how to make it sink in?

eskimoeskimo

eskimoeskimo

Well known member
I know that it makes no sense, and is counterproductive, to focus on posture the way I do. I'm still, after all this time working with TMS, preoccupied with 'damage.' I'm always worried that I'm causing some, by sitting or standing in the wrong way or for too long. I've talked about this a lot on here. I've read articles debunking posture, etc etc. But still, I ruminate and doubt. So I guess my question is... does any one have any tips for getting something to sink in? I don't even know how to make sense of the doubt anymore. The amount of times I've written out my little affirmations is dizzying.
 
This is just me trying to convince myself but, c'mon! : I'm 26, athletic. I haven't had any major injury. My MRIs don't show anything unusual. And yet I'm worried that my spine is crumbling from sitting too much? It's bullshit! But, I don't feel that. I understand that, but it doesn't sink in.
 
What do you mean by 'damage'? What are some structural examples you would consider to be 'damage'? What is the mechanism by which this 'damage' will cause pain？
 
MrRage said:
What do you mean by 'damage'? What are some structural examples you would consider to be 'damage'? What is the mechanism by which this 'damage' will cause pain？
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I really don't know. I guess I think most about 'degeneration.' There was one doc who mentioned that I've got some, at some levels maybe even DDD. So I worry about the effects of gravity, shrinking discs etc. Or maybe some combination of bad posture and degeneration leading to some herniations. Something like that.
 
I know it doesn't make sense because I still feel guilty, like I've done some damage, even when I've used 'good' posture... which I usually do. There's really no way I could stand or sit without worrying about damage because the pain always makes it feel like it's doing harm. Sitting and standing cause pain for me either way.
 
Why do you feel guilty about your posture? What do you define as 'good' posture? What is the mechanism by which 'bad' posture' causes back pain

Do you have any other symptoms besides your back pain?

Have you tried journaling about your emotions at all?
 
As for how to 'let it sink in', I had to read and re-read Sarno's books. Steve O's book "The Great Pain Deception" was also very helpful.
 
eskimoeskimo said:
I really don't know. I guess I think most about 'degeneration.' There was one doc who mentioned that I've got some, at some levels maybe even DDD. So I worry about the effects of gravity, shrinking discs etc. Or maybe some combination of bad posture and degeneration leading to some herniations. Something like that.
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Have you read the studies showing lack of correlation between common spinal "abnormalities" and pain?
 
Hi. Eskimo. I think it would help you to look at the free video on Youtube called Detachment from Over-Thinking. It has good advice on how to stop ruminating. I doubt your posture is causing you pain. Now that notion is in your mind, it's hard to get out because it may have become a conditioned reflect to sitting or standing.

I think it's bad to be doing Doctor Google searches for spinal abnormalities and pain. Just believe 100 percent that your symptoms are caused by your emotions.
 
pspa said:
Have you read the studies showing lack of correlation between common spinal "abnormalities" and pain?
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Yes, and that helps -- but it doesn't sink in. I still have doubts. For example, those are only a few studies out of many. And I'm worried that it's my desperation that's pushing me to stick with TMS.
 
pspa said:
It wouldn't. But muscle tension generated by fear anxiety stress obsessive focus what have you would, and does.
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I feel like I know that's the case, until treating it that way doesn't change anything. On paper, it's obvious what's going on. But in practice ...
 
eskimoeskimo said:
So what to do ? As the symptoms come up, which they do all day every day .... what to do?
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The answer is so simple, yet feels close to impossible: you live your life. How can we possibly do that when the pain is incessant? Laugh. Be with others. Read powerful books. I know you have been at this for a long time, eskimo. This is the hardest thing we will likely do in our lives. But trying to obsess on progress or lack thereof will make the whole thing that much more difficult.
 
I have a LOT of OCD tendencies and it has been a major roadblock in my healing. Just know that you are doing it. In some meditation practices, you are taught to just say "ruminating" or "overthinking" to yourself as you catch yourself doing it and then move on. TMS is a call to be present and to feel our feelings. I too, was OBSESSED with posture for many months, if not years, and it made my TMS much worse, never better. The one exception was learning some Alexander Technique, which encourages calm and poised posture, without force or fear. There are many good videos on YouTube. Just don't worry too much about your posture. Worrying and obsessing about posture is a form of self-control that makes the ID very angry indeed. Watch how children walk and posture themselves, or animals, they do it without thinking. Follow suit. Think less, fear less, feel more, emote more and your TMS will get better. You will heal. The body is always healing, all we have to do is trust.
 
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