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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2012 : 16:39:28
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So there it was Day 5 of the Wiki Educational program, the sentence: “Tell yourself aloud right now "I have TMS." Begin to truly believe in the diagnosis. Remember, this is the work that will help you get better.
At that moment I started thinking about my X-rays, and the website that shows my condition, reverse curvature of the neck structure, caused by pulling muscles: http://themendingpath.wordpress.com/ third page down. This chiropractor shows the corrective results of his treatment, very impressively. I tried to get more information from my GP and a physiotherapist, who both played down my condition to a relatively mild muscle spasm. I have had this spasm and neck troubles for over 20 years. I know its TMS, but could it be ½ TMS and ½ physical deformities?
I have a skeptical untrusting attitude over this issue, could it be ½ physical? I fit the TMS profile and have 1/3 childhood, 1/3 current stressors and minor personality issues. I am fortunate also to have had previous success in the year 2000, so much so that I will be contributing to Dr. Sarno’s retirement project, so I am a believer.
My crooked neck deformity has only been revealed to me recently this February, and I would like to think that it will one day straighten out. Is this a pipe dream? Has anyone had similar neck problems and feelings like this?
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Now on Day 5 Wiki Edu.
Charlie horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted soon.) |
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Back2-It
USA
438 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2012 : 19:02:17
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quote:
Originally posted by andy64tms
At that moment I started thinking about my X-rays, and the website that shows my condition, reverse curvature of the neck structure, caused by pulling muscles: I have had this spasm and neck troubles for over 20 years. I know its TMS, but could it be ½ TMS and ½ physical deformities?...
...I have a skeptical untrusting attitude over this issue, could it be ½ physical? ...
...My crooked neck deformity has only been revealed to me recently this February, and I would like to think that it will one day straighten out. Is this a pipe dream? Has anyone had similar neck problems and feelings like this?...
Ever look into Thomas Hanna's "Somatics"? He very clearly describes how muscles can pull the spine this way and that, depending on the type of "reflex" you are reacting to. It's all quite involuntary, but his supposition is that muscles will, indeed, pull, pull enough to cause bulging and herniated discs and scoliosis. And... that sometimes it takes a certain amount of cumulative stress and anxiety to break not the camel's back, but yours.
His thing is to go through a series of "movements", not exercises, so you can feel individual muscles again and form a new and improved "loop" of information with your conscious brain, which can, in time, override the unconscious.
To me it makes sense, as we sometimes guard and brace and hold ourselves in a certain way and are not even conscious of it. as it is all part of the "fight or flight" reaction of our body. For some, it is not quite kosher, in that attention is paid to the body, but you can skim some and decide for yourself. I know it helped me feel individual muscles in my back and side that had become solid blocks of paincicles.
You can do a search here for those who have used Hanna, too.
Good luck!
"Bridges Freeze Before Roads" |
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mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2012 : 19:59:22
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Andy the reverse curvature of yr neck is obviously bothering you a lot or at least the diagnosis of it is. I used to have neck pain about 20 yrs ago & the diagnosis was straightening of curvature . Apparently we are all supposed to have a slight forward curvature in our necks. At that time I was sent to have physiotherapy. During one session when I told him I wasn't getting better he actually said this to me. " mala I saw you sitting in the waiting room earlier on and your arms were crossed tightly over yr chest & your posture was strained. If u haven' started feeling better then you may want to look at psychological issues" I pooh pooh his statement at the time but I think back now to what he said and realize how astute he was , he was way ahead of his time. If only I had the wisdom then to listen to him.
Anyway fast forward a few years and I start having back pain. Diagnosis was too much curvature in lower back. Maybe it is due to the fact I've always worn very high heels. Anyway nocebo kicks in and I start having lots of negative thought. Over the years I have been to many many many drs and some said the curvature was a problem and aome said that most women had this and not to worry. Utter confusion
Recently back is ok & neck is starting up again. I was in hospital with bad stomach flu & my dr said the best upper spine surgeon works from there sp I had a check up. Charming most happy laid back dr ever. Took X-rays and said I had slight reversal of C. Said it wasn't serious and I should have a couple sessions of acupuncture. Just that muscles were tight.
In tms muscles are tight primarily coz of fear, tension ,anxiety. If you have had this for years no wonder you hurt. I suggest you try continuing with the tms wiki program, believe you have tms and at the same time do try to make herself comfortable. The pain is real so says sarno. Take a pain killer, uses patch , hot water bottle. When the muscles start releasing & you feel more comfy you will find that doing the program is easier. Set yrself a time and atarget in terms of reduction of pain. If you are not getting anyy relief & yr belief is that the pain is physical then you can think about what next.
Hope my story helps.
Good Luck & Good Health
Mala |
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2012 : 17:06:36
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Back2-it
Thank for taking the time to respond. I first heard about muscle memory when windsurfing, and did not pay too much attention to it at first. You see in Windsurfing there is a maneuver called jibing (turning around at the end of the run). This jibe takes about twelve steps, and you cannot think about them, it is too quick of a maneuver. So what you have to do is focus on the first step or two until they become natural, then move on. It took me many years to get this right.
Your email revealed to me that I have 20 years of accumulated memory in my neck muscles, and the word “involuntary” was also used by my doctor. Indeed I have one particular neck spasm that is chronically hard, and I believe that all the other muscles are “acting in sympathy, joining in the party as it were”, against my daily stress. The muscles have become very "trained". I have this tight neck, possibly due to many years my sitting at computers as a designer, this was only offset by small amounts of exercise.
When visiting Thomas Hanna’s website my neck somehow became less important of an issue. I see it in others, and I have the power to control it. I will definitely try some of the exercises, and incorporate them into my Yoga routine, although they are somewhat opposite in nature to Yoga, so I will have to focus. I am hopeful that this will improve my jibes as well, as windsurfing is my passion.
Thanks Andy
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Now on Day 5 Wiki Edu.
Charlie horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted soon.) |
Edited by - andy64tms on 03/14/2012 17:08:04 |
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2012 : 17:14:10
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Hi Mala,
Thank for your reply. You are the first person that I have come across with similar neck issues to me, and it was very comforting. My neck was first described to me as “straightening of the curvature” in 1994, and more recently as “reversal of the curvature”. So it has got worse since then.
I recently went for physiotherapy, and ended up being very disappointed. The well meaning therapist was full of his own sense of purpose, and was not very informative. He said I had a very tight neck- tell me something new! Any way I cancelled all future visits and came to this forum instead.
My problem is tension, 20 years of it, in addition to childhood issues. The last three years have been really awful. I’ve had to deal with auto accidents, burst appendix, my mother’s death, and her probate issues that were in a real mess. The list goes on and on. The final revelation was three of my colleagues dying last year, one of them at work! So for this reason when I got laid off last May, I said; “That’s it I am now retired”.
I have since then been able to work for myself and wife, focusing on our personal business full time. Along with this extra time we have been able to look at our health and exercise seriously. We do something each day for our comfort and well being and stress free life. That is why I am on this forum getting help from people like you. I’m doing the Wiki Education program very slowly, as well as reading “Unlearn Your Pain”. It all helps.
Thank you Mala for writing.
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Now on Day 5 Wiki Edu.
Charlie horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted soon.) |
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mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2012 : 23:01:24
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Andy I'm sure that there are many people out there with R of C in their necks who don't have any symptoms so having this structural diagnosis does not mean that your pain is a direct result of it. There may be just some simple muscle tightness which has intensified over time becoz of the anxiety & fear you are harboring.
Your body has now become what your mind dictates It to be. After all the body can only respond to what is happening in the 'now'. The fear & anxiety manifests itself in the body & keeps it in a constant state of tension. The more fear & anxiety you feel, the more your body tenses up till it forgets what it was like to be healthy and pain free.
Fortunately the body wants to heal, has a predisposition to heal & will heal given half a chance. So you must start sending signals to your body that will help it to recover. Think positive, think psychological , do meditation to relax. Do anything to take your mind off the pain but most of all find something that will reduce the fear, tension & anxiety in yr mind. That in turn will help the body.
Good Luck & Good Health
Mala |
Edited by - mala on 03/15/2012 00:04:34 |
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2012 : 17:32:02
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Thank you Mala,
Yes I agree other people out there do have crooked necks. The other day I was watching a program on Big Wave Surfing at Maverick Beach in northern California. There was a rugged, manly surfer talking while leaning against a post. My wife said look at his crooked neck its worse than yours. I suddenly felt more manly and very happy at this. Funny how the mind thinks!
Since your reply and Darko’s I am more knowledgeable, and it’s becoming less of an issue. I must admit though I did go to your website to see if you had a crooked neck. You look very charming and happy.
My neck has taken 20+ years to be where it is today. Even though my current daily stress is almost zero due to being retired, I still find myself tightening up during the day, this is quite involuntary. Yoga helps a little but stiffness always returns. The last few days I've been pounding my neck with Yoga stretches to see what happens, it has become looser and I have wider range of movement.
So I’ve been looking into Back2-It’s suggestion of Thomas Hanna’s Somatics. The theory makes sense to me and I am open to new ideas. I have ordered two DVDs from Martha Peterson who teaches this subject. I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks Andy
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Now on Day 5 Wiki Edu.
Charlie horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted soon.) |
Edited by - andy64tms on 03/15/2012 17:32:22 |
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Charlie Horse Doubt
