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Any discussion of anything related to TMS is welcome here!
General Discussion
Any discussion of anything related to TMS is welcome here!
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| Anonymous | Explaining TMS to friends and family | 8 | Jul 4 2009, 12:14 PM EDT by Anonymous | ||||
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Thread started: May 18 2009, 5:49 PM EDT
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I keep encountering friends and family whom I'm convinced are exhibiting symptoms that are "classic TMS". Most of my efforts to explain the subject are generally met with lots of eye-rolling. Is there a "best" way to try and help these people?
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| Mindfulness | Stumbling Over "Listening" to Pain | 10 | Jun 30 2009, 10:21 AM EDT by flutterby2 | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 22 2009, 2:31 PM EDT
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So, this is related to an earlier thread, but I am still unclear--and others' perspectives are just so helpful.
Something that is really stumping me is the daily reminders. There seems something presumptuous about talking to our brain, saying that we don't need the signal of pain, that we know what is going on. I, for one, do not know what is going on, even if I accept (which I do) the emotional basis. The pain is there for a reason, and until I am clear about what it is telling me (specifically, that is), shouldn't it stay? Also, for me, it comes up most intensely while I practice and teach yoga, my passion. I can't help but think that since the pain is there, some part of me is saying stop practicing. And I have to admit, I am attached to my practice--attached to my "yoga body" and "yoga mind", though lately the latter is not present and very confused. I used TMS for many pain over the years with success but have had 3 years of intense back pain without much (or at least sustained) relief. I think part of my problem is stumbling over the presumption that we "know" what is going on--clearly, I don't and the pain is there for a reason, so I just can't tell it to "go" with conviction. Can anyone relate to this quandary? I just started the PP thanks to the inspiring information on that link, and I trust that will help, but in the meantime, my mind (even within the TMS paradigm) is convincing me that there is something wrong with my emotional relationship to my practice and that therefore I should stop--why else would it keep coming back despite my faith in the TMS diagnosis?
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Keyword tags:
affirmations
listening
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| HilaryN123 | I love that book! | 0 | Jun 28 2009, 5:05 AM EDT by HilaryN123 | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 28 2009, 5:05 AM EDT
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... It's such a funny book and I remember this excerpt vividly! More here:
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4886 |
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| Anonymous | AARP | 3 | Jun 25 2009, 10:47 PM EDT by ForestForTreesTMS | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 24 2009, 9:34 PM EDT
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I just read an article in the latest issue of AARP magazine entitled, "Stop Back Pain Now. New Therapies that could change your Life." I must say I am very disappointed that Dr. Sarno's name was not mentioned and that only physical modalities were cited. I don't know where this writer looked for research articles but it couldn't have been on the web because TMS treatment would certainly have popped up. So, now I will have to write another article myself and send it in to the magazine. I wonder if they would print it and when do I have time?????
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| flutterby2 | Should my daughter try physiotherapy first? | 5 | Jun 23 2009, 5:54 AM EDT by flutterby2 | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 18 2009, 11:22 AM EDT
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One of my daughters, who is 35 and living in Sweden, is suffering from low back pain and thinking of asking her doctor to prescribe physiotherapy. As I am benefiting from following the Sarno approach for my backpain/sciatica, I have discussed this with her. She isn't averse to the idea of a Mind/Body connection but says that she is sure that her pain stems from lifting her youngest son, who is now quite a weight at nearly one year old and her somewhat slack tummy muscles. She has five VERY lively children (11, 9, 6, 3 and 1) and lives in a small first floor flat with the washing machine in the basement, so she does a lot of carrying - of children, shopping, washing etc! Like me she is quite tall and a little bit 'droopy' in posture, which I don't think is helped by the fact that she is constantly looking downwards to 'put out fires' amongst her little ones! She gets very little time to herself and I think is obviously quite chronically tense. She also seems to suffer from a lot of sore throats, just as I did when I was her age - until a GP threatened to take my tonsils out next time! I had previously noticed that amongst my large family of siblings, those of us who had 3 children or more had back problems while the others didn't and this seemed to be a pattern amongst women I got to know when I was involved in a back pain self-help group.
