avik
Well known member
I am writing this post in the hopes that anyone who is reading this who is in pain, can see first hand that it is possible to "think psychologically"...to the point where YOU control how and when your pain, subsides.
Ill try to keep this brief:
Been dealing with this TMS stuff for 20+ years and have had incredible success over the past 5 years with dealing with 90% of its iterations/equivalents. When I say I have experienced every equivalent and then some, I am not exaggerating. From every muscle spasm you can imagine, to losing the use of one my legs, hearing in one ear, all sorts of random skins issues, digestive issues...blah, blah, blah...and the list goes on, ad nauseum.
Of all of the above, no TMS iteration has been a bigger pain in my ass than muscle spasms. I'm talking, out of the clear blue sky, debilitating, knife in my neck/back/buttocks...that puts me out of the game for a good week. I'm talking laying on my couch, having downed muscle relaxers and painkillers, not moving a millimeter in the fear of aggravating the sharpest pain(s) I have ever experienced. Good Lord, I hate muscle spasms...
Anywho, a couple of years ago when a neck spasm hit from out of nowhere, I decided for the first time in my long and illustrious TMS career to do the opposite of what I usually do. What I usually do is: a) freak the F*ck out b) panic c) think I did irreparable damage d) baby , massage and "treat" the site of the spasm e) plan how I am going to deal with the upcoming next 5-7 days of misery(in that order)-
By doing the opposite, I mean I:
Don't stretch, rub, massage, press or even touch the site of the pain!
Trust me, I realize how difficult it not to touch the site of the pain but I am convinced that giving that muscle any attention in the moments following the onset of the spasm is what seals the deal...and confirms to your brain that the TMS spasm is working.
That time years ago when I had that neck spasm? Oh I quickly grabbed my neck but then forced myself to just leave it alone and go one with what I was doing. No lies here, I was TERRIFIED but I focused on my breathing, positive thoughts and overall relaxation and the neck spasm dissipated over the course of the following two hours. This was a revelation to me.
Now, jump forward to two nights ago and I'm at my birthday dinner with a whole bunch of close friends. One of the topics of convo that pops us happens to have been started by two girlfriends of mine (who had just met at this dinner) and they are talking about the back spasms that they experienced this year and how they are now approaching their pains differently, after having read Sarno (introduced to them by yours truly).
I overhear the convo, jump in and randomly say "you know, I've had all sorts of spasms in my life but for some reason (thankfully) very few back spasms (kiss of death?). I go on to explain to them that I am and have been dealing with some chronic shoulder issues (that I know is TMS as well) and that I think it will soon completely go away.
I go to the gym this morning thinking to myself "holy shit, my shoulder isn't bothering me and I can wait to throw around some heavy weights!". That said, there was a part of me thinking "hmmm...I wonder where TMS will pop up next...".
So, it's leg day today, and I'm squatting...and BOOM...mid rep, lower back spasm, right by the coccyx bone. Super sharp pain, immobilized, panicked...already thinking my weekend is toast.
I MEAN WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT THIS IS A "REAL" INJURY CONSIDERING ALL OF THE ABOVE??
So, I reach around to my back prepared to dig my fingers into the spot where the pain is emanating from and I quickly stop myself-
I decide to myself in real time "NO. No confirming this pain by "treating/rubbing/massaging" this spasm".
Terrified (as per usual), I simply grab my stuff and head to the locker room.
As I do so, I am in a trance...talking to myself...saying "its ok, its TMS, you KNOW its TMS...because TMS is effective but QUITE STUPID...and I will not fear it, I will not give it the attention it so desperately wants and needs...and I am going to go about my day...in pain, if need be. What the worst that happens, the muscle spasms more? BIG DEAL. I will not be scared".
I walk downstairs from the gym and deliberately do not take a cab home. This gives me time to reflect on my mode of thinking...to relax...to breathe and remain present...and to NOT touch it. Its also me convincing myself I can walk home...
It's now 3 hours later and I can tell you, the pain has subsided by about 90 percent. It's quite amazing.
The muscle is still in spasm and there's some pain there but I WILL NOT RUB IT. This will NOT turn into a multi-day affair of me laying on my couch feeling sorry for myself.
I wish I could do some psych testing on this theory-but I know it's the touching, the pressing, the physical playing around with the area of the spasm that I am convinced confirms the pain and efficacy of the spasm. It is critical in the first 20 minutes or so of a "pain attack" that you just leave it be...no matter how much you want to baby yourself and try to make it feel better.
*Guys-I am not a doctor...so obviously if you think you've done some serious damage to yourself, then go see a medical professional immediately.
However, if you know its TMS...if you know this is something you've "seen" before...try the above. Remind yourself to "think psychologically"...that the "pain is the emotion"...and that paradoxically, YOU have the most control, when you aren't trying to take control. I find the key to being all about accepting the situation and not fighting.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and pain-free Holiday Weekend.
