Dr. Hanscom Book, Confused & Upset

I was reading Dr. Hanscom's book "Bavk in Control" tonight & loving his thoughts on TMS. Then I get to the back of the book & he writes that it's important to be educated in spine care, work with physical therapists, etc...so that we can avoid a future back pain. I am upset that I spent the time to read his book when towards the end he makes me start to think physical again. Maybe I am misunderstanding him but this just not only upset me but also confused me. Anyone else???

 

I don't remember that part of Dr. Hanscom's book, but I would not take it too much to heart. I had back surgery almost 20 years ago and spent years and years in physical therapy. I wish so much that there was all this information and support on TMS then. I did read Dr Sarno's book but I don't think I completely understood it. I gave up on it too quickly and went back to all my physical remedies(therapy, massage, back exercises etc.) The very best thing you can do to avoid future back pain or some other pain condition that could develop later on due to TMS is to be very kind and patient with yourself and work on the TMS. You mentioned in your other post that you have a lot of anxiety. Well, I have a lot of anxiety too and from what I understand that goes along with the TMS. So as we treat our TMS, the anxiety will subside as well. I have been having very good results with the anxiety by trying to experience and accept it when it comes. In other words not panic and try to run from it like I used to. So when I feel really anxious, I close my eyes, breathe, and try to notice what physical sensations are accompanying the anxiety. Then I do my very best to try to mentally describe in physical terms what I am feeling, welcome it, and tell it that it is ok to be. For instance, "hello buzzy feeling in my arms and stomach. You are okay to be here. I am fine with you." And don't forget to breathe deeply and I usually remind myself that I am ok, that I am not in danger. I didn't make this up, it was in a video Stocktrader posted. I started trying it and it really helped. I know the back pain can feel really awful. I had it in my lower back, right side, sciatica, numbness in my feet etc. for years. I did everything the doctors and physical therapists told me to do. I spent thousands and thousands of dollars. I was always really afraid there was something really bad going on, that I needed to do more somehow. But clearly now I realize that there wasn't anything physically wrong with me. I had TMS and did not realize or accept it. If you've seen a doctor and they say it is okay for you to try conservative treatment ie: physical therapy etc. then you should really try to have confidence and work on the TMS. It is what will protect you the most in the future. After enduring all those years of back pain I could never have imagined all the other pain conditions I would later develop with the TMS - foot pain, bladder spasms, occipital neuralgia... The pain is real and believe me I know how hard it is to imagine there isn't something structurally wrong that needs to be fixed. Looking back I realize that many doctors/surgeons gave me clues that there could be something else going on by saying things like "oh, you are fortunate, your pain corresponds to what we are seeing on the MRI." or asking me questions like "you need to ask yourself why you have a ruptured disc at 32 years of age?" Why would they ask things like that if they were truly confident in their ability to accurately and predictably diagnose the causes of back pain.

 

Oh, and I had several back specialists/surgeons tell me before I had the back surgery that if I could find a way to live with the pain, eventually it would go away. One doctor estimated that would take 7 years. ????? If there was clearly something structurally wrong(ie: a ruptured disc that was pinching a nerve) then why were they saying that if I could learn to live with it that the pain would eventually go away? And then why after I had surgery and removed the disc was I still in pain for years? Obviously the placebo effect did not work for me. And my lower back has been fine now for over 15 years. Its just everywhere else in my body that I have trouble with.

 

Maybe the thinking on that line was that.... if youve had back problems for a long time then your spine will probably be lacking in muscle and flexibility through lack of work and use... and probably needs a little building up so it matches with the rest of your body again. What do I know.
Leooooooo

 

Hello mousemom,

Let me soothe your worries. David Hanscom's message focuses on calming down a highly sensitised nervous system. I read a draft of his book some time ago and suspect it may be a little different to the final published version as mine does not end as you describe. No matter. The key elements remain.

If you visit his website;

http://www.drdavidhanscom.com/

you'll notice he offers a five point plan. The first stage is dealing with anxiety and this my love, is where you have need to settle for a time. Bless your heart, I can hear in your voice how worried and anxious you are.