So, it seems likely there are physical reasons for my daughter's back pain - but also some pointers to TMS! I doubt whether she will be able to find a TMS doctor in Sweden so I'm wondering whether someone is able to advise us. BTW she says her current pain is less severe than when she was expecting her fourth baby but it is making her miserable nonetheless as she dreads taking the children out because of all the lifting, fitting into car seats etc involved.
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| Anonymous | Exercised induced TMS | 3 | Jun 22 2009, 4:55 PM EDT by Peghanson | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 20 2009, 10:01 PM EDT
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Is there such a thing as exercised induced TMS. If I don't do anything for a couple of weeks I have no symptoms of back pain and sciatica . However, whenever I start to do anything my symptoms flare up and I get frustrated because I want to be active, but I'm afraid that I am doing more damage to my back by exercising. I should let you know that I have been previously diagnosed with a slightly bulging disc at L5-S1 which "may or may not be causing my symptoms" Any help is much appreciated.
Sean Curran
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| Anonymous | Anger begets anger, right? | 7 | Jun 19 2009, 3:37 PM EDT by Anonymous | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 6 2009, 3:27 PM EDT
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In 2003 I was diagnosed with TMS by Sarno for ankle pain. Within 24 hours I ran 6 miles without pain. Months later the knee pain arrived but eventually dissipated after several months. Three years ago the back pain started. Textbook, I thought, almost cliché. I "argued" with it. No luck. Still here; and for the most part I do my activities: running, swimming, yoga. I even, despite crazy pain, do backbends. The pain sometimes swaps sides and often ranges in severity, but is always there (though there was one week a year when it disappeared). My doc who introduced the whole Sarno concept says it shouldn't be this hard, and I agree: as I was wholly confident in the diagnosis and it still didn't go. Now he wants to administer prolotherapy to resolve what must be loose ligaments .
Where I struggle most with the Sarno method is what I perceive to be a faulty approach to a pristine premise. Absolutely, there are no clear lines between our mind and body; our body and mind are indivisible and it is perfectly appropriate that emotions trigger physical responses, just as physical sensations stir emotional reactions. I find fault with the idea that we “argue” with our brain; if our brain is our body, our body our brain, why are we fostering a dichotomy that doesn't exist? For me, the symptoms seem to subside (but do not go away) when I just let them be. When I trust my health and strength. When I get angry at my brain, the pain increases. Anger, after all, begets anger. Right? In the spirit of mindfulness, I think it all boils down to acceptance, even of the mental wrangling about trying to “figure it all out”—which I know I shouldn’t do, but, as a human, my brain just does. It is not the pain that matters or what I am doing; it is all about acceptance, including the acceptance of the fear and anxiety so entrenched around pain and activities. Any comments, suggestions, different ways of looking at this?
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| Anonymous | Therapy for TMS-based RSI | 3 | Jun 12 2009, 6:51 AM EDT by Peghanson | ||||
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Thread started: May 26 2009, 5:02 PM EDT
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I have been suffering from RSI for three years now, with pain in the upper back, shoulders, arms and wrists. Standard (and alternative) treatments including physical therapy, massage and Feldenkrais have been of little benefit. I was pointed to Dr. Sarno's work (Mindbody prescription) a week ago, and am convinced I have TMS. I fit the profile and pattern, and it is the only logical explanation I have ever seen. I have seen some benefit by trying to use the approach, but I feel that to go further I need psychotherapy. I was wondering if you could recommend a psychotherapist in the San Diego area who understands TMS. The ones I have tried so far do not know about it, and also do not work towards uncovering repressed anger or emotions. Alternatively (or alongside) I'd be interested in any pointers regarding how to actually treat TMS. Should I just go ahead and start typing and ignore the pain?
Thanks for any help.
