New onset sciatica?

[TG957]

Hi @Hopeful_Alexandra
So to answer you, YES! TMS can hurt unbearably - I suggest you might read the book Defying The Verdict By Tamara Gurin ( @TG957 on this forum) who did not have siatica but another incredibly painful TMS condition and has recovered.

@Cactusflower , thank you for referring to my book! Actually, sciatica was one of the many TMS conditions that I had on and off before CRPS. Of course, my chronic sciatica pain is long gone. Occasionally, it sends me messages, but I give it my love and encouragement and get on with my life. It takes a while to calm the brain down, but that's the only thing that works.

 

[Cactusflower]

After doing a lot of work around the house the other day, I of course got a few sensations of siatica .... just like you, I mentioned I noticed it and also noticed why it might be showing up and reminded it all is well.

 

[JanAtheCPA]

@Hopeful_Alexandra, you're saying the right words (journaling, calming the nervous system) but I'm sorry to say that I don't feel any conviction whatsoever. As @Cactusflower has already pointed out:

you have and are still searching ONLY for the physical cause of your pain.

She also mentioned doing the TMS work, and I'm going to put you on the spot and ask: what TMS work have you really done? The SEP? Dr. Schubiner's Unlearn Your Pain workbook? Coaching or therapy? I would recommend one of the latter, because you are all over the place, and I can't get a sense that you have any kind of focus. Self-help alone might not do it for you.

A commitment to the mindbody connection really means understanding that we can use our minds to recover from ANYTHING. There is no discrete line that separates "TMS" from "not TMS". Every health professional who has worked with injury and illness knows that attitude and outlook make all the difference in the speed and efficacy of an individual patient's recovery.

We were designed to heal and recover. Today's modern world allows most of us live in circumstances that provide the time and expertise and safety to recover. Unfortunately, our modern world also provides innumerable sources of existential stress that our brains have misinterpreted to be life-threatenening, leading us to believe we have to retreat back into our caves to hide and avoid, which of course just turns into a vicious cycle of self-doubt, pressure, judgement, and repetitive stress. This is where you seem to be at.

I'll say it again: There is no discrete line that separates "TMS" from "not TMS". It's all on the same continuum, and it is our belief and faith in our own ability to self-heal that results in recovery, whether from purely psychologically-based symptoms, or from so-called "real" physical injuries and illness - and ALL of the many iterations and combinations in between those two extremes.

 

[BloodMoon]

have made an appointment with Dr. Stracks for next week. Side note, anyone have any experience with him?

See this posting for @Scott G's experience of seeing Dr. Stracks https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/therapist-suggestion.33550/page-3#post-172411

 

[Volcano1963]

Hi @Hopeful_Alexandra, you have gotten so many superb responses!
I’m looking forward to your next update.
You asked specifically about sciatica. Your situation is/was eerily similar to mine, even the dancing and reduction of pain with heavy prescription drugs. I won’t go into the details (unless you respond that you want them) of being paralyzed in bed with sciata pain for a week before i started reading Sarno and stories on this TMSwiki of people with much much worse TMS symptoms becoming pain free.
My MRI showed a bunch of worrisome conditions that according to Dr were causing my sciatica, especially the combination of a “sacral perineural cyst” and “Severe loss of disc height L5-S1”. Luckily i had committed to the TMSwiki SEP when i was asked what to have them do about the cyst. My sciatica pain had moved into my lower back and would routinely get worse on my way to physical therapy. I stopped physical therapy and now it’s gone. I’m now dealing with a nasty pre-sciatica TMS symptom(s). I’m following the suggestions given in response to your posts and the Dr Schubiner quote that BloodMoon posted:

"if when your brain gives you a pain or a fatigue or an anxiety sensation, it's also asking you a question. Are you okay? It's a protector. It's concerned about you. It's fearful. It's worried for you. It's reacting to some potential threat or harm, either emotional threat or harm or obvious potential physical harm. It's asking you the question, are you okay? And most people in chronic symptoms are saying, no, I'm not okay. I've got all these things wrong. I can't do this. I can't do that. My life is a shambles. I'm not okay. And this is changing that paradigm to say I actually am okay."...

