So, I've started the 'Structured Educational Program'. I injured my back at the gym, doing squats, about 2 months ago. The back injury was rough, but not nearly as rough as the sciatica that ensued. When I first injured my back, my doctor just emailed me videos (I guess back pain's so damn common that he didn't even want to waste time on an office visit!). I did the exercises and the back pain per se went away within a week. But then the sciatica started. And got worse. This time I went to the doctor, who prescribed Prednisone. Didn't touch it. Then I went to a chiropractor - recommended by a coworker - who did some work on me, but recommended I get an x-ray to rule out anything serious. I stalled on this for some reason, and instead went to a bodyworker/massage therapist who friends described as a 'miracle worker'. I felt a little relief after the first session, but by the end of the day I was right back where I was, and getting worse. I went again the following week, and this time his treatment barely touched it.
I decided to go for the X-ray. After a couple days I got my results - normal. No herniation, no spondylosis or whatever it's called. During this time I started to read Dr. Sarno's 'The Mindbody Prescription' that my coworker (the same one who recommended the chiropractor) had loaned me. She had had a serious back injury and had fully recovered, giving credit to the treatment described in the book. Much of the description of the typical TMS profile sounded like me - not all, but enough to make it plausible. I read it and re-read parts, and decided I needed to try this. Not only because I want relief, but because I do think my body and mind are trying to tell me something that I'm not listening to.
Still, I have a sliver of skepticism, mainly because my partner has suggested I go back to the chiropractor. But this is just because it's upsetting for him to see me barely able to stand at times, or crawling around on the floor trying to find relief. I, too, wish I could show up at a doctor or chiropractor's office, spend $100, and walk out the door all fixed up. But I have this feeling that that's just not the answer. I've played around with talking sternly to my mind, telling it to stop hurting me, even to turn up the blood flow to my lower back. Sometimes, not always, it's worked a bit. And that gives me hope.
I decided to go for the X-ray. After a couple days I got my results - normal. No herniation, no spondylosis or whatever it's called. During this time I started to read Dr. Sarno's 'The Mindbody Prescription' that my coworker (the same one who recommended the chiropractor) had loaned me. She had had a serious back injury and had fully recovered, giving credit to the treatment described in the book. Much of the description of the typical TMS profile sounded like me - not all, but enough to make it plausible. I read it and re-read parts, and decided I needed to try this. Not only because I want relief, but because I do think my body and mind are trying to tell me something that I'm not listening to.
Still, I have a sliver of skepticism, mainly because my partner has suggested I go back to the chiropractor. But this is just because it's upsetting for him to see me barely able to stand at times, or crawling around on the floor trying to find relief. I, too, wish I could show up at a doctor or chiropractor's office, spend $100, and walk out the door all fixed up. But I have this feeling that that's just not the answer. I've played around with talking sternly to my mind, telling it to stop hurting me, even to turn up the blood flow to my lower back. Sometimes, not always, it's worked a bit. And that gives me hope.
