The TMS Wiki - Recently Updated Pages

How many pages are there in the TMS Wiki?

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:19:15 CDT

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On this new website, we have a weekly chatroom and TMS book discussion, an active forum with participation from TMS practitioners, a webinar archive, a media library, and up-to-date versions of all 600+ pages from the old TMS Wiki as well as new ones. Please update your bookmarks and weblinks to help us reach more people in the future.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

The Presence Process Book Discussion: "The breathing and PAS's are my favourite thing and I have done them every day without fail. I think I told you that I also do 2 extra breathing sessions during the day and I repeat the PAS, sitting cross-legged and do a reflexology session on my own feet which is very calming."
Vasculitic neuropathy: "It seems to me that many people have only read Dr. Sarno's earlier books and not his latest two (especially his most recent, "The Divided Mind") as this point is addressed again and again... It isn't just about back pains or shoulder pains (etc.) anymore."
A common physiology?: "Dr. Schubiner is also skeptical of the oxygen deprivation theory. Having talked with him about TMS a number of times, I definitely get the impression that he is someone who cares an awful lot about science, so I tend to trust his skepticism."
Recognizing the importance of not trying too hard: "Everyone's treatment is different. The techniques one person used may not be right for someone else, so if you put a lot of effort in one technique (journaling) and after a while you do not see improvement, I would suggest to try another technique like meditation, mindfulness, or affirmations."
Back pain, disc extrusions treatable using Sarno’s TMS?: "I have let go of some of the fear but not all of it. I do believe that positive thoughts and belief in TMS will cure me. Its like the 1 motrin I allow myself a day. I take it in the middle of the day and it has the effects as if I took a vicodin. Crazy."

How is the TMS wiki "owned by all TMSers?"

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:18:19 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Dr. John Sklar’s Presence Process Thread: "Still really enjoying doing the breathing and am now happily using the Presence Activating Statement right the way through. Sometimes when I do my morning session I almost drop back off to sleep but that's the only time it happens. Feeling calmer and not so fearful."
Writing about feelings: "If this tension, this rage is meant to be unconscious, how come some of us actually know the source already? I too have felt that I have eaten some of my worms (thanks Tiger for this lovely metaphor) only to find they've reincarnated themselves."
Some advice from Susan Derozier, author of Therapeutic Journaling: "I just came to the realization that I need to keep what I have written in a proper book and hold on to what I have written. I discovered that I am not honoring my reflections and feelings by throwing away each page."
Best Methods to ""Work Through"" Repressed Anger/Emotions: "I was wondering if a few kind folks could share their best methods to “work though” the repressed anger/negative emotions? Writing a letter (didn't send) to my dad, as suggested therapy in the book "They Can't Find Anything Wrong!" (referred to me by someone on this site) didn't seem to help much."
Anger begets anger, right?: "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."

How do I join and help out?

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:17:25 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Consensus on name for Sarno’s TMS: "As I understand it, Dr Sarno's specific ‘discovery' was that unconscious rage can cause pain (initially backpain) by depriving the muscles/nerves of oxygen (without there being a ‘structural' cause for the pain) in people with certain personality traits."
An email from Journaling Expert Susan Derozier: "I recently received the following message from Susan Derozier, who instructs classes on therapeutic journaling and wrote the book Therapeutic Journaling. "Dear Forest, I was pleased to discover your site and note my book mentioned on it.”"
Agreeing on the physical cause of stress-induced syndromes: "To gain acceptance by the medical profession we should insist on evidence before making any claims about physiology while simultaneously pointing out that we already know how to help people with this condition, even without fully understanding it."
Struggle through chronic RSI pain: "I truly believe that it was the mentals gains that helped reduce the actual pain. I stopped seeing myself as injured, my mind was overjoyed, and my body responded. I think there is something to be said about our bodies being affected by our emotions."
Tumor on toe: "most people won't do the presence process in my experience. it is as if the ego knows that doing the process will cause too drastic a change to be tolerated. doing the process requires that one give up(progressively) the ability to be a victim of anything."

What makes this website a wiki?

