Hello,
I have worked as a physical therapist for about four years. Roughly six months ago I came across information about Dr. Sarno and started reading his book, The Divided Mind. I have been so fascinated with this information and think about it a lot. With my particular practice, I often receive many referrals from for individuals with chronic pain conditions, namely chronic spine pain (back pain, neck pain, headaches, whiplash, fibromyalgia, etc.), because frankly many of my colleagues just try to avoid these types of patients. I have honestly felt burned out with working with so many of these patients, many of whom don't get better or may receive some temporary relief.
Ironically, the reason I learned of Dr. Sarno is that I have had chronic pain for the past several years and have physical pain daily. I started having extremely painful lower back problems about three years ago, to the point where I almost had to start taking time off work. I saw one of my colleagues for treatment and my back pain quickly resolved. Then, a short time later I started having severe neck and thoracic (mid torso) and rib pain, seemingly unexplained with no injury or anything. After reading some of Dr. Sarno's material, it made sense to me that there is a strong possibility that I have TMS, and the sudden onset of neck pain could very well be the symptom imperative. I'm in my mid-30's, athletic and health-oriented, so it always seemed so odd that I was having so many problems with pain. My pain doesn't prevent me from working, but I find myself frequently uncomfortable for most of the day.
After contemplating this for awhile, I have gained some insight as to why I'm having this pain and ways that I may be subconsciously feeling resentment, anger or even rage that Dr. Sarno describes. I honestly feel that many of these pain problems may be due to TMS. I do have to say, that I'm still able to help some people with actual physical problems. For example, I find such conditions as ACL reconstruction rehabilitation and other orthopedic/neurologic problems where patients really do need to have physical therapy and there is considerable improvement, but I often think that many of these patients need more psychological counseling. I think it would be awesome to approach patients from a TMS perspective but I'm unsure how/if I can actually do this from a licensing standpoint, since it would be so outside of the standard of care that I would be worried I could lose my license or suffer some type of penalty. Also, with all of my patients, I discuss with them the fact that MRI results are not reliable in diagnosing any pathoanatomical problem with the spine, and whenever I have attempted to have a conversation about the psychological aspects of pain, most folks are absolutely fixated on their MRI results and are just not receptive at all to any other explanation for their pain.
Mike
I have worked as a physical therapist for about four years. Roughly six months ago I came across information about Dr. Sarno and started reading his book, The Divided Mind. I have been so fascinated with this information and think about it a lot. With my particular practice, I often receive many referrals from for individuals with chronic pain conditions, namely chronic spine pain (back pain, neck pain, headaches, whiplash, fibromyalgia, etc.), because frankly many of my colleagues just try to avoid these types of patients. I have honestly felt burned out with working with so many of these patients, many of whom don't get better or may receive some temporary relief.
Ironically, the reason I learned of Dr. Sarno is that I have had chronic pain for the past several years and have physical pain daily. I started having extremely painful lower back problems about three years ago, to the point where I almost had to start taking time off work. I saw one of my colleagues for treatment and my back pain quickly resolved. Then, a short time later I started having severe neck and thoracic (mid torso) and rib pain, seemingly unexplained with no injury or anything. After reading some of Dr. Sarno's material, it made sense to me that there is a strong possibility that I have TMS, and the sudden onset of neck pain could very well be the symptom imperative. I'm in my mid-30's, athletic and health-oriented, so it always seemed so odd that I was having so many problems with pain. My pain doesn't prevent me from working, but I find myself frequently uncomfortable for most of the day.
After contemplating this for awhile, I have gained some insight as to why I'm having this pain and ways that I may be subconsciously feeling resentment, anger or even rage that Dr. Sarno describes. I honestly feel that many of these pain problems may be due to TMS. I do have to say, that I'm still able to help some people with actual physical problems. For example, I find such conditions as ACL reconstruction rehabilitation and other orthopedic/neurologic problems where patients really do need to have physical therapy and there is considerable improvement, but I often think that many of these patients need more psychological counseling. I think it would be awesome to approach patients from a TMS perspective but I'm unsure how/if I can actually do this from a licensing standpoint, since it would be so outside of the standard of care that I would be worried I could lose my license or suffer some type of penalty. Also, with all of my patients, I discuss with them the fact that MRI results are not reliable in diagnosing any pathoanatomical problem with the spine, and whenever I have attempted to have a conversation about the psychological aspects of pain, most folks are absolutely fixated on their MRI results and are just not receptive at all to any other explanation for their pain.
Mike