-Avi
Ill try to keep this brief:
Been dealing with this TMS stuff for 20+ years and have had incredible success over the past 5 years with dealing with 90% of its iterations/equivalents. When I say I have experienced every equivalent and then some, I am not exaggerating. From every muscle spasm you can imagine, to losing the use of one my legs, hearing in one ear, all sorts of random skins issues, digestive issues...blah, blah, blah...and the list goes on, ad nauseum.
Of all of the above, no TMS iteration has been a bigger pain in my ass than muscle spasms. I'm talking, out of the clear blue sky, debilitating, knife in my neck/back/buttocks...that puts me out of the game for a good week. I'm talking laying on my couch, having downed muscle relaxers and painkillers, not moving a millimeter in the fear of aggravating the sharpest pain(s) I have ever experienced. Good Lord, I hate muscle spasms...
Anywho, a couple of years ago when a neck spasm hit from out of nowhere, I decided for the first time in my long and illustrious TMS career to do the opposite of what I usually do. What I usually do is: a) freak the F*ck out b) panic c) think I did irreparable damage d) baby , massage and "treat" the site of the spasm e) plan how I am going to deal with the upcoming next 5-7 days of misery(in that order)-
By doing the opposite, I mean I:
- Stopped what I was doing and just relaxed my whole body
- Thought to myself, "what could be bothering me right now"
- Told myself that I would not accept any pain and that I didn't need pain to divert my attention away from my emotions/thoughts
- That I will accept what is happening to me
- That I will NOT FEAR what is happening
- I will go on doing whatever the hell I was doing
Don't stretch, rub, massage, press or even touch the site of the pain!
Trust me, I realize how difficult it not to touch the site of the pain but I am convinced that giving that muscle any attention in the moments following the onset of the spasm is what seals the deal...and confirms to your brain that the TMS spasm is working.
That time years ago when I had that neck spasm? Oh I quickly grabbed my neck but then forced myself to just leave it alone and go one with what I was doing. No lies here, I was TERRIFIED but I focused on my breathing, positive thoughts and overall relaxation and the neck spasm dissipated over the course of the following two hours. This was a revelation to me.
Now, jump forward to two nights ago and I'm at my birthday dinner with a whole bunch of close friends. One of the topics of convo that pops us happens to have been started by two girlfriends of mine (who had just met at this dinner) and they are talking about the back spasms that they experienced this year and how they are now approaching their pains differently, after having read Sarno (introduced to them by yours truly).
I overhear the convo, jump in and randomly say "you know, I've had all sorts of spasms in my life but for some reason (thankfully) very few back spasms (kiss of death?). I go on to explain to them that I am and have been dealing with some chronic shoulder issues (that I know is TMS as well) and that I think it will soon completely go away.
I go to the gym this morning thinking to myself "holy shit, my shoulder isn't bothering me and I can wait to throw around some heavy weights!". That said, there was a part of me thinking "hmmm...I wonder where TMS will pop up next...".
So, it's leg day today, and I'm squatting...and BOOM...mid rep, lower back spasm, right by the coccyx bone. Super sharp pain, immobilized, panicked...already thinking my weekend is toast.
I MEAN WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT THIS IS A "REAL" INJURY CONSIDERING ALL OF THE ABOVE??
So, I reach around to my back prepared to dig my fingers into the spot where the pain is emanating from and I quickly stop myself-
I decide to myself in real time "NO. No confirming this pain by "treating/rubbing/massaging" this spasm".
Terrified (as per usual), I simply grab my stuff and head to the locker room.
As I do so, I am in a trance...talking to myself...saying "its ok, its TMS, you KNOW its TMS...because TMS is effective but QUITE STUPID...and I will not fear it, I will not give it the attention it so desperately wants and needs...and I am going to go about my day...in pain, if need be. What the worst that happens, the muscle spasms more? BIG DEAL. I will not be scared".
I walk downstairs from the gym and deliberately do not take a cab home. This gives me time to reflect on my mode of thinking...to relax...to breathe and remain present...and to NOT touch it. Its also me convincing myself I can walk home...
It's now 3 hours later and I can tell you, the pain has subsided by about 90 percent. It's quite amazing.
The muscle is still in spasm and there's some pain there but I WILL NOT RUB IT. This will NOT turn into a multi-day affair of me laying on my couch feeling sorry for myself.
I wish I could do some psych testing on this theory-but I know it's the touching, the pressing, the physical playing around with the area of the spasm that I am convinced confirms the pain and efficacy of the spasm. It is critical in the first 20 minutes or so of a "pain attack" that you just leave it be...no matter how much you want to baby yourself and try to make it feel better.
*Guys-I am not a doctor...so obviously if you think you've done some serious damage to yourself, then go see a medical professional immediately.
However, if you know its TMS...if you know this is something you've "seen" before...try the above. Remind yourself to "think psychologically"...that the "pain is the emotion"...and that paradoxically, YOU have the most control, when you aren't trying to take control. I find the key to being all about accepting the situation and not fighting.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and pain-free Holiday Weekend.
-Avi
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. So no choice then to lie down and take pills. My brain just got waaayyy more afraid than was before