 

[Hopeful_Alexandra]

Hi again everyone,

@JanAtheCPA

@Hopeful_Alexandra, you're saying the right words (journaling, calming the nervous system) but I'm sorry to say that I don't feel any conviction whatsoever. As @Cactusflower has already pointed out:
She also mentioned doing the TMS work, and I'm going to put you on the spot and ask: what TMS work have you really done? The SEP? Dr. Schubiner's Unlearn Your Pain workbook? Coaching or therapy? I would recommend one of the latter, because you are all over the place, and I can't get a sense that you have any kind of focus. Self-help alone might not do it for you.

A commitment to the mindbody connection really means understanding that we can use our minds to recover from ANYTHING. There is no discrete line that separates "TMS" from "not TMS". Every health professional who has worked with injury and illness knows that attitude and outlook make all the difference in the speed and efficacy of an individual patient's recovery.

When I first discovered TMS about 15 years ago, maybe less, I met with Schubiner in his office, received a diagnosis, did Schubiner's workbook, and also the audio meditations he provided. So that was the program I followed. When I've had intermittent issues over the years I've delved again into all the classic books, and I've largely kept up with meditating, using affirmations and trigger points, etc.
A couple of summers ago I started freewriting and ripping it up afterwards, and though I haven't kept up with this regularly, when the sciatica started a few weeks ago I again began journalling (using the Emotional Exploration tool that I've seen recommended), with meditation and affirmations.

@BloodMoon @Volcano1963 thanks also for your input, and the quote "...it's also asking you a question. Are you okay?..." really gets to the crux of what I'm sure is going on for me. I have been working on this for years-- the sense of not feeling safe--and I guess I've just gotta keep going!

Appointment with Dr. Stracks- an update and in case others are interested- he said my MRI results are fairly benign (showed L5 S1 degeneration, some stenosis, possible nerve compression with moderate to severe narrowing), not unusual for a 40 year old, and does not think they are the source of my pain. He said it's about a 90-95% emotional and 5-10% physical situation (he said his approach doesn't tend to break things down into "only physical" or "only TMS" as it's too black and white). The 5-10% bit was a bit confusing, but I think I understand what he meant: that I might occasionally get a back twinge with a lot of exertion but that it's not causing this degree of pain and disability. In the summary notes I received after the appointment, he stated I am 100% safe to treat this as a mind-body issue, not a disc issue. He said I should gradually resume full activity, with "gradual" recommended in order to build up confidence, not because there is something wrong with me.

He recommended any of the programs (I believe I gave Schubiner, Sachs, SteveO, and Dan Buglio as examples), their in-house program, or seeing one of their coaches.

Opinions on physio/PT- Dr. Stracks said I'm fine to continue with physio as long as I don't think that the physio holds the key to my getting better, rather as an overall program of regaining confidence in movement. HOWEVER, I did all of my exercises yesterday after feeling pretty good (the day after my appointment with Stracks) and woke up today in a lot more pain. I then remembered that part of how I got better other times, admittedly for much less severe pain, was specifically NOT doing physio or trying to work on my posture, correct a leg length "discrepancy" with a heel lift, etc. So I wonder if in my case continuing with the physio is not a wise idea.

Appreciate your help again, everyone!

 

[Scott G]

Hi again everyone,

@JanAtheCPA


When I first discovered TMS about 15 years ago, maybe less, I met with Schubiner in his office, received a diagnosis, did Schubiner's workbook, and also the audio meditations he provided. So that was the program I followed. When I've had intermittent issues over the years I've delved again into all the classic books, and I've largely kept up with meditating, using affirmations and trigger points, etc.
A couple of summers ago I started freewriting and ripping it up afterwards, and though I haven't kept up with this regularly, when the sciatica started a few weeks ago I again began journalling (using the Emotional Exploration tool that I've seen recommended), with meditation and affirmations.

