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WordButterfly
6 Posts |
 Posted - 03/25/2012 : 13:46:10
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| So, I'm just learning about TMS and have seen improvements in the past week since reading the book, this forum and journaling. It's been amazing and I'm committed to following this path that I'm on. I am kind of regretting sharing so much with my coworkers in the past few weeks as I was dealing with back and wrist pain the conventional way. Answering questions about my sypmtoms and treatment and giving them updates on the pain when they asked. I realize in hind sight that they were reinforcing the pain condition. Especially my boss who had back pain and went through physical therapy and now swears by her chiropractor (who she sees quite frequently). I'm going back to work tomorrow and I don't feel comfortable sharing all that I've been learning just quite yet. I'm not ashamed, it's more of knowing the audience and how much they reinforce that conventional mindset. Has anyone had similar concerns when they were just starting out? Are there some people you just don't share this with until you have some time under your belt? Right now I'm thinking that less is more and I will just say that I'm feeling better and thank them for asking and hope they don't ask anything else (i.e. like "How's physical therapy? Do your wrists/back still hurt?") |
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andy64tms
USA
589 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 14:25:23
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Welcome WordButterfly,
Not everyone is as open as you are about to become!
I would be very guarded about who to tell. Some people will give you encouragement others will be more critical. This is life; other people have influence over you and can cause you to be confused.
Like myself, you are one of the lucky ones to have found this forum to help you, and there is much wisdom in every post.
At first, I was very reserved about what I wrote here, but I have become more open about my past since joining, even about my bout with alcohol, another mind-body condition that is very relevent to my TMS. This subject is considered taboo in the outside world.
Good Luck
Andy
Past TMS Experience in 2000, with success.
Now on Day 10 Wiki Edu.
Charlie horse on neck for 20 years. (to be evicted soon.)
Books: Healing Back Pain
& Unlearn your Pain |
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lynnl
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 15:09:03
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I think you've chosen a wise course, Butterfly.
There's little, if anything, to be gained by discussing it with people who, for the most part, will not accept this concept, and will only offer endless anecdotes and tales of how they know someone who licked the pain by hanging upside down or some such. That's especially so now, during your early phases of taking control of your TMS.
Lynn |
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WordButterfly
6 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 20:59:27
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| Thanks Andy and Lynn for your support. I will see how it goes! |
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jaya
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 05:06:27
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| dont even attempt to share it with others-they will only give you doubts and slow your recovery. ive found that the more people i share it with, they just "dismiss" me as crazy. youll find that only about 1 in 5000 people even believe that mindbody medicine even exists-everybody on this forum knows it does. thats all that matters, if you are doing good roll with it-let dr. sarno do the "sharing" you do the recovering. |
Edited by - jaya on 03/26/2012 05:06:53 |
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 07:03:40
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| Don't share with anyone except your wife or husband or partner. If you must share, because you really want to help a relative, friend, or close co-worker whom you think must be a TMSer, just tell them they may want to read your favorite Sarno book - tell them that it really helped you - give no details - email them the link to buy on Amazon.com - tell them that you are not going to mention it again or answer any questions - tell them if they have questions to bring the questions to this forum. Realize that most people you tell about Sarno having helped you are going to think you are completely nuts and the more you say about it, the nuttier they are going to think you are. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 07:55:16
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I find most people are not at all interested. They are so brainwashed by the medical/industrial system's explanations for the causes of pain they can't fathom the psychosomatic approach. When you first learn about TMS it's natural to want to share it and proselytize. If one is really open minded to finding a "cure" for their affliction, they will pay attention to anything. When people pay no attention to the TMS answer it just reiterates to me that they need their pain/condition for a protective defense mechanism.
They are open to discussing common medical, alternative medicine or off-the-shelf snake-oil answers to pain, but the psychosomatic approach they ignore and are in denial of. I see so much TMS out there, TMS being a part of the human condition, I'd be constantly proselytizing and there wouldn't be much time for tennis. If someone in the hot-tub complains about their back, I may recommend "this book that helped me", or if they show some interest (which is seldom) I'll go into further detail. I realize their affliction is also their protection so why would I want to rob them of it, unless they truly had the desire to "heal".
By mentioning TMS and not being concerned with whether they reject or accept it, reaffirms my confidence in my own belief. Others can take it or leave it, that's their choice. I recently encountered a writer who was "recovering" from back-pain and was writing an expose about the pain industry. She had either interviewed or knew of Dr. Sarno. My ears perked up thinking I'd met a kindred spirit who I could have a meaningful discussion with about TMS. Her only comment was how he was getting old before she exited--and that was about it.
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Edited by - tennis tom on 03/26/2012 10:04:44 |
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WordButterfly
6 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 16:54:12
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| Thanks jaya, Fox and Tennis Tom! After one day done at work, I definitely see the benefit in keeping this to myself for now. I'm even beginning to question my sharing it with my mother. We have a really close relationship and I told her about the book and she ordered it. She has yet to read it though. She is mostly supportive, but I am way more open to these kinds of things than she is and every now and then she says stuff that makes me want to just keep my mouth shut, continue the work I've been doing down this path and let my life speak for itself. I am so grateful for this forum. Right now it's my only support. |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 10:25:26
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If people ask, just tell them your have a muscle problem and your are being treated for it. Its short, sweet, and 100% true.
Take care, -Stryder |
Edited by - Stryder on 03/27/2012 20:23:46 |
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Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 19:40:48
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Yeah, I have crashed and burned trying to help people. Only those who specifically ask me for help have received the information.
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
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MainEventMike
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 19:51:28
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I haven't said anything to co-workers about it but, I have told close friends and family(especially the ones with back problems which includes just about everyone).
My brother's father-in-law has severe back problems and he's had unsuccessful surgery. I mentioned the Sarno book to him the other day. He said, "It's just something I have to live with." I Just said, "Yeah, I'm sorry."
I just sent him an email and here's what I said: "Healing Back Pain by Dr. Sarno has given me much relief from my back pain. I've suffered for years and tried many different treatments and remedies. This book is a different direction but, thousands of people have been helped from reading and applying these methods including me.
Keep an open mind about the book. I hope you'll decide to get the book and read it. Maybe it's the answer for you and maybe not but, it definitely can't hurt.
I found some reviews of this book on Amazon. Here are some reviews I found below that may be more applicable to you. All of these are from people who had surgery and were still suffering. Also, here's a link to the book and the reviews."
I don't know if he'll get the book. At least I tried.
http://tensionmyositissyndrome.blogspot.com/ |
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Sam908
70 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2012 : 15:58:30
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The friend who gave me "The Divided Mind" did so because he claimed that his back pain was structural and that Sarno's teachings didn't apply to him, but that perhaps the book would help me. A few years ago, my sister gave me a copy of "Healing Back Pain," because only major back surgery would help her. She had the surgery and...you know the rest.
Go figure! |
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Busted
73 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2012 : 21:18:54
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| This is an interesting topic. I can't tell you how many friends I have tried to convince to just read Sarno's book. One friend had rotator cuff surgery, another is about to have hip replacement. There's only so many times I can try to convince someone. It's hard to watch my friends go through pain and surgery when I know the answer. My friends husband was just in a car accident last night, felt fine yesterday and today is in the emergency room for his back. Now, we all KNOW that if his back was truly injured he would have been in excruciating pain at the time of impact. This pain showing up the next day is just TMS using the car accident as a trigger. Not to mention that he has been unemployed for some time, and has a wife and kids to support (stress). I know someone just in a car accident is never going to believe his pain is actually from his unconscious rage...so I figured I'll just keep quiet for now. |
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Telling others about TMS when just starting out?
