Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a complex and frustrating experience for those who have it. Having chronic pain can be a long, dark, isolating journey for those on it. However, often times, the root of the chronic pain is in the nervous system or brain rather than being a structural issue or injury. This is good news because in many cases you can actually use your mind to heal your body. Your negative emotions such as anger, fear, and anxiety can create changes in your brain and body and set a chronic pain pattern in motion. Your pain is REAL, let me get that straight. However, you have learned neural pathways that can be unlearned through therapy, writing, workbook exercises, somatic work and deeper awareness, self talk, and ultimately changing your relationship with your pain. This theory is based on the work of John Sarno, M.D. (TMS-Tension Myositis Syndrome) who coined this term. Nowadays there are other names for TMS pain such as: Mind/Body Syndrome, Distraction Pain Syndrome and PPD Psychophysiological Pain Disorder.
The kinds of chronic pain that may fit into this category are:
-chronic neck, back, shoulder pain
-Pelvic Pain issues
-Headaches
-Stomach issues
-Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
-Tendonitis
-Ear ringing
-Tingling/Numbness
and many others....
*(always check with a family doctor who is familiar with TMS before you assume you have TMS)*
Maybe you have been to a million doctors who have handed you pain pills, done extensive MRI's and XRays but your pain still remains a mystery to them and an ongoing nightmare for you. They may have inadvertently scared you more than helped you. And now, without knowing it, you may be scaring yourself, and so the vicious cycle continues. Your personality type may be so focused on taking care of others and perfectionism that you have unintentionally neglected/criticized/put pressure on yourself and abandoned your more difficult feelings (anger, sadness, fear, rage). Usually this pattern starts in childhood. Many people prone to TMS are highly functioning, perfectionistic, hardworking, dedicated people that have neglected themselves and abandoned their feelings so now their body is doing the talking for them. Looking deeper beyond the physical symptoms and focusing on the psychological aspects of your pain is a key aspect to TMS recovery.
So what can you do about it?
Find a TMS doctor that can properly evaluate your medical history. Rule out any disease processes or structural issues (even if your issues have a structural or disease component this process can still help you lessen your stress).
Your pain is real. However, a mind/body approach can improve or eliminate your suffering.
Read all about TMS--there are some great books, TMS wiki for support, workbooks, videos. Find a TMS therapist in your area or do SKYPE or phone work with a trusted therapist/TMS coach.
Believe that you can and will get better and heal. Start today. Your mind is playing tricks on you and it's time for you to have the upper hand! Listen to stories of those that have had similar situations and healed. Get off internet sites that are scaring you or telling you you will have this problem forever.
Start writing about your feelings, the good, the bad and the ugly. All of it. Journal about what's bugging you daily.
Talk to your brain. Yell at it. Tell it to stop playing tricks on you. Tell yourself there is nothing wrong and you are healing...
Start to focus on self-care. Look at where you might be neglecting yourself, putting pressure on yourself or not speaking your mind. Set aside time just for you... have fun. You can process this more with a mentor or guide and why it might be hard for your to do this.
Lastly, be patient. TMS recovery happens but it takes time. Be gentle with yourself about the process. Try not to compare it to others. It didn't happen overnight and it will take some time to unlearn these pain patterns. For further information, please don't hesitate to call or email me.
The kinds of chronic pain that may fit into this category are:
-chronic neck, back, shoulder pain
-Pelvic Pain issues
-Headaches
-Stomach issues
-Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
-Tendonitis
-Ear ringing
-Tingling/Numbness
and many others....
*(always check with a family doctor who is familiar with TMS before you assume you have TMS)*
Maybe you have been to a million doctors who have handed you pain pills, done extensive MRI's and XRays but your pain still remains a mystery to them and an ongoing nightmare for you. They may have inadvertently scared you more than helped you. And now, without knowing it, you may be scaring yourself, and so the vicious cycle continues. Your personality type may be so focused on taking care of others and perfectionism that you have unintentionally neglected/criticized/put pressure on yourself and abandoned your more difficult feelings (anger, sadness, fear, rage). Usually this pattern starts in childhood. Many people prone to TMS are highly functioning, perfectionistic, hardworking, dedicated people that have neglected themselves and abandoned their feelings so now their body is doing the talking for them. Looking deeper beyond the physical symptoms and focusing on the psychological aspects of your pain is a key aspect to TMS recovery.
So what can you do about it?
Find a TMS doctor that can properly evaluate your medical history. Rule out any disease processes or structural issues (even if your issues have a structural or disease component this process can still help you lessen your stress).
Your pain is real. However, a mind/body approach can improve or eliminate your suffering.
Read all about TMS--there are some great books, TMS wiki for support, workbooks, videos. Find a TMS therapist in your area or do SKYPE or phone work with a trusted therapist/TMS coach.
Believe that you can and will get better and heal. Start today. Your mind is playing tricks on you and it's time for you to have the upper hand! Listen to stories of those that have had similar situations and healed. Get off internet sites that are scaring you or telling you you will have this problem forever.
Start writing about your feelings, the good, the bad and the ugly. All of it. Journal about what's bugging you daily.
Talk to your brain. Yell at it. Tell it to stop playing tricks on you. Tell yourself there is nothing wrong and you are healing...
Start to focus on self-care. Look at where you might be neglecting yourself, putting pressure on yourself or not speaking your mind. Set aside time just for you... have fun. You can process this more with a mentor or guide and why it might be hard for your to do this.
Lastly, be patient. TMS recovery happens but it takes time. Be gentle with yourself about the process. Try not to compare it to others. It didn't happen overnight and it will take some time to unlearn these pain patterns. For further information, please don't hesitate to call or email me.