Have you explored Claire Weekes? If you follow this link it will take you to a site where you can listen to some of her work for free. There are many people here who have greatly benefited from her so please do give her a go.

http://www.anxiety-central.com/inde...rum/how-to-recover-from-anxiety-by-dr-cla-r68

Once your anxiety levels begin to lower you'll find it much easier to move onto deeper levels of healing. I notice on a different thread that you ask which program to try next. Kindly I offer this, having walked the road before you. It is all too easy to get locked into endless reading and searching for the answer. In truth all the books and programs say the same thing. When you boil it down, they all help you learn how to take the reins of your unruly mind. This involves some psychological digging here, some calming practice there, a huge dose of self belief and a decent smattering of support and kindness from friends here.

There is no magic bullet. Only you can heal you. And you can.

As for your concerns about the physical. I tend to agree with Leonardo999. While there is nothing wrong with your back, as you resume normal life, it is wise to treat your whole body with mindfulness. If you've not exercised or been particularly active it does well to ease back into it. TMS is an emotional condition and yet we still have bodies and we must honour the physical aspect. Nurture your body, your mind, your heart and your spirit and healing will surely be yours.

 

Hello Plum.... thats such an interesting post and great information too... will take a look also :*) Thanks
Leo

 

Dr. Hanscomb is a surgeon with Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, a well-established institution, so it is not surprising that he has given a nod (was perhaps required to do so) to traditional thought. I also like Leo's interpretation, and you can't do any better than to follow Plum's advice. She is very wise.

Jan

 

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Anne: Your story helps me in my time of pain. I pray everyday that it will be gone soon. The information from his book is at the end. I guess I am just frustrated because I am trying not to think physical right now and his book brought me right back to square 1. That's all I have thinking about now. Ugh!!

Plum: Thanks for your advice. I am really struggling with my anxiety but I feel if this painful knot in my back were to dissolve I won't worry so much. I am trying very hard to focus on my emotions but this pain is constant. I have had it for almost 6 weeks now with no relief. It is taking a toll on me and my family. I have read Claire Weekes and try but it is really hard right now.

Leo: I am sure your right. But I am so confused. I have had three kids and while they were little I never struggled with my pain like I do today. Then I was lifting kids, diaper bags, car seats, etc.. with no pain. Now they don't really need my physical help. I feel so weak with them now.

I am desperate enough with the new pain that I have scheduled a doctor's appt. for this Tuesday with my GP and hopefully an MRI just to make sure there is nothing wrong like a tumor, etc. because this pain is so different than what I usually experience. I would not have made this appt. if the pain was not so constant. I can't even sleep without a muscle relaxer (which does not leave my feeling good the next day). I am working with a therapist, doing my journaling, & truly do believe that TMS is my problem. Maybe I just have a bad knot in my back that I have never experienced and it takes awhile to release. I don't know anymore. But this community is a great help.

 

Jan, thank you so much for your kind words. As an admirer of your posts, your compliment means a lot to me.

Leo, I visited to your youtube channel. I have an endless regard for talent and it's obvious you have that aplenty. I'm experiencing some internet problems at the moment (due to a clutch of late Summer storms), but once rectified I shall enjoy my time on your channel.

Mousemom, sweetheart, how about you don't focus on anything at all other than what feels good. Cease trying, forget the emotions, give journaling the boot for a while, and give yourself over to letting go. This is a time for nothing, for letting yourself be.

By way of example here are a couple of things I do when in meltdown. I allow myself to stop. I go for long walks alone. I listen to music on headphones and cut my mind off the leash. I relish long, hot baths with fiction I love (my dirty secret is a huge love of crime fiction. I dig the break from my usual more literary tastes), I watch movies (big movie buff), I go to bed and sleep or snuggle as long as I want and finally, Sarno once said if all else fails enjoy a glass or two of wine, in bed with a good book. Recurring themes...

(Claire Weekes is great to listen to.)

 

Hi Plum nice to meet you..
Thanks for the comments :*)
Just checking a few posts here and then a few pages of Dr Sarno..
Have a good day......

Leooooo

 

I'd like to add to Plum's relaxation suggestions... laugh. Even if there is nothing funny going on or in my mind,
I just laugh anyway and it's amazing how fast stress goes away. My unconscious mind doesn't know I'm not laughing
at anything funny. It just feels my laughter. It sounds very simplistic, but it works for me.