@BloodMoon @Volcano1963 thanks also for your input, and the quote "...it's also asking you a question. Are you okay?..." really gets to the crux of what I'm sure is going on for me. I have been working on this for years-- the sense of not feeling safe--and I guess I've just gotta keep going!

Appointment with Dr. Stracks- an update and in case others are interested- he said my MRI results are fairly benign (showed L5 S1 degeneration, some stenosis, possible nerve compression with moderate to severe narrowing), not unusual for a 40 year old, and does not think they are the source of my pain. He said it's about a 90-95% emotional and 5-10% physical situation (he said his approach doesn't tend to break things down into "only physical" or "only TMS" as it's too black and white). The 5-10% bit was a bit confusing, but I think I understand what he meant: that I might occasionally get a back twinge with a lot of exertion but that it's not causing this degree of pain and disability. In the summary notes I received after the appointment, he stated I am 100% safe to treat this as a mind-body issue, not a disc issue. He said I should gradually resume full activity, with "gradual" recommended in order to build up confidence, not because there is something wrong with me.

He recommended any of the programs (I believe I gave Schubiner, Sachs, SteveO, and Dan Buglio as examples), their in-house program, or seeing one of their coaches.

Opinions on physio/PT- Dr. Stracks said I'm fine to continue with physio as long as I don't think that the physio holds the key to my getting better, rather as an overall program of regaining confidence in movement. HOWEVER, I did all of my exercises yesterday after feeling pretty good (the day after my appointment with Stracks) and woke up today in a lot more pain. I then remembered that part of how I got better other times, admittedly for much less severe pain, was specifically NOT doing physio or trying to work on my posture, correct a leg length "discrepancy" with a heel lift, etc. So I wonder if in my case continuing with the physio is not a wise idea.

Appreciate your help again, everyone!

Hey there Hopeful_Alexandra! I'm also a patient of Dr. Stracks (mentioned earlier in your thread) and it sounds like your session with him went well. As I believe he stated, 'gradual' is the key here with respect getting back to full activity. My feeling is that you should really ease off the PT to a VERY low level of exertion in the sessions - if not stopping them altogether on a temporary basis. I would continue to just see if you can get through a regular day of doing stuff (minus the PT), while at the same time starting your next program (whichever one you choose or, like me, a combination of different methods).

Remember: This isn't a race. There's no fire. Take it easy on yourself! It's no crime to ease up a bit on the physical stuff. Going back to a full PT routine most likely invited a newly conditioned response from your brain: "Oh, you're back at it again with vigor are you? Well, well, well. Let's just see about that, shall we!?" ZINGGG! LOL.

What program are you leaning towards? I think it's hilarious (and backs-up what I've said previously that Dr. Stracks is not out to just take your money) that he 'recommended' any of the programs you mentioned - before plugging Cormendi, lol. Having said that, I can highly recommend a session or two with Erica Walker - a pain coach at Cormendi - to kind of kick things off. She's pretty well versed in most methods, and I really enjoyed working with her. Ask Cormendi / Dr. Stracks if she'll do a free, 15min or so initial consultation so that she can hear your story and see if it's a good fit. It's not necessary by any means, but helped me to clarify and focus which practices I wanted to try first.

Take care! I'm still very early in my healing journey as well, so others around here will have a more seasoned viewpoint I'm sure!

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

So I wonder if in my case continuing with the physio is not a wise idea.

I wouldn't disregard this instinct.