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:16:37 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

TMS recovery from sciatica: "Our acceptance of the diagnosis and our work to understand the causes of our pain is what gets us better. When I got better I didn't rely on doctors, but instead took it upon myself to do the work necessary. Getting better was in my hands."
John Sarno’s TMS and Michael Brown’s Presence Process: "I'm on week 4 and have so far found the PP very interesting. One side effect is that I've realized that nearly everything I do is some form of distraction. For example I read technology news every day and I could probably be doing something that gets me a little more in touch with my emotions."
Waking up with lower back tension: "Even without seeing a TMS specialist, I was able to overcome a lot of my back pain by just ignoring it, and doing my regular exercises, thanks to accepting Sarno's explanation (from reading Healing Back Pain) that it is mostly psychological."
Why do some people not get on with Dr Sarno’s method?: "It has occurred to me that the usual Sarno method, the approach that has helped so many people, just may be counter-productive for this ‘tail' of people who don't make progress because of the very personality traits that Dr Sarno has identified as typifying TMS sufferers!"
TMS or Truly a bulging disk?: "I am at wits end because nothing is working. I have had an MRI and it revealed a slightly bulging disk at L5-S1 that "may or may not be the root of my pain". I have all the symptoms of a bulging disk, but I am wondering now if I have TMS."

TMS Wiki Frequently Asked Questions

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:15:51 CDT

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Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

DocSklar’s Presence Process Thread: "PP (and journaling) helped me understand that my parents were a product of their upbringing and allowed me to be more compassionate towards them. Everyone is looking for unconditional love."
Sacral torsion cause: could it be structural?: "I've been a little afraid of journaling because I'm scared that I'll get another physical symptom and that always worries me and feeds right back into my anxiety and the vicious loop continues. This time I'm trying to break that cycle and tell myself that it is TMS."
Could vasculitis be TMS?: "EMDR deals more with psychological issues (though also with some somatic conditions). It also seems to deal more with trauma issues that are either known or that can readily be pulled out of the subconscious, and not so well - in my case anyway - with possible deeply repressed subconscious traumas."
Post-surgery doubts: "Starting to wonder if TMS is a part of this, but without seeing Dr. Sarno, who knows?? I will continue to do TMS work. It can't hurt. The problem is believing in TMS after surgery. It's hard to forget your medical past."
Bulging disc: TMS symptom or a structural problem?: "I believe it's in MBP that Sarno says that he never head of people injuring themselves more by resuming activity. I suppose you can have flare-ups, especially if you are examining some of the stresses in your life. You have nothing to lose but the pain by beginning this process."

Strategic Plan

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:45:42 CDT

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Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Singer with unexplained throat pain - TMS?: "A new job can be stressful, so it might be helpful for you to journal on how you feel about the new job. What apprehensions do you have about it? Fear is one of the hardest things to overcome, but if you accept the diagnosis and think psychological you will increase your chances of overcoming TMS."
Using Sarno’s method to treat disc extrusions: "It is 3.5 years since my back pain episode, and though I don't journal as much, I do still journal. Got to a point where I journaled (and still do) about forgiveness of myself and others whom I feel "wronged" me. We have years of buried events and feelings in our bodies that don't come out overnight!"
TMS and motherhood: "Dr. Sarno wrote somewhere that 1/3 of our tension comes from the past, 1/3 of it comes from the present, and 1/3 of it comes from the future. In terms of the present, mothers are under a huge amount of stress to get a million things done and, with the responsibility of parenting, sometime to be "perfect.""
Could I have a past physical injury, and TMS in the same place?: "Perhaps all the years of anxiety and muscle tightening have taken a toll. I think I've had TMS or MBS for a very long time and am just now beginning to become aware. I can't wait to talk to my therapist about it. And also I can't wait to start the real work."
Recognizing the importance of not trying too hard: "Everyone's treatment is different. The techniques one person used may not be right for someone else, so if you put a lot of effort in one technique (journaling) and after a while you do not see improvement, I would suggest to try another technique like meditation, mindfulness, or affirmations."

