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Bento
8 Posts |
 Posted - 06/29/2010 : 23:25:45
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Hi everyone, Just discovered Sarnos's book by chance browsing online and have become very interested.
Heres my story-
At 20 years old I was at the gym doing squats and felt a really bad pain in my lower back. It went into spasm and twisted over to one side. I freaked out as I thought I had done some really serious permanent injury. I had x-rays and scans etc at the time and was given a vague diagnosis of bulging discs. The pain went away after about a week and I was back to normal. Then a few months later I cant remember what I was doing but the spasms came on again. I am now 42 and I still get these spasms 2-3 times a year. When it happens I usually begin to feel a little sore or stiff and then 1-2 days later it becomes full blown. It has been triggered by many varied activities the most memorable was a sneeze. I usually have to lay down for a day then I start moving again and take pain killers or
anti-inflammatorys. I have found over the years that the sooner I get moving the quicker it gets better. If I lay around feeling sorry for myself it takes a lot longer.
In between bouts I am as capable of everyday activities as everyone else including surfing, and other sporting activities but when the spasms come I am crippled.
I have been to many doctors, chiros and physios over the years and they all say the same thing ,bulging discs. Then they put me on a programme of stretching and pilates type exercises. I have found the pilates and stretching helpful and it seems to lessen the frequency and severity of attacks.
None of the professionals have ever explained to me why I get these attacks suddenly and then they just as suddenly go away though.
I used to read Louise Hay books a lot in the 90s and I have always believed in the body mind connection. Ive always had an inkling that something is going on emotionally with my back. My sister also has a very similar problem.
My childhood memories are unfortunately not good as my family was rather dysfunctional and so I carry a lot of emotional baggage that Im working on and Im sure I have lots of unresolved anger etc which could possibly be the cause of this back problem.
Anyway Ive ordered 'the mind/body prescription' and also another book about releasing anger etc and Im hoping that its going to be a turning point for me as nothing else has worked much.
I have a question though as something I was reading that Dr Sarno said doesn't sit right with me.
He says that in order for it to work we must completely believe in it and throw old beliefs and crutches such as back supports, orthotics etc etc But then he goes on to say that we must first get checked out by a qualified physician.
Arent these two statements a bit of a paradox?
Because If I go see a physician of course they are going to find a reason for the pain. So I dont understand the point. Besides the fact that Ive already been so many times and they all say the same thing.
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pan
United Kingdom
173 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2010 : 07:01:04
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Why the paradox? I think Sarno is correct to say that we should be checked out by our GP in the first instance as there is always the possibilty that we have a condition that is organic in nature and that requires traditional medical intervention.
I think Sarno is saying that we need to reject the physical explanation for our pain or symptoms when we are given a catch all diagnosis that often totally fails to account for what it is we are actually feeling anyway. Which ever way you look at it recovering from a somatic based illness requires a leap of faith and 100 commitment and belief. You cannot fool your subconcious and if on any level your thoughts and behaviours entertain doubt and worry that the pain or symptoms come from a first physical causallity then you do not even start on the road to recovery.
Oh yes, a wise man once said " don't go to the doctors, they diagnose things"...I do like that quote! |
Edited by - pan on 06/30/2010 07:03:59 |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2010 : 10:32:09
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It is important to get checked out by a physician to rule out any serious disease or structural problem, such as a tumor.
It is possible that there will be findings on an MRI such as bulging or herniated discs. These findings are not necessarily the cause of pain, especially if there is no acute injury or congenital defect. Dr. Sarno believes many healthy people with no symptoms will have similar findings on an MRI. The discs are the shock absorbers of the spine and they are doing their job.
Once a serious problem is ruled out, it is necessary to dismiss all structural explanations and cease all physical treatments, if you are going to commit to the TMS diagnosis. |
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Capn Spanky
112 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2010 : 11:37:00
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I can see how one might get confused by that. If you boil it down, it’s basically a CYA statement. You wouldn’t want to read Dr. Sarno’s book, assume you have TMS, and later find out it was cancer. In very rare instances, stuff like that has happened. That’s why it’s always a good idea to be checked out by a conventional doctor.
Like you, I had already been to many doctors and was not satisfied with the explanations. Finally I was ready to accept the TMS diagnosis and over time, have had amazing results.