I agree with the premise of gradually building to increase confidence, just in terms of the physio (in my view) I always think that the cons outweigh the pros (after getting the tick off that it is TMS, as you have from one of the leaders in the field). You know how to move, you were born to move, and no one is a greater expert on how to move in your own body than you - in fact you're the only expert on the planet when it comes to that (you have a however old you are head start in terms of experience). Personally, I don't see how going to someone else to give you confidence with how to move in your own body (there are exceptions when it comes to serious injuries of course and trauma) sends any message other than one of danger (just me, I appreciate that some will think PT is valid to build your confidence - but 99% of the time we go to a physio to fix something). There's nothing to fix (assuming it's TMS, there's not a posture problem for example). You know best in terms of how to build up your activity with confidence as you're the only one that knows your body and your mind (only you know how much is too much at this moment because only you know your belief levels at any given time). If there's no physical issue, I don't know what the physio is providing you that you don't have yourself (even if it's motivation and confidence, I'd suggest getting that somewhere else that doesn't carry the insinuation of a structural issue - the forum is great for that).

Remember: This isn't a race. There's no fire. Take it easy on yourself! It's no crime to ease up a bit on the physical stuff. Going back to a full PT routine most likely invited a newly conditioned response from your brain: "Oh, you're back at it again with vigor are you? Well, well, well. Let's just see about that, shall we!?" ZINGGG! LOL.

I don't want to nitpick because I agree with everything else, but I've seen this fear in a few people recently so I thought I'd comment (I might be interpreting what you wrote incorrectly and we actually agree, but even still I thought I'd make the point). I don't think the fear of creating a new conditioned response is necessary or valid. Conditioned responses are created in the environment of thinking there is something structurally/physically wrong. That's how almost 100% of us start out because virtually no one knows about TMS beforehand (at least before their first symptom, if there are further symptoms down the line then the knowledge may already be there). Pain gets linked to the activity because the activity (or position) is deemed to be dangerous, and the only reason (I'm talking about purely physical conditioned responses such as sitting) that happens is because we think (at least initially) there's something structurally wrong. Once you take that false belief away, there's no fuel for the creation of such a response. They only die once you're in the TMS mindset (and that's one reason why recovery rates are so high).

I just don't want anyone to fear creating a new conditioned response when they ramp up their physical activity, because as long as your belief in the TMS diagnosis is solid (it doesn't have to be perfect), that won't happen. Your brain can for sure react to the increase in physical activity with symptoms, almost as a way of asking whether we are sure this is safe (testing for our reaction), but to me that's not a conditioned response. A conditioned response entails you increased the exercise, and now pain is linked with that new level of activity, so every time you exercise now at that level it will be painful. That's quite fear provoking, but again, that's only going to lock in if you think the pain is caused by a structural issue that is getting flared by the activity.

More emotional conditioned response (if we are to call them that - all conditioned responses are emotional in a sense but just to distinguish between purely physical ones) such as pain when one goes to work, I suppose theoretically can be created during the recovery process (they're not usually created but rather exposed - so before you used to blame sitting on the pain because you sit all day at work, but as you go through recovery and start to build belief in the TMS diagnosis, you sit more outside of work hours and it hurts less, so it becomes obvious that work is the issue and not the sitting itself - the sitting was scapegoated) - but this isn't necessarily a bad thing as 1) it increases your belief in the TMS diagnosis, and 2) it directs your emotional work

 

[BloodMoon]

If there's no physical issue, I don't know what the physio is providing you that you don't have yourself (even if it's motivation and confidence, I'd suggest getting that somewhere else that doesn't carry the insinuation of a structural issue - the forum is great for that).

Yep! And, having been to non mind-body/TMS aware PTs before embarking on my journey out of mind-body/TMS, I know that the language they use can be terrifying to the brain, @Hopeful_Alexandra.

I learned the other day that it's called "pathoanatomic" language—terms describing normal wear, tear, or structural variation in phrases imply injury or abnormality, even though human bodies are naturally asymmetrical and robust. Such terminology causes totally unnecessary fear.

