My story is probably not unique but here it goes! I first experienced a crippling back pain in 2009. I am an exercise instructor in my spare time and on a Saturday morning I was teaching a tough boot camp-style class. I jumped up, landed, and WHAM! I felt something horrid in my lower back. And I was only 20 minutes into a 60 minute class. With very little choice, I kept teaching and (somehow) made it through. When I came home I took a nap, thinking the rest would help relieve my pain. To my horror when I woke up I couldn't move. I was…just…stuck! I somehow crawled to my phone and called a friend. She recommended acupuncture and I called to get an appointment. To my great relief, the acupuncture was a big help and I was able to move again. I had a few small bouts of pain about once a year and faithfully went to the acupuncturist each time.
I seemed to be doing fine, but was nevertheless lucky to run into a friend who heard about my infrequent bouts with back pain. She gave me a copy of Dr. Sarno's book, Healing Back Pain. It sat on my shelf for a long time. I finally picked it up when another episode came on and I was instantly converted. TMS. Yup, I had that. It was like Dr. Sarno was speaking about me. So many of his examples were just like my own experiences and the personality traits were spot on. I was able to "be cured" for many years just by reading the book. It was great.
THEN, about two months ago, I was in another gym class (not mine this time) and experienced a terrible spasm of pain while doing a weighted squat. I hobbled my way home. Again, I couldn't move and was completely bedridden for a day. Bending forward? As if! Any forward movement literally brought tears to my eyes. I scheduled another acupuncture appointment but it didn't seem to provide relief. I knew what I was experiencing (TMS) but I didn't seem to be able to "think the pain away" as I had before. After a few days the pain subsided (phew!) and I regained movement. I started doing some yoga, hoping that the stretching and mind/body "stuff" and relaxation would help me. The yoga is fantastic, but it turns out, not enough...
About a week ago I started experiencing pain again. Ugh. I know why and I can easily list out all the anxiety and stress in my life (work and personal) and all the ways I repress and actively don't "feel my feelings" or express my emotions (and really never have). I don't want to live like this!
I have started rereading Dr. Sarno's book and stumbled upon this website and program. Alright then: let's do it and kick this back pain for good!
I seemed to be doing fine, but was nevertheless lucky to run into a friend who heard about my infrequent bouts with back pain. She gave me a copy of Dr. Sarno's book, Healing Back Pain. It sat on my shelf for a long time. I finally picked it up when another episode came on and I was instantly converted. TMS. Yup, I had that. It was like Dr. Sarno was speaking about me. So many of his examples were just like my own experiences and the personality traits were spot on. I was able to "be cured" for many years just by reading the book. It was great.
THEN, about two months ago, I was in another gym class (not mine this time) and experienced a terrible spasm of pain while doing a weighted squat. I hobbled my way home. Again, I couldn't move and was completely bedridden for a day. Bending forward? As if! Any forward movement literally brought tears to my eyes. I scheduled another acupuncture appointment but it didn't seem to provide relief. I knew what I was experiencing (TMS) but I didn't seem to be able to "think the pain away" as I had before. After a few days the pain subsided (phew!) and I regained movement. I started doing some yoga, hoping that the stretching and mind/body "stuff" and relaxation would help me. The yoga is fantastic, but it turns out, not enough...
About a week ago I started experiencing pain again. Ugh. I know why and I can easily list out all the anxiety and stress in my life (work and personal) and all the ways I repress and actively don't "feel my feelings" or express my emotions (and really never have). I don't want to live like this!
I have started rereading Dr. Sarno's book and stumbled upon this website and program. Alright then: let's do it and kick this back pain for good!