I have been dealing with sciatic pain in my left leg for over a year. My pain has been concentrated in the back of my upper thigh. I received a medical diagnosis of degenerative disc disease and it was recommended that I have steroid injections. I was not ready to go that route because my physical activity had not been curtailed and I was handling the pain through massage, chiropractic manipulation, icing, heat, and physical therapy. However, none of these medical interventions were long lasting. Along the way of dealing with this issue, I discovered the work of Dr. John Sarno. I ordered his book, "Healing Back Pain." Some of the personality traits that he describes of TMS sufferers fits me. I'm not a perfectionist but have always been overly conscientious. I have discovered in myself a fear of failure or lack of confidence when starting new assignments. In the past, I have dealt with some anxiety issues mainly in relationship to my expected performance. I recognize that I have developed a conditioned response and associate sitting with my pain. I also have become preoccupied with the discomfort, and it occupies a lot of my thoughts. I'm ready for a different focus.