Some common terms that 'pathologize' normal bodies include:

• "Wear and tear" or "Degeneration": Implies the body is rusting or breaking down. In reality, age-related changes on scans (like mild disc bulging or joint wear) are entirely normal, much like wrinkles on your face.
• "Asymmetry" or "Imbalance": Suggests there is a "correct" way the body should look or move. No two bodies are perfectly symmetrical, and minor differences rarely cause pain.
• "Instability": Can sound like a joint is about to give way. Often, it simply means a joint might ideally need a little more strength or conditioning, not that it is structurally broken.
• "Stiffness" or "Tightness": Implies something is wrong with the tissue itself, when it usually just means your nervous system is temporarily limiting movement.
• "Poor posture": Places the blame for pain on how you sit or stand. Research shows there is no single "perfect" posture, and pain is more strongly linked to staying in one position for too long (so the latter is easily remedied by regularly doing such things as standing up from sitting and walking on the spot, stretching up and circling your arms for a few moments etc).
• "Weak core": Suggests your abdominal muscles are failing.

The other thing I found is that PTs can often 'prescribe' an enormous amount of repetition of movement in exercise drills. It may well be that you are able to do those repetitions because, after all, there is nothing wrong with your body, however, a sudden 'onslaught' like that can make the brain fearful and then it can create symptoms as a way of saying "Are you sure this is okay? Are you sure this is safe?" Again, this is totally unnecessary when you can just gradually get back into normal activity and exercise.

 

[JanAtheCPA]

I appreciate that some will think PT is valid to build your confidence - but 99% of the time we go to a physio to fix something)

The only PT that I strongly recommend is to find a Personal Trainer. A qualified trainer will basically take your entire body and start from scratch to build and enhance all aspects of your physical fitness from head to toe, and they will push you beyond your perceived limits in a safe and supervised environment.

Find someone who is age-appropriate and of your preferred gender. The trainer I saw starting at age sixty was in her late forties and specialized in older clients. I couldn't believe the things she had me doing which I found very scary, such as deadlifting 45 pounds and bench pressing 40 pounds, in my late sixties. Covid screwed everything up which is another story, but I'm still doing online cardio and strength and balance workouts and I have a regular almost daily routine with my ten-pound weight, which horrifies my friends

 

[TG957]

The only PT that I strongly recommend is to find a Personal Trainer. A qualified trainer will basically take your entire body and start from scratch to build and enhance all aspects of your physical fitness from head to toe, and they will push you beyond your perceived limits in a safe and supervised environment.

Find someone who is age-appropriate and of your preferred gender. The trainer I saw starting at age sixty was in her late forties and specialized in older clients. I couldn't believe the things she had me doing which I found very scary, such as deadlifting 45 pounds and bench pressing 40 pounds, in my late sixties. Covid screwed everything up which is another story, but I'm still doing online cardio and strength and balance workouts and I have a regular almost daily routine with my ten-pound weight, which horrifies my friends

Good for you, Jan! I started weight/cardio training with 5 pound hand weights, I am now at 10 lbs and LOVE it (of course, love it much more once the routine is over!). Thinking of moving to a larger weight, too!

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

The only PT that I strongly recommend is to find a Personal Trainer. A qualified trainer will basically take your entire body and start from scratch to build and enhance all aspects of your physical fitness from head to toe, and they will push you beyond your perceived limits in a safe and supervised environment.

For sure! Much more comfortable with personal trainers than physios (that PT) as everyone goes to them, injured or not

 

[Scott G]

@Adam Coloretti (coach) Hey Adam, yeah I think we are in agreement. I didn't phrase it very well. I meant that the new physical activity might generate a conditioned response, but that's okay. Nothing to fear, and nothing to celebrate. Just another opportunity to do the work!

I'm still struggling quite a bit with conditioned responses. Like first opening my eyes when waking up, on my back, not even conscious yet....and suddenly a pinch at L5/L4. LOL That's a remnant from before I knew this was TMS: going to bed and DREADING waking up and feeling that pinch first thing; convinced that I'd done something physical that day in which I shouldn't have, and just knowing it was going to happen. Then, sure enough, it would happen.

Thankfully it's more rare now, but still hits me every now and then. The brain not being able to fully let go yet - even when I'm not thinking about that pinch the day or night before!