Full Disclaimer

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:44:12 CDT

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Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Morning tension in lower back: "My understanding, after reading Dr. Sarno is if my only reason for purchasing a new mattress would be my hope of lessening back pain in the morning is to save my money and use it for something else. I guess it is analogous to back surgery, fortunately I have no desire for."
Is my back surgery necessary?: "Don't talk to people about the physical, I'll be honest I don't even read what people write about that stuff, I just skim over it because even reading stuff like that can trigger back pain in me, so try and stay away from conversations like that, they fuel the FEAR and feed TMS."
how does tms cause insomnia: "I find the nights I am restless it is something else going on--not physical. I'm usually bothered by something, anticipating something, etc. Fortunately these instances are very rare for me, even when I had bad bad tms pain I was still able to sleep."
The Presence Process Book Discussion: "The breathing and PAS's are my favourite thing and I have done them every day without fail. I think I told you that I also do 2 extra breathing sessions during the day and I repeat the PAS, sitting cross-legged and do a reflexology session on my own feet which is very calming."
TMS Victim, on my way to recovery: "I think the crucial element for us TMSrs, with the development of ANY symptom, be it TMS or purely physical, is our reaction to it. That said, having had chronic pain such as yours, would understandably cause you to worry or be discouraged about a new symptom."

What's New

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:41:32 CDT

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Please click on the above link to continue.

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Sacral torsion cause: could it be structural?: "I've been a little afraid of journaling because I'm scared that I'll get another physical symptom and that always worries me and feeds right back into my anxiety and the vicious loop continues. This time I'm trying to break that cycle and tell myself that it is TMS."
Anxiety around walking: "I could not walk or sit much (back in 2006) as I got tremendous pain in the upper leg area (right side only) and had tingling and numbness in my butt/right leg. Dr. Sarno tested me by doing various bending, standing etc. and told me there was nothing wrong with my leg, nerves, etc."
Could OCD be one of Sarno’s TMS equivalents: "There is no 'magic cure' for either TMS or OCD - they are both defenses employed by the unconscious mind to avoid something that feels frightening, painful or overwhelming. Each person will need to work through those feelings and issues in their own way."
What will it take for TMS doctors to agree on one name?: "Dr. Sarno makes a point in The Divided Mind that many patients would not have sought psychotherapy were they not seeking physical symptom relief. There is a danger in labeling psychosomatic symptoms with current DSM-IV diagnoses."
Vocal pain while/after singing: "I had both painful laryngitis and lower back pain when I went to see Dr Sarno in the early 80's. I had been taking valium which allowed me to speak without pain. In the course of my tms treatment (Sarno technique) my voice returned and I weaned off valium. In my case it was definitely TMS."

Where did the links in the home page go?

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:40:13 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Why do some people not get on with Dr Sarno’s method?: "It has occurred to me that the usual Sarno method, the approach that has helped so many people, just may be counter-productive for this ‘tail' of people who don't make progress because of the very personality traits that Dr Sarno has identified as typifying TMS sufferers!"
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and TMS: "OCD is a way of controlling your external environment, a behavior which often occurs as a means of compensation when you're feeling internally out of control (or stress). Just like physical pain, it's attempting to get you to "buy in" to it."
TMS Victim, on my way to recovery: "I think the crucial element for us TMSrs, with the development of ANY symptom, be it TMS or purely physical, is our reaction to it. That said, having had chronic pain such as yours, would understandably cause you to worry or be discouraged about a new symptom."
Tailbone pain: TMS or a previous injury acting up: "Fear is by far the hardest thing to get through, but one technique that I have found to be helpful in this area is practicing mindfulness. Simply focusing on the present moment and not what will happen if I exercise or how am I going to feel in the morning."
Fear of movement: "Sciatica -- brings back memories. That was what the young (and cute) ER doc diagnosed me with when i first had back pain in 2006. He looked at me a few minutes and said "classic sciatica" well, thank you, I'm a classic! LOL Learned of Dr. Sarno after that and, well, the rest is history."

Mission Statement

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:39:47 CDT

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Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Fear of Walking: "My biggest problem is walking. I developed a fear of it and, depending on how stressed I feel, I start getting tired and dragging the foot after 10 to 20 minutes. At it's worst I look quite disabled which makes it worse as I feel people notice it."
The physical side of TMS: "Sometimes when I read the post on TMS forums I feel quite depressed by the amount of self-denigration that seems to accompany the TMS diagnosis. I don't know whether it was there before the diagnosis or not but in some cases it seems to make it worse!"
Could OCD be one of Sarno’s TMS equivalents: "There is no 'magic cure' for either TMS or OCD - they are both defenses employed by the unconscious mind to avoid something that feels frightening, painful or overwhelming. Each person will need to work through those feelings and issues in their own way."
Why do we argue with our brain?: "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."
Struggle through chronic RSI pain: "I truly believe that it was the mentals gains that helped reduce the actual pain. I stopped seeing myself as injured, my mind was overjoyed, and my body responded. I think there is something to be said about our bodies being affected by our emotions."

