An amazing example of the mind-body connection and conditions responses

I'll spare you all of the details, but I've suffered with various TMS symptoms since 2006. In 2009, I tore a labrum in my hip and was advised that my hips were arthritic and dysplastic. I started mountain bike racing, and eventually earned a pro license in 2017. Last year, during a period of great stress, I saw a doctor for a back injury and they took some films, and told me my hips looked a lot worse. Mind you, I hadn't had any hip symptoms from 2009-2017.

Within weeks, I was limping like crazy, and the hip pain became so bad, I stopped racing in July and scheduled a hip replacement surgery for August 12th. Within 48 hours of making the decision to stop racing, however, my pain completely stopped. I'd been limping EVERY DAY for four months, and suddenly, the pain was gone.

Fast forward to today: out of nowhere, I started to seriously consider returning to training and racing this afternoon. I started researching races, planning my training, etc... About two hours ago, I started to limp. Understand, I HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED TRAINING YET. I haven't limped in 8 months, but suddenly, just THINKING about returning to racing made me start to limp.

Is that not incredible? And any advice on how to fight through it?

 

Yes it is incredible how our minds can produce TMS symptoms. I've experienced some wild stuff myself over the years.

You don't say what you're doing to treat your TMS. Are you participating in a structured program of some kind. If not, I highly recommend either the free ones on this site or Dr. Schubiner's Unlearn Your Pain. And hopefully you are reading about TMS regularly as knowledge is part of the treatment. Listening to Sarno's audio book is helpful to many.

I had a lot of success with one of the techniques that Sarno recommended. He discusses how our rational, logical brain can override our primitive unconscious with repetition and persistence. He calls this the "top down" approach. Many of his patients called it "talking to my brain". It goes like this--when you are aware of a TMS symptom, say to yourself (out loud worked best for me) something to the effect of "Knock it off brain! There is no logical reason for me to be limping right now. I am healthy and strong. So just STOP!" Repeat often.

I know it sounds ridiculous and crazy, but it really worked for me and many others. Try it and let me know how you are doing. Best wishes......

 

Exposure is the only way to uncondition your pain

Go out and ride your bike without fear. Yeah it will suck at first, but eventually the pain will subside

 

I believe that some of us are more suggestible. Last year, I was reading a lot of posts on this forum about pelvic pain. I thought to myself "thank God, I haven't had that!" Within a week, I was having pelvic pain with and without intercourse. I consulted two pelvic specialists to be sure nothing was structurally wrong. Almost a year later, I'm 80% improved, but it still pops up from time to time. I've learned to guard how much time I spend on the Wiki and to filter out posts that might stick to my unconscious mind. It's funny that it's only the negative stuff that sticks. I wish I could think "I need to lose 20 pounds" and it would infiltrate my brain and the weight would melt off!!!