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

That's a remnant from before I knew this was TMS: going to bed and DREADING waking up and feeling that pinch first thing; convinced that I'd done something physical that day in which I shouldn't have, and just knowing it was going to happen. Then, sure enough, it would happen.

Exactly! That's all they are remnants - and it will get weaker and weaker as time goes (knowing it's TMS and reacting accordingly), as it is already doing

 

[Hopeful_Alexandra]

Yep! And, having been to non mind-body/TMS aware PTs before embarking on my journey out of mind-body/TMS, I know that the language they use can be terrifying to the brain, @Hopeful_Alexandra.

I learned the other day that it's called "pathoanatomic" language—terms describing normal wear, tear, or structural variation in phrases imply injury or abnormality, even though human bodies are naturally asymmetrical and robust. Such terminology causes totally unnecessary fear.
The other thing I found is that PTs can often 'prescribe' an enormous amount of repetition of movement in exercise drills. It may well be that you are able to do those repetitions because, after all, there is nothing wrong with your body, however, a sudden 'onslaught' like that can make the brain fearful and then it can create symptoms as a way of saying "Are you sure this is okay? Are you sure this is safe?" Again, this is totally unnecessary when you can just gradually get back into normal activity and exercise.

Hi @BloodMoon and others, yes! Oh man, I have been told all of these things, I think, by physiotherapists over the years. The one I'm seeing right now (well, HAD been seeing) mentioned strengthening my core, and while I'm not opposed to getting stronger generally speaking, what I have a problem with is the implication that a "weak core" caused my back issue. I do (or did) plenty of core-intensive exercise (yoga, fitness classes, mountain biking) so it's hard to imagine that being something other than the pathoanatomic language you're describing.

Speaking of physio, I tried to walk to my appointment today without my cane (about 500 m) and either it was too much or too soon. Worse, though, was the pain on my return journey, so I suspect there's something to my instincts about physio ( @Adam Coloretti (coach) and @JanAtheCPA!) . I've also starting seeing a telltale sign: the exercises seem to cause symptom flares. I'm ceasing physio and all exercises as of this evening.

@Adam Coloretti (coach) I'm glad you said that belief in TMS has to be solid but not perfect. I think I'm struggling with the 5-10% physical that Dr. Stracks mentioned. It was also helpful that you reminded us he's a top TMS doc, so when he told me I can treat this is a TMS issue, I should feel confident doing so... even though part of me struggles with getting the image of damaged nerves and bulging discs out of my head.

@Scott G thank for your words of encouragement. I'm not sure about which program to do. I've emailed Cormendi about connecting with one of their coaches, but in the meantime I've kept up with journalling, somatic tracking, and trying to move a bit more each day. Maybe I'll get Schubiner's new book as it helped a lot the first time. However, I can see already that I'm putting pressure on myself to HEAL!

Be well, all.

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

so I suspect there's something to my instincts about physio

Makes a lot of sense and I can relate!

I think I'm struggling with the 5-10% physical that Dr. Stracks mentioned.

If I'm honest, I think I'd feel the same. I don't think there's any harm in asking for clarification on that, it could help massively.

It was also helpful that you reminded us he's a top TMS doc, so when he told me I can treat this is a TMS issue, I should feel confident doing so...

Absolutely - if I had to name the 10 most renowned TMS practitioners worldwide off the top of my head (and he's a doctor too so he gets a bonus) he'd easily make that list.

even though part of me struggles with getting the image of damaged nerves and bulging discs out of my head.

That's actually a good insight, and something that's important to address. I just wanted to confirm though, you said it was degeneration and stenosis on this most recent MRI. No herniated disc though? It seems as if it healed itself? Should give you confidence, as what the body needs to heal it almost always will heal. I wouldn't stay with the bulging disc image in your head, as from that scan you don't have a bulging disc!

