it's great 
Check out the TMS website: www.rsi-backpain.co.uk |
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patils
72 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2010 : 23:37:07
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2. Taking time off from work
I realised that in order for my healing process to succeed I must stay away from my work place. There was just too much of work pressure and negative associations with the place that it will not allow me to apply the TMS principles. I took about two months of time off (I must say my employers were gracious and supportive to give me a that break) . I thought it will take me at least that long before I can work again, but, I came back in one month!
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Hi Bhushan,
This is something new in your success story. Our approach should be gradual and not violent one. I made this mistake once and experienced terrible pain in return.
Thanks Bhushan for sharing your success story. It will be inspiration to many other.
Keep posting.
Sachin |
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DrGUID
United Kingdom
44 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2010 : 08:39:11
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Wow, a nice success story, just like mine.
Taking time off work - that helped me as well. A weekend just isn't long enough to recover from a week in front of a computer.
Now you should read a book like "The Answer" and find out how you can use the power of your subconsious in other ways! |
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My RSI success story