TMS Wiki visitor statistics

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:38:39 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Childhood and TMS: "I think one of the most difficult things is for people to recognize how their past has affected their life, especially for us TMS goodist. It can take time to dig into how the past has affected people, but if you keep looking, you may find many some things that you didn't expect."
Slow recovery from Sarno’s TMS: "What becomes confusing is that while I practice accepting myself (body, mind, spirit), I don't accept the pain. And I think the clarification to the brain needs to happen….this is where I get “heady.” I am always looking for the “right” thing to say or do to make this “work.”"
Support around lower back pain: "I had acute sciatica at the beginning of this year for about 4 months. I could not even walk. I knew it was TMS but did not start to recover until I found Monte on this site. I ordered his book and it helped me immensely. I have not had severe pain in a long time."
TMS or Truly a bulging disk?: "I am at wits end because nothing is working. I have had an MRI and it revealed a slightly bulging disk at L5-S1 that "may or may not be the root of my pain". I have all the symptoms of a bulging disk, but I am wondering now if I have TMS."
Best Methods to ""Work Through"" Repressed Anger/Emotions: "I was wondering if a few kind folks could share their best methods to “work though” the repressed anger/negative emotions? Writing a letter (didn't send) to my dad, as suggested therapy in the book "They Can't Find Anything Wrong!" (referred to me by someone on this site) didn't seem to help much."

Member Profile Spotlights

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:37:33 CDT

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Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Exploring childhood with Michael Brown’s Presence Process: "Michael Brown actually claims that his beliefs are not 'New Age' in some of his video clips but I would think that they must seem that way to many who are firm adherents to the 'old', established religions, in spite of his many quotes from the Bible. And also, his beliefs would obviously seem New Age/mystical to an atheist."
Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing: "I think that Dr. Evans' genuine excitement about ideas regarding the treatment of TMS/PPD and his genuine care about his patients is a big part of what makes his patients so devoted to him and makes Dr. Sarno trust him so much."
Consensus on name for Sarno’s TMS: "As I understand it, Dr Sarno's specific ‘discovery' was that unconscious rage can cause pain (initially backpain) by depriving the muscles/nerves of oxygen (without there being a ‘structural' cause for the pain) in people with certain personality traits."
Could surgery be necessary?: "I wish Dr. Sarno himself would address this more thoroughly. I also had weakness with little numbness in my buttocks. I don't know how that happens. Seems like it should be numb first. He never said that "all" herniations are harmless."
Are there benefits to agreeing on a common physiology?: "I think that good science is careful science. It doesn't pretend to know things that it doesn't know. For example, I love reading Dr. Clarke's posts. His definition of what is now called TMS is so incredibly *humble* from a scientific perspective."

After you have created an account

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:36:54 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Tension Myositis Syndrome and Parenthood: "I think a great way to go about recovery is to view it as a job. Doing the work is not something that should be taken lightly. In some cases people do need to make adjustments to their life, so that they have time to focus on their needs and feelings."
Post-surgery doubts: "Starting to wonder if TMS is a part of this, but without seeing Dr. Sarno, who knows?? I will continue to do TMS work. It can't hurt. The problem is believing in TMS after surgery. It's hard to forget your medical past."
Is there something structural, or has it been TMS all along?: "Sounds like both of you have experienced pain moving around or new symptoms appearing in an effort to try and keep the distraction going, which is very common and usually a good sign that you are starting to make progress in banishing TMS."
Pain relapse after TMS “cure”: "As for the mechanism, oxygen deprivation, or whatever it is, for me it doesn't really matter. I have proved that I can control my pain with my thoughts and I have been pain free for nearly 3 years. Have a look at my story linked in my profile, you might see some similarities with your story."
The Presence Process: principles from The Power of Now: "i am much more present during my breathing. it is easier to sit still. i am choosing to breath regularly for longer than 15 minutes - my goal is 20-30 minutes per session. the first 5 times i only did 15 minutes per session."