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Keyword tags:
Mindbody Prescription
RSI
Schubiner
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| biba63 | fearful of getting really hurt | 1 | Jun 8 2009, 8:09 PM EDT by Peghanson | ||||
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Thread started: May 18 2009, 4:49 PM EDT
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I think I have TMS because I am described perfectly in Sarno’s books, have gone through much stress with my new career in last two years and also in my personal life. I experienced excruciating tailbone and buttock spasms along with sciatica in both legs. It started while doing a seated forward-bend yoga stretch one morning before work….and my life screeched to a full stop. Was diagnosed with a bulged disc in L4/L5 and have been off work for 7 months…slowly recovering at home. Discovered the Sarno books etc in January, but only recently started doing the emotional “work” seriously in April when I found the TMS forum and have noticed some physical improvement and it has been wonderful for reducing my fear and anxiety.
However, I can’t stop remembering that I have been warned by doctors and physical therapists not to use my body “normally” anymore. I was told by my MD that it was possible to return to my physically active job soon but that I would have to “move” differently from now on, and be very “careful” of body placement. He stated that “second” injuries are impossible to recover from. I know that TMS recovery focuses on the mind and not on the structural, but how do I KNOW if it’s safe for me to bend at the waist, touch my toes (like I used to) twist, and lift? How do I know that it's not "time" healing me structurally versus doing the "emotional" work? I would hate to “reinjure” myself and prove my MD right.
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Keyword tags:
bulged disc
Sarno
Schubiner
sciatica
yoga
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| HasannaFletcher | hiatal hernia | 6 | Jun 7 2009, 10:40 AM EDT by HasannaFletcher | ||||
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Thread started: May 15 2009, 10:09 PM EDT
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Has anyone cured hiatal hernia with TMS?
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| Anonymous | Is 'fibrous scarring around the nerve roots' likely to cause pain? | 4 | Jun 6 2009, 6:23 AM EDT by GeorgieO | ||||
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Thread started: May 21 2009, 8:42 AM EDT
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I had a laminectomy (L5) in 1984 and it improved things greatly for me as I no longer had pain from walking. However, I continue to have quite a lot of pain in my low back, piriformis and leg/foot. An MRI in 1991 showed that I had 'fibrous scarring around the nerve roots' and I was offered an epidural, which I declined. I am 99.9% convinced that I have TMS in that I have had occasional completely pain-free periods but I'm having a tough time getting rid of all the pain even though I'm doing all the journaling, talking to my brain etc. I just wondered whether some of it could have a 'physical' cause in view of the 'fibrous scarring'?
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Keyword tags:
fibrous scarring
Georgie
journaling
nerve roots
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| Anonymous | TMS equivalents | 2 | Jun 3 2009, 6:54 PM EDT by Peghanson | ||||
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Thread started: Jun 2 2009, 8:35 PM EDT
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Does anyone know if restless legs syndrome is a TMS equivalent?
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| BarbaraLCSWC | Can a client go to a therapist who uses CBT? | 1 | May 18 2009, 11:32 AM EDT by HilaryN123 | ||||
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Thread started: May 17 2009, 12:59 PM EDT
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I believe in using an eclectic approach. I draw from systems theory, CBT, Relational, and psychodynamic. Although TMS is rooted in the subconscious, changing a client's way of thinking about the pain is essential. Arming them with the knowledge that the pain (or TMS equivalent) is not being caused by a bulging disc or something physical is Dr. Sarno advocates. He also uses behavioral when he states that conditioning can be the cause. If we once had pain when we sat too long, the next time we sit, we may get the pain. Using extinction or systematic desensitization can help get clients over their fear. Also, teaching problem solving skills or assertiveness may help someone who is in an unhealthy relationship stop repressing anger or resentment. This isn't to say that their unconscious anger is not causing the pain, rather that if they dealt with the relationship, they would not have reason to repress. If someone is in a job they hate but they believe they have no way out (family to support, current economic issues) they may repress anger and resentment and experience pain. CBT would use problem solving to explore options such as changing jobs or changing the way they perceive the current one.
