Day 1

[Rachel72]

I joined this forum a couple of weeks ago, but waited until today to start this program because I needed to have some of my concerns checked by my doctor before I was ready to start this journey. I am going on 11 months of chronic neck, shoulder, back and hip pain that ebbs and flows, moves around, and makes me feel like a crazy person. I read The Mindbody Prescription in March and had that "YES!!! This is me!!!" experience, and POOF!, the pain disappeared. For 6 glorious weeks, I was pain free. As my job and personal lives were presented new stressors, the pain returned, but this time in my left chest, shoulder and breast, which absolutely terrified me and I became completely consumed. The pain was excruciating, I got a sinus infection, a sty in my eye, and fever blisters in my mouth. To say I went down the rabbit hole would be an understatement!

To start this process, I needed to see my doctor for a breast exam, have a mammogram, have my heart checked, etc.. Now that those things have happened and all came back okay, I am mentally and emotionally ready. I believe wholeheartedly that I suffer from TMS. This most recent bought of pain and sickness just proved to me how much my mind effects my health.

I am feeling hopeful today. My pain has lessened in the past few days knowing that I am starting this program.

 

[Ines]

Hello. Nice to meet you.

 

[Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)]

Hi, Rachel. Your post is wonderful. Now you know your pains are not structural and you recognize yourself as having TMS.
In these crazy, stressful times, it's understandable to have emotional stress. The SEProgram will help you to discover your repressed emotions.

Also, feel good in knowing you have come to the right place to heal. The TMS forum is rich in people who want to help each other.

I find it very helpful to meditate. That can be easy if you try the Relaxation Response technique of MindBody TMS relaxation...

Meditation is a time-honored way of relaxing the mind and relieving anxiety, mental stress, headaches, and even physical pain. There are many ways to practice meditation, but many consider the most successful to be a technique called the Relaxation Response (RR).

It is a wonderful way to practice TMS Mindbody Healing because it changes harmful thinking in the subconscious mind which Dr. John Sarno says causes pain that is not caused by anything structural.

The RR, practiced once twice a day for 10, 15, or 20 minutes has a profound positive effect on the subconscious mind, relieving or curing everything from anxiety, hypertension, headaches, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, high blood pressure, insomnia, stomach problems, all forms of pain including backaches, abdominal pain, muscle pain, neck, arm, and leg pain, and relieves side affects from cancer and AIDS.

RR is like Transcendental Meditation which is taught by TM specialists who charge hundreds or thousands of dollars. But the RR is free and you can do it yourself.

It is practiced, before a meal, and works best if not practiced within two hours after a meal. I do it in bed before arising in the morning and again in bed before falling sleep. Often, I only do it 5 or 10 minutes and it works to calm me and put me to sleep.

Just sit in a chair (or lie in bed in the morning or at bedtime), close your eyes, don’t listen to any music, and try to avoid outside noises. Let your mind think of a word such as "One " which has no real meaning or association. Or say a calming word such as “Calm” or “Peace,” or add the faith or spiritual element by saying a favorite religious word or prayer. Breathe naturally or incorporate Deep Breathing by breathing in through the mouth to inflate the stomach, suck in the stomach while holding the breath for a few seconds, then say the word when you exhale through the mouth.

Say the word silently over and over. At the end of the 10 to 20 minutes, picture and feel yourself as you were when you felt your best, and in a place where you felt that way.

When distracting thoughts arise during the RR, as they will, just tell yourself, “Oh, well,” and go back to repeating your chosen word.

My "word" is a prayer: "God loves me and is protecting me." I say it a few times and go right to sleep. If my mind wanders onto other things, I tell myself"Oh, well," and repeat my mantra silently while deep breathing.

There are several free videos on Youtube about the Relaxation Response. I especially recommend these two by Dr. Benson: