As expected "L5 S1" ... could use some support

I could use some help right now. MRI showed L5 S1 large herniated disc impinging on S1 nerve root. So while I KNOW this is classic for TMS, I find myself concerned over the fact that it is "large" and apparently "impinging" on the nerve. A my symptoms could be attributed to this based on what I know L5 S1 impacts....
In addition to the Sarno books, I've read Dr. Schecter's new book "Think Away Your Pain" which is GREAT... but got a little concerned that with something "large" or "impinging " it could fall into the "structural" category... Dr. Scheter's book seemed to have a more nuanced way of looking at structural issues making me think I have a structural issue or a structural issues exacerbated by TMS (if that is even possible?) . THANKS

 

Hi. I am NOT an expert, but I can tell you that my MRI showed a crushed L5 S1 with sponda-whatever the heck. After re-reading Sarno and Steve O's book and looking at my own, personal 'evidence', I have TMS. I don't need a TMS expert to tell me. I know. It is not a linear path, unfortunately. I was pain free the week I read Steve's book (on vacation in Costa Rica), came home to real life and have back, butt pain again. I'm working on it. I still totally (intellectually) believe it is TMS and I also believe I still have psychological work to do, so I am trying to dig deeper. When it hurts, I'm afraid. Afraid I won't feel better again and that makes me sad. So, like I said, I still have work to do. The biggest hurdle is accepting it is TMS. You will get there when you are ready. As Steve told me...surrender. I am trying to surrender. My mantra every single day.

 

Good for you for getting it checked out. I had a herniated disk and I went to a Craniosacral therapist and it helped a lot. She claimed she was able to put it back in place. I felt realigned and my nerve pain in my leg/foot disappeared. But I still had lower back pain - severe- for years after and sacral/hip pain. It wasn't until I discovered IFS therapy and Sarno's work that the pain has lifted for days at a time.

I think it's possible to have a combination. And it is ok to seek out help and alternative therapies for physical ailments. But don't give up on the Mindbody stuff. It may be the thing that works

 

So, I've had multiple nerve pressed, squeezed, and otherwise insulted at l4-5 and l5-s1. 4 back surgeries, including complete disc removal and fusion at those 2 levels, and the pain just got progressively worse. Then they told me it was the scar tissue from the surgery that was pressing on the nerve and causing the pain.....you get the picture. Meanwhile, I know someone who has severe pain and a perfectly perfect MRI.

So, as Dr. Sarno documents, there is no correlation between the MRI and the pain.

 

Great post.... you read my mind. I am going to a back Institute tommorrow because of of pinching in my lower back glute pain and tight hamstrings and calfs. I want to get things clear so as to accept tms 100 %.

 

MRIs can show physical problems but keep in mind, as Dr. Sarno says, the problems can be CAUSED by our TMS emotions. So pills and surgery most often don't relieve the symptoms... TMS knowledge does.

Keep believing in TMS. It's what Dr. Sarno calls "psychological penicillin." Believe in TMS 100 percent and you will heal. Anything less is like putting water in you gas tank instead of gas. Keep positive and use a mantra like "The best is yet to come!"

 

There is one school of thought, however, rabbit, that says that a herniated disk "impinging" on a nerve shouldn't cause pain at all because it's a matter of soft tissue pressing on soft tissue. In other words, there's more than enough relief (i.e. space) that it's impossible to cause real physical pain. If it does hurt, it would only last a short while and result in numbness and tingling, sort of like when you press a nerve sleeping on your arm or shoulder at an odd angle. According to TMS theory (tell me if I'm wrong!), herniated tissue pressing on a nerve is more like a physical trigger for a psychogenic pain condition driven by psychic stress. People differ on whether the process involves oxygen reduction to extremities (classic Sarno) or it's because of programmed pain pathways firing off in the brain (conditioned behavior). They're still debating that. There are several other theories too.

Well, there I go opening a can of worms again! Diagnosing cancer or a broken bone with an MRI is good science, but diagnosing chronic pain with an MRI moves into a very gray area of internal medicine where as those old medieval maps used to say "Dragons dwell here".

My two bits worth? Sounds like that "large herniated disk" diagnosis has got you obsessing on your pain and distracting you from TMS healing.

 

Check out my success story, which includes both L5S1 herniation and a mixed structural/TMS diagnosis:
http://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/tms-healing-worked-for-me.10276/

The mind is the key. When you believe you can heal, you will.

 

Bruce, I buy your 10 cents worth. I've learned that my back pain was from repressed emotions I carried round for years. I have become a total believer in the MindBody connection.

Thanks, too, Orion, for your post and the link to your healing thread. It's an inspiration for everyone.