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marytabby
USA
545 Posts |
 Posted - 05/11/2005 : 16:40:27
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Ok, so I've been posting that I've been feeling pretty great lately, especially because I've gotten back to running with no troubles. I used to run on pavement, and for the past six months I've been running on a treadmill. Ok, here's the riddle:
The trigger activity that "put my lower back out" on Christmas was running really fast on the treadmill. I mean, I really notched up the MPH on the thing. So now 5 months later I know about TMS and I've gotten back to running for the past two weeks or so with no buttock/thigh pain which I did have a month ago. So today I decide to run outside and bang! The left buttock/thigh starts up. So then I say, ok, now let me try the treadmill, literally like minutes later, I jump on the treadmill as a test to see if it's the same. On the treadmill the pain is barely there, just a little there but not nearly as bad as when I ran outside minutes earlier. What gives?
My newbie answer is this, please tell me if you think I'm on the mark or if it's something more involved.
I think that by running outside, the TMS tried to trick me by making me think there's something physically different about running on concrete that I cannot "handle" so my brain pulled a fast one with the buttock/thigh pain. But when I went on the treadmill it did not happen as badly because it's my mind playing TMS tricks on me.
Also, you'd think that the triggering activity, which started all this in motion, the TREADMILL, would be the one that would give me trouble due to association/conditioning and the memory of the treadmill bringing on the pain in the first place, but it has not bothered me for a couple of weeks being on the treadmill, only today on concrete outside.
Anyone? I appreciate all replies.
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Edited by - marytabby on 05/11/2005 17:21:43 |
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verdammt
Canada
97 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 18:45:49
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It sounds like you've solved the mystery, but you're not completely convinced.
So here's another possibility: control (i.e. TMS perfectionism). You have total control over the indoor environment where your treadmill is set up. Outside you have none. No control over the weather, traffic, dogs, pedestrians, bad smells, gawking neighbors, or daylight hours. Not nearly as comfy as home, sweet home. |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 19:15:49
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That sounds like a brilliant self-analysis Mary. You've got a flare for this stuff it seems...I'll bet you're right on target..
You said something interesting...I've really got to reread the books 'cause I'm just showing my ignorance here, but the concept of a "triggering activity" For me, that's what makes this stuff so difficult...When it came to my back, I had no problem because I'd be doing something like reaching into my back pocket and the next thing I'd be writhing on the floor...But I must say, if I'd been lifting something heavy and I heard say, some sort of "pop," it would be much more difficult to accept the mind/body proposition...
With all my over-use injuries, there's a ready "explanation"...ith my hamstrings it was doing nautilus..with my ankle injury, it was wearing badly fitted orthotics (long story there), with my plantar fasciitis it was an increase in mileage and speed..I guess my question is, why does the mind need a triggering event? I suppose I can answer that in a way, but not fully.. and it sure makes things harder for me, fear wise... |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 19:26:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Maryalma8
...I think that by running outside, the TMS tried to trick me by making me think there's something physically different about running on concrete that I cannot "handle" so my brain pulled a fast one with the buttock/thigh pain. But when I went on the treadmill it did not happen as badly because it's my mind playing TMS tricks on me...
Yup, that's it, you got it nailed.
Just get outside and run ! Run, Mary, run.
Before I wised up to TMS, I used to get pain when I went in the shower in the morning, since that is where I would start thinking about my upcoming day at [stressful] work.
Take care, -Stryder |
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marytabby
USA
545 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 03:47:27
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| Thanks everyone, I appreciate the support. I have made progress but obvsiously I have more hurdles to cross. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 07:50:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Maryalma8
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the support. I have made progress but obvsiously I have more hurdles to cross.
It's only a matter of time. After awhile you won't even pay attention to the pain anymore. |
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Milos
Slovenia
10 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 09:35:10
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Managing the triggers, which are starting back pain due to certain conditions or positions I am entering in, is my big problem too in the process of mastering TMS. Such conditions are e.g.: the time shortly before getting up from bed in the morning, or going in the shower or taking a bath, walking a certain route and so on. In all such situations the pain become worse. So it is very hard not to expect an onset of pain »in advance«, even I am trying to think on anything different, not on pain. Do anybody know some other practical method to avoid such expectations, which are obviously a sign of »programmed« activity of the uncoscious mind ?
Milos
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 12:26:45
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| Mary - you defeated your brain's conditioning strategy relating to the treadmill. Although your brain gave up on the treadmill strategy, it must have figured that you would fall, in its place, for the hard pavement structural charade. I think it's just a clumsy, last ditch effort by your brain to retain the distraction process that it thinks is better for you than experiencing painful emotions. It's sort of like symptom substitution, but instead it's environmental trigger substitution. I think that you should keep running outside if this is what you enjoy. |
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marytabby
USA
545 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 15:57:58
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| Thanks, Fox. You're right. And today I got up and swept myself off and tried again. What do you know? Today was only about 1/3 as bad as yesterday. I actually did my full 4 laps around my complex instead 1 lap, which was all I could go yesterday and then I resorted to the treadmill. Granted, I did some walking too today, but nonetheless, I did my full four laps (about 2 miles). It's 50% better than how far I got yesterday. Funny how the brain keeps trying and trying and trying. It's like a liar who keeps thinking if they make up enough crazy stories, they'll all believe the lies, but really everyone knows how foolish the liar is and sees right through them. Same concept. |
Edited by - marytabby on 05/12/2005 15:58:53 |
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 15:35:41
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| Mary -- Congratulations! You've got TMS on the run. If it was a true structural/environmental interplay problem, then your pain response today should have been similar to the pain response yesterday, and instead the pain was much less even though the distance was greater. I bet that soon there will be no pain. |
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marytabby
USA
545 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 05:52:17
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Fox,
Yes, that is what it is for sure. This morning I went for a run and no pain in the buttock at all. Instead, this sudden pain came on in my back/rib cage area that's never happened before. I knew EXACTLY what it was and promptly got rid of it! |
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Can anyone help me on this one?
