| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
seebha
8 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2010 : 12:21:47
|
I have made overall good progress with TMS, however still have some residual issues with conditioning.
For example:
I have two cars and driving one causes more pain than other.
I can now sit longer but when I put my back to the back of the chair it creates discomfort
I generally try to ignore the pain and think psychologially. If the symptoms are of increased intensity, I have to actually uncover what is bothering me or creating anxiety and then resolve it or address it to see some relief.
I would appreciate your comments or experience in breaking the conditioning cycle. |
|
|
heart a tact
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2010 : 15:21:13
|
in my experience, the only thing POSSIBLE is to remind yourself that the pain is only being triggered by psychological associations with painful memories...
I usually try to close my eyes and think of the times that such actions became associated with pain, before opening my eyes and performing the action to best of my ability, often while talking to myself.
i speak out loud if possible (if no one's around), or whispering, or under my breath, or mouthing the words silently, if the situation really demands that i 'play it cool' (ie don't look crazy!)
I talk to my subconscious as though it were a child-- "I know you're mad. I'm mad too! Going to work is tough. Putting your shoes on is no fun, especially when you're rushing out to work. I understand how upset this makes you, and I don't blame you... BUT I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU TURN THAT ANGER INTO PHYSICAL PAIN ANYMORE!" (caps are for emphasis, i don't yell or raise my voice)
sometimes it really helps. not always, but it helps to break some of my cycles.
|
 |
|
|
HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2010 : 15:52:10
|
Good on you, heart-a!
Seebha, it's great to see you're making progress. I see de-conditioning oneself as a gradual process. Perhaps the advice on this page might help, even though you're not in crippling pain:
http://tmswiki.wetpaint.com/page/How+to+ignore+crippling+pain
Hilary N |
|
|
|
seebha
8 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 10:25:34
|
Thanks for responses. I try to implement some of these suggestions.
I guess it is now coming down to taking a long term view to managing TMS. It would have been nice if Dr. Sarno books don't highlight this 2-6 week time frame. My therapist says that book cures and 6 week cures are a minority and most of us take longer.
This is important information because initally I was frustrated that why I am not getting cured in few weeks or months. And may be there is something I am doing wrong.
I am glad to say that TMS does work since it has freed me of Arm pain and numbness, knee pain, neck pain, upper back pain.
I am just left with lower back pain and discomfort in thigh.
Its funny - I was taking to Dr. Sarno last week on the phone if I should continue excercising in the gym since excercing causes pain in the thigh. He yelled at me and said go back to gym and coninue to excercise even if it cause pain. If you don't you will set yourself back. And I went two more times since last week and the thigh pain not so bad anymore.
My last target is lower back pain - Persistent nasty bugger, won't let go. I don't understand when I am lifting weights in the gym like shoulder press (this should really compress the spine), I have no pain but sitting in a chair or car with back touched to the back of chair/car will cause spot pain in lower back. F*ing Conditioning. |
|
|
|
HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 11:06:49
|
Yes, I gave up first time around when I didn't see immediate results.
Hilary N |
|
|
|
mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 17:43:47
|
quote:
Its funny - I was taking to Dr. Sarno last week on the phone if I should continue excercising in the gym since excercing causes pain in the thigh. He yelled at me and said go back to gym and coninue to excercise even if it cause pain. If you don't you will set yourself back. And I went two more times since last week and the thigh pain not so bad anymore
The same thing happened to me. Coz the doc said that I had mild osteopenia, I went to the gym to work on my bone density. Of course I had to tell my fitness instructor about my back and of course we include stuff to strengthen glutes, abs as well.
I was doing well and so we progressed to doing squats and a few more challenging things and viola the pain came on with a vengeance.
It is interesting to note that while i was doing these exercises the same old familiar 'catching' in the back back occurred. This has happened on previous occasions when i try to progress to the next stage.
Now I know many of you will say that perhaps I need to grin & bear & psychologically get over this particular level bu I also know that it is not wise to push and hurt yourself.
This is a dilemma. I do not have the benefit of a TMS doctor's diagnosis or advice to tell me to keep pushing and what with my own recent diagnosis of spondyliliothesis I am scared to push myself to further injury.
Any comments?
Good Luck & Good Health
Mala |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Breaking the conditioning pattern