Also, 68% of 40 year old people with no pain whatsoever scanned (in a 2015 study) had disc degeneration - like Dr Stracks said - it seems like a completely normal scan

 

[Hopeful_Alexandra]

Hi again, I’ve emailed to ask for clarification about the 5-10% bit. I wish it didn’t bother me so much, but my OCD won’t let it go.

@Adam Coloretti (coach) sorry, it did show hernations/bulges as well as all the other issues mentioned. The MRI from about 15 years ago, showed degenerative disc disease, and at least one herniation (L5 S1). The latest showed about the same plus the aubarticular narrowing and possible nerve impingement (of course, the technology has improved dramatically in that time so I wonder if some of the latest issues could actually have been there all along and just not detected on the first round).

 

[Hopeful_Alexandra]

Hi again everyone,
I think I’m in a bad spiral. I had been making moderate progress (sitting at my desk, walking around the block) and then Thursday I had a presentation at work with a hugely triggering person. (It was virtual). Partway through what had been mild discomfort escalated into searing pain and I had to leave the meeting early). The next four hours I writhed and screamed and maxed out on pain meds so we phoned an ambulance. My leg was in total spasm. The medics, over the course of almost an hour, helped me get out of the spasm with stretching. My husband and I spent the next day obsessively stretching my leg and hip which I think led to more pain as a rebound effect.

Since then I also have numbness in my foot which really worries me— Stracks had just reassured me the day before about this being a mind body problem, but that was before the numbness and now I’m wondering if his assessment would change. ?
Thank you so much, I’m quite scared

 

[Scott G]

Hi again everyone,
I think I’m in a bad spiral. I had been making moderate progress (sitting at my desk, walking around the block) and then Thursday I had a presentation at work with a hugely triggering person. (It was virtual). Partway through what had been mild discomfort escalated into searing pain and I had to leave the meeting early). The next four hours I writhed and screamed and maxed out on pain meds so we phoned an ambulance. My leg was in total spasm. The medics, over the course of almost an hour, helped me get out of the spasm with stretching. My husband and I spent the next day obsessively stretching my leg and hip which I think led to more pain as a rebound effect.

Since then I also have numbness in my foot which really worries me— Stracks had just reassured me the day before about this being a mind body problem, but that was before the numbness and now I’m wondering if his assessment would change. ?
Thank you so much, I’m quite scared

I'm still pretty new at this, but I'll try and offer some advice in this distressing time for you!

Stay STRONG! Trust in Dr. Strack's assessment. The fact that this was triggered by a person on a virtual call - in your own words - is all the proof you need that this is TMS at work. As the anxiety and pain ramped up, your brain is just reading even more danger signals. Obsessively stretching the next day? That's another massive DANGER signal that your brain is reading and, in order to keep you safe, it keeps the pain ramped up and then adds numbness for good measure!


Note: there's nothing inherently wrong with stretching or physical activity after a symptom episode. The key is to not expect it to help. It sounds bizarre, but it's called OUTCOME INDEPENDENCE = something that Dr. Stracks and every other mindbody expert will affirm is important to maintain. More below on that...

When I feel triggered - something that might lead to my brain deciding to throw me a symptom or two or three - the first thing I do is say to my brain "It's okay. There's no danger. We are safe. I know you might be getting ready to protect me with a symptom, but just know you don't have to. We are okay. We are safe." More times than not, this now works. You can always try the same. Remember, do NOT expect or demand the pain to subside. Have ZERO expectations whatsoever. You are just having a pleasant and reassuring conversation with your brain. That's it. Putting any pressure at all for your brain to start doing something is merely more danger signals that it will read.

Stay Strong! We are all here for you!

 

[Diana-M]

@Hopeful_Alexandra
This can easily be TMS. Numbness seems to accompany so many cases, it’s almost commonplace. I guess the biggest hurdle we all have to get over is: can our mind-body really do this to us? And the answer is yes. Yes. It can! It was helpful for me to read of other people’s extreme symptoms. And then, I came to believe that my TMS brain/inner child was screaming very loudly for me to change my life.