Technical Mentoring

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:35:27 CDT

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Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Can chronic plantar fasciitis be TMS: "I read on the site about cases of people with acute PF being cured using the TMS approach, but I am wondering if it is possible for a case as chronic as mine to not be structurally based as well?"
Diagnosis and Treatment of Somatic Stress Disorder: "What I am wondering is how important to you patients' recovery you have found it to be that they actually believe that there is no structural cause to their illness, ie does it significantly impede their recovery if they still think there may be a physical cause that is exacerbated by stress?"
Childhood and TMS: "I think one of the most difficult things is for people to recognize how their past has affected their life, especially for us TMS goodist. It can take time to dig into how the past has affected people, but if you keep looking, you may find many some things that you didn't expect."
TMS relapse - sciatic pain: "It appears you have a lot on your mind that would clearly cause anxiety and repressed emotions. Fear is a very strong thing. It can cause all sorts of problems. Faith is the opposite of fear. Have faith that you can feel better. What sorts of TMS recovery steps have you tried?"
A common physiology?: "Dr. Schubiner is also skeptical of the oxygen deprivation theory. Having talked with him about TMS a number of times, I definitely get the impression that he is someone who cares an awful lot about science, so I tend to trust his skepticism."

Contacting Us

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:33:52 CDT

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TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Can of worms: "I am a new member who has just started journalling. I am using the suggestions from the website Unlearn your Pain. I have begun listing and and detailing my experiences such as illness or death in family. I feel like I could write extensively about everything on the list."
TMS and parenting: "The adult you cares for her very deeply and knows that she is doing her (5 year old) best, but your own *inner* child doesn't get that. So you have this frustration, what Sarno might call rage, but you can't do anything with it."
Applying Michael Brown’s Presence Process to TMS: "most people won't do the presence process in my experience. it is as if the ego knows that doing the process will cause too drastic a change to be tolerated. doing the process requires that one give up(progressively) the ability to be a victim of anything."
Necessity of back surgery: "I'm a firm believer in mind-body connections and TMS but I do think you need to read the articles about MRIs and disc carefully. I couldn't find anywhere that it said that a sequestered disc could be asomatic."
Scheduled for surgery, but it could be TMS: "Our belief system can be extremely powerful, so it might be worth asking yourself ' What do I believe is going to help me get better' This is where the placebo effect of surgery can come in if for example you believe that need to have an operation in order to get better."

About the TMS Wiki

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:32:34 CDT

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Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Pain after back surgery - was it all TMS, or was surgery necessary: "I recovered using the TMS/PPD approach and feel other people can as well. The article you mention makes a great point that back abnormalities do not necessarily equal back pain. Once you take the proper precautions you can see if this approach is right for you."
Could I have a past physical injury, and TMS in the same place?: "Perhaps all the years of anxiety and muscle tightening have taken a toll. I think I've had TMS or MBS for a very long time and am just now beginning to become aware. I can't wait to talk to my therapist about it. And also I can't wait to start the real work."
Is my back surgery necessary?: "Don't talk to people about the physical, I'll be honest I don't even read what people write about that stuff, I just skim over it because even reading stuff like that can trigger back pain in me, so try and stay away from conversations like that, they fuel the FEAR and feed TMS."
how does tms cause insomnia: "I find the nights I am restless it is something else going on--not physical. I'm usually bothered by something, anticipating something, etc. Fortunately these instances are very rare for me, even when I had bad bad tms pain I was still able to sleep."
DocSklar’s Presence Process Thread: "PP (and journaling) helped me understand that my parents were a product of their upbringing and allowed me to be more compassionate towards them. Everyone is looking for unconditional love."

HilaryN: Temporary page

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:25:36 CDT

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The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

MRI shows a bulging disc, could it be TMS?: "Mostly I feel these thoughts are increasing my back pain. I read somewhere that when you have a flare up you should try to think of a repressed bad memory or emotion, so as to tell your brain that the pain isn't doing the trick, it's not distracting you."
Struggle through chronic RSI pain: "I truly believe that it was the mentals gains that helped reduce the actual pain. I stopped seeing myself as injured, my mind was overjoyed, and my body responded. I think there is something to be said about our bodies being affected by our emotions."
Post-surgery doubts: "Starting to wonder if TMS is a part of this, but without seeing Dr. Sarno, who knows?? I will continue to do TMS work. It can't hurt. The problem is believing in TMS after surgery. It's hard to forget your medical past."
Surgery - I don’t know: "I hurt my back several months ago, the acute pain subsided with 2 doses back to back (cortisone) some pt and rest. I have gone to 2 orthopedics that stated I was surgery was not necessary and went to 2 neuron surgeons that said I needed to have a discectomy."
Throat pain and hoarseness: "My symptoms worsen the more I sing. They also act up when I read out loud to my kids during their bedtime, which strikes me as tms since reading out loud is only talking, which I've been doing for a good deal of the day."