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| Anonymous | Spelling | 2 | May 18 2009, 11:11 AM EDT by HilaryN123 | ||||
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Thread started: May 17 2009, 9:06 PM EDT
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Its spelled Spondylolisthesis.
Best, MK
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| HilaryN123 | CBT | 2 | May 6 2009, 5:32 PM EDT by HilaryN123 | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 27 2009, 5:20 PM EDT
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Can a person with TMS go to a therapist who uses CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)?
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Keyword tags:
CBT
Cognitive behavioural therapy
therapist
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| DrNord | Dr Sarnos Treatment plan | 2 | Apr 18 2009, 7:37 AM EDT by Peghanson | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 16 2009, 11:50 PM EDT
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Sorry got long winded like forest.
Treatment starts with a correct diagnosis. Major Key. #1 A detailed History LISTENING to the patient ( most doctors will interrupt you the patient within 15 seconds, watch for yourself next time in). A detailed social history including family upbringing, relationships , parents , siblings etc. trying to unearth the subconscious stresses that occur .The doctor needs to learn how to ask the right questions. Many patients wont volunteer that they had "issues" some because it is in the subconscious don't recall them initially until probed beneath the surface. 90% of doctors don't do this for various reasons. A review of prior symptoms diagnosis , tests result xrays, MRI etc. medication taken now and prior (could be extensive, yesterday I had one patient on methadone for 2 years) #2 then a detailed Physical exam of all body parts looking at gait stance balance, neurological tests reflexes and a musculoskeletal exam checking Range of motion strength and especially specific points of tenderness. Classic TMS trigger points are para spinal muscle low back, neck by the trapezius towards the should blade top and lateral thigh area called the trochanteric bursa or a little lower the ilio- tibial band. (very similar to Fibro so don't get confused). after the history and PE you discuss the findings with the doctor and develope the plan. It is very standardized yet at the same time personalized. I tell patients it starts on Page 142 in the Divided Mind and you start writing. Buy a spiral binder or journal and begin you cure. Let it flow stream on consciousness writing no editing no spell correction just let it flow. It's cathartic in itself. This wiki has great info on journalling. Dr Schechter's workbook which I bought is very good and really walks you through a 30 day step by step process. If you need more hand holding and directions it is worth the $18 BIG TIME .
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| Anonymous | pelvic pain | 1 | Apr 17 2009, 8:53 PM EDT by Peghanson | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 14 2009, 1:10 PM EDT
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no question chronic pelvic unexplained pain can be TMS related ie symptom imperive etc.
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| dougeaston | Incredible site. | 5 | Apr 10 2009, 11:45 PM EDT by ForestForTreesTMS | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 8 2009, 7:02 PM EDT
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I have sent a link to my sister who suffers similar symptoms I have. She has had surgeries and has her hands full with her health problems, her family health problems and many close friends she has lost to cancer. I am going to have to read all the stories. Looks like everyone is from all over the world.
Waiting for spring in Iowa!
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| HilaryN123 | 3) enjoy the rest of your life | 3 | Apr 10 2009, 6:50 AM EDT by pandamonium09 | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 9 2009, 1:36 PM EDT
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1) buy Healing Back Pain
2) read it 3) enjoy the rest of your life I like it! :-)
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| Anonymous | TMS conference Ann Arbor MI | 1 | Mar 30 2009, 1:58 PM EDT by Enilk | ||||
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Thread started: Mar 30 2009, 12:42 PM EDT
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Hi Everyone, Great Conference! I had some thoughts about ways to make TMS more marketable to the public and medical community. First I think agreeing on a name is paramount. Right now we all have our own preferences, and with respect to those, I came up with 3: SII - Stress Induced Illness, SRI - Stress Related Illness, and PPD - Psychophysiologic Disorder (based on Sarno's own changes).
My hope is that we can agree to a common name that more accurately reflects our understanding of TMS and we say that the treatment model is based on John Sarno's TMS. I welcome your feedback and participation!
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