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Bento
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2010 : 16:17:45
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Thank you for all your responses. As much as I really want my back to get better Ive always been a firm believer in questioning authority. Its not in my makeup to just blindly believe something particularly if their is no research behind it. It reminds me of certain christian denominations that say if your life isnt working then youre just not praying hard enough. It all sounds a bit cultish.
After over 20 years of doing something a certain way how does one throw all that out overnight and just believe something that one person (Sarno) says? Because after reading through the threads here and elsewhere I have noticed that many people say it has worked but many also say it hasnt.
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pan
United Kingdom
173 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2010 : 17:51:09
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Seriously, if you want to question authority a good starting point would be with some of the weird and wonderful explanations that some doctors seem to want to fob off pain disorders and symptoms with.
Whilst it may seem that Sarno is the main advocate regarding TMS it should be noted that the concept of psychosomatic illness and somatic symptoms is age old and there is plenty of literature out there that shows its full validity. Sarno is merely one voice in thousands. |
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Bento
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2010 : 22:28:09
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quote:
Originally posted by pan
Seriously, if you want to question authority a good starting point would be with some of the weird and wonderful explanations that some doctors seem to want to fob off pain disorders and symptoms with.
Whilst it may seem that Sarno is the main advocate regarding TMS it should be noted that the concept of psychosomatic illness and somatic symptoms is age old and there is plenty of literature out there that shows its full validity. Sarno is merely one voice in thousands.
I have absolutely no doubt at all when it comes to the body mind connection. In fact its obvious in a lot of ways. However I am very wary because when people are in pain and desperate they will believe anything if it offers relief and there are many charlatans out there with dollar signs in their eyes who will take advantage of that offering miracle cures etc. Im not saying Sarno is one but just that I need to research and be sure for myself.
As I said earlier its just not in my nature to believe something without question and without any real evidence except a few testimonials. Sure there are people who claim that they are healed after years of pain etc but there are also people who say it hasn't worked. If believing is all it really takes then isnt that what is known as the placebo effect? I wish there was some research behind Sarnos work because if it is really doing good for people then it sure deserves it.
Anyway I have his book in the post on its way to me so when it arrives Ill read it and make my own judgements. I hope that after reading it I feel differently and that Im ready to throw away my shoe wedge and my back support and my pilates etc etc. Ill have to wait and see. |
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ukeboy
10 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2010 : 23:16:00
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| Based on what I see, TMS seems to work for some and not for others. The only way to find out is try it yourself. |
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Capn Spanky
112 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2010 : 07:07:49
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Once you start reading Dr. Sarno’s book, things will become clearer.
Then we can initiate you into our cult. You’ll get a special tattoo, pay $25,000 to our secret society, and swear never-ending-allegiance to Dr. Sarno.
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2010 : 12:21:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Capn Spanky
Once you start reading Dr. Sarno’s book, things will become clearer.
Then we can initiate you into our cult. You’ll get a special tattoo, pay $25,000 to our secret society, and swear never-ending-allegiance to Dr. Sarno.
The tatoo says "TMS FOR LIFE", and it's put on the back of your head. Where's my cut of the 25K?
Some of my favorite excerpts from _THE DIVIDED MIND_ :
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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Edited by - tennis tom on 07/01/2010 12:22:36 |
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marjrc
Canada
19 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 17:28:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Bento
I have absolutely no doubt at all when it comes to the body mind connection. In fact its obvious in a lot of ways. However I am very wary because when people are in pain and desperate they will believe anything if it offers relief and there are many charlatans out there with dollar signs in their eyes who will take advantage of that offering miracle cures etc. Im not saying Sarno is one but just that I need to research and be sure for myself.
As I said earlier its just not in my nature to believe something without question and without any real evidence except a few testimonials. Sure there are people who claim that they are healed after years of pain etc but there are also people who say it hasn't worked. If believing is all it really takes then isnt that what is known as the placebo effect? I wish there was some research behind Sarnos work because if it is really doing good for people then it sure deserves it.
Anyway I have his book in the post on its way to me so when it arrives Ill read it and make my own judgements. I hope that after reading it I feel differently and that Im ready to throw away my shoe wedge and my back support and my pilates etc etc. Ill have to wait and see.
I am curious to see if you've read Dr. Sarno's book yet and what you think. I understand much of what you are saying as I've had those same thoughts. I am still working on this and believe TMS to be the answer to almost all my pains. My mind is still 'playing tricks' on me though and I fall back into old patterns.
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Hullo