Favourite TMS forum posts and quotes (old)

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:24:29 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Does knowing the physiology behind the syndrome really matter?: "it is great that for many people, like yourself, anecdotal evidence is sufficient to free them from their symptoms. But maybe more people would be convinced, and therefore benefit, if they could understand the physiology behind their suffering?"
TMS and GAD: "Anytime you hear yourself saying "what if", you are inadvertently creating and/or exacerbating significant tension in your body which will either initiate or 'fuel' a TMS scenario. As a part of your mindfulness practice, notice the 'what if'' language."
Doubts about Sarno’s method: "I can say though for myself, I did not have doubts as the only other options before me were lie here in pain or have back surgery. I chose to immerse myself in reading daily and writing a lot to clear out years of emotional trash. It worked and I was back to work and living a fun life."
Accepting anger, fear, anxiety to heal: "Massage and warm baths are good for the soul and your emotional well being, so I wouldn't beat yourself up over that stuff. TMS is a tricky beast, you are not doing anything wrong, you just need time to retrain your brain and do some emotional healing."
TMS recovery from sciatica: "Our acceptance of the diagnosis and our work to understand the causes of our pain is what gets us better. When I got better I didn't rely on doctors, but instead took it upon myself to do the work necessary. Getting better was in my hands."

Other Internet Resources

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:24:03 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Slow recovery from Sarno’s TMS: "What becomes confusing is that while I practice accepting myself (body, mind, spirit), I don't accept the pain. And I think the clarification to the brain needs to happen….this is where I get “heady.” I am always looking for the “right” thing to say or do to make this “work.”"
DocSklar’s Presence Process Thread: "PP (and journaling) helped me understand that my parents were a product of their upbringing and allowed me to be more compassionate towards them. Everyone is looking for unconditional love."
Could OCD be one of Sarno’s TMS equivalents: "There is no 'magic cure' for either TMS or OCD - they are both defenses employed by the unconscious mind to avoid something that feels frightening, painful or overwhelming. Each person will need to work through those feelings and issues in their own way."
Dr. Bob Evans and Somatic Experiencing: "My main struggle now is with OCD related to my pain and discomfort. I compulsively am reaching to the area in my back and side and touching it. It's useless. After reading the SE article it makes me realize that OCD is an anticipation of further pain and discomfort."
TMS and the journaling process: "In a sense, it made it safer and easier to deal with the memories in that way. Also, I found that when things got too heavy with my journaling I became playful in using other alternative techniques to deal with my pain issues."

Favourite books

ForestForTreesTMS — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:22:28 CDT

ATTENTION: The TMS Wiki has moved!

The TMS Wiki has moved tohttp://www.tmswiki.org.

Best Wishes,
The Leadership Team of the PPD/TMS Peer Network, sponsor of the TMS Wiki

TMS Discussion Threads
The following is a list of links to some of the better discussions from our old forum. However, we encourage you tovisit our new foruminstead.

Fear of Walking: "My biggest problem is walking. I developed a fear of it and, depending on how stressed I feel, I start getting tired and dragging the foot after 10 to 20 minutes. At it's worst I look quite disabled which makes it worse as I feel people notice it."
Struggle through chronic RSI pain: "I truly believe that it was the mentals gains that helped reduce the actual pain. I stopped seeing myself as injured, my mind was overjoyed, and my body responded. I think there is something to be said about our bodies being affected by our emotions."
Back pain: structural or TMS: "I was having scary sciatica when I read Sarno's book, the few days after I felt great. Now, days 4 and 5 are kind of painful but without sciatica. I am going all out and doing all the things that are supposed to make pain worse, despite the fears of hurting myself."
Will journaling open a can of worms: "Right now I think it's not the issues that I was unaware but the feelings about them. I didn't allow myself the vulnerability of actually feeling hurt, ashamed, because it made me feel weak, a failure, which in turn fed on my low self-esteem trait."
Brown cell tumor: TMS or structural?: "My reading of Dr. Sarno and every other TMS doctor that I've met has been that they believe that the first step is to rule out a bona fide structural cause. I'm not a doctor, so I can't diagnose or give medical advice, but when I hear the word "tumor," I immediately think of structural problems."