Hello all,
My name is Corey. I have been dealing with low back pain/discomfort for some 5-6 years now. I was heavily into lifting weights and had hopes of competing in bodybuilding competitions. I initially injured my back squatting. It was on and off, at first, and has become more consistent in recent times. If I can be thankful for something, it has never been particularly debilitating (except mentally) - it basically feels like a snug belt is wrapped around me (tightness/pressure) almost constantly. This has caused perpetual worry of making things worse so I have largely laid off of lifting heavy weights. I opened the can of worms that is an MRI and have the typical herniated lumbar disc situation that many people do. No sciatica for the most part, although 2-3 days ago I started having a deep pain under my right glute/hamstring region. Great.
For the last 2 years I have been working hard on prerequisites in hopes of getting into Physical Therapy school (ironically). I am now finished with those and the opportunity has presented itself for me to get into a great (very competitive) school that is partnered with the Army. You can imagine why I am now even MORE worried about getting to the bottom of this issue. It is devastating to think that this could stand in the way of taking advantage of this opportunity. Most people would never imagine that I am going through this because I still have managed to stay in decent shape. Hence I think it's difficult for most people to understand my worry and frustration. Anyway, I don't really run and am going to need to start engaging in the type of conditioning conducive to military life. I am just so stuck on my problem being structural in nature that I am afraid.
Why I think TMS could be the reason? I have read that the typical person afflicted with TMS is a perfectionist, goodist, and someone that worries about things constantly. I am naturally a very skeptical person but this really stood out to me because these attributes fit me perfectly. I am constantly trying to be 10 steps ahead of everything, constantly trying to please people and watch what I say as not to be offensive, and always worry about "what-ifs". I WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING! Another thing to note is that I constantly catch myself breathing shallowly. It is as if I have forgotten to breath and subsequently take a deep breath. A form of anxiety?
HELP How should I go about this in a concise plan? I am most of the way through "Healing Back Pain" which took me MONTHS to read due to skepticism. I also have another book called "Back Sense" by Ronald Siegel that I plan to read. Where should I start after I complete these books? I saw the SEP and Alan Gordon's recovery program. I just do not want to spin my wheels and get lost in the wealth of info out there.
Sorry this is so long but I greatly appreciate any and all advice. The success stories are really encouraging as it seems people in worse off situations than mine are making complete turn-arounds!
My name is Corey. I have been dealing with low back pain/discomfort for some 5-6 years now. I was heavily into lifting weights and had hopes of competing in bodybuilding competitions. I initially injured my back squatting. It was on and off, at first, and has become more consistent in recent times. If I can be thankful for something, it has never been particularly debilitating (except mentally) - it basically feels like a snug belt is wrapped around me (tightness/pressure) almost constantly. This has caused perpetual worry of making things worse so I have largely laid off of lifting heavy weights. I opened the can of worms that is an MRI and have the typical herniated lumbar disc situation that many people do. No sciatica for the most part, although 2-3 days ago I started having a deep pain under my right glute/hamstring region. Great.
For the last 2 years I have been working hard on prerequisites in hopes of getting into Physical Therapy school (ironically). I am now finished with those and the opportunity has presented itself for me to get into a great (very competitive) school that is partnered with the Army. You can imagine why I am now even MORE worried about getting to the bottom of this issue. It is devastating to think that this could stand in the way of taking advantage of this opportunity. Most people would never imagine that I am going through this because I still have managed to stay in decent shape. Hence I think it's difficult for most people to understand my worry and frustration. Anyway, I don't really run and am going to need to start engaging in the type of conditioning conducive to military life. I am just so stuck on my problem being structural in nature that I am afraid.
Why I think TMS could be the reason? I have read that the typical person afflicted with TMS is a perfectionist, goodist, and someone that worries about things constantly. I am naturally a very skeptical person but this really stood out to me because these attributes fit me perfectly. I am constantly trying to be 10 steps ahead of everything, constantly trying to please people and watch what I say as not to be offensive, and always worry about "what-ifs". I WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING! Another thing to note is that I constantly catch myself breathing shallowly. It is as if I have forgotten to breath and subsequently take a deep breath. A form of anxiety?
HELP How should I go about this in a concise plan? I am most of the way through "Healing Back Pain" which took me MONTHS to read due to skepticism. I also have another book called "Back Sense" by Ronald Siegel that I plan to read. Where should I start after I complete these books? I saw the SEP and Alan Gordon's recovery program. I just do not want to spin my wheels and get lost in the wealth of info out there.
Sorry this is so long but I greatly appreciate any and all advice. The success stories are really encouraging as it seems people in worse off situations than mine are making complete turn-arounds!
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