Hi guys,
I am a 24 year old male. In September 2017 I injured myself at the gym by doing heavy core work. It slowly got worse over time and in March 2018 the pain was so severe in my lower back that I had to quit my job. I was bedridden and depressed. I had an MRI which showed a fairly normal spine (small bulging disc L5/S1, some mild stenosis and facet degeneration). I saw 3 neurosurgeons and they all said that my spine is fine and that my problem is most likely muscular. It really frustrated me at the time because I was in so much pain and couldn't accept the fact that my disc was not necessarily causing the pain.
After months of physio and other therapies without much success (slow improvement), I came across Sarno's book Healing Back Pain. This was in November 2018. I remember that I had a complete epiphany and that the week following this discovery, my pain went away about 80%. However it slowly came back and since then its been a roller coaster. Some weeks I am almost pain free (never completely pain free), but some others like this week I am agonizing in bed. I am trying so hard to think psychologically and apply the TMS techniques but it is really frustrating that the pain always comes back.
I am trying to push through the pain, I started doing cardio work again so at least I have that going on. I am generally a naturally anxious individual and a perfectionist. I always put so much pressure on myself and I realize that. I realize that a lot of flare ups are immediately following stressful events. A month ago I was offered a business opportunity. I was so happy but at the same time subconsciously stressed because of all the responsibilities that it will involve. 30 min after the offer I was waiting for the subway and my back completely locked up all of the sudden, with terrible sciatica in my left leg. 3 days after the pain almost vanished suddenly.
It's always like this, ups and downs and I am getting really frustrated that I can't make this go away for good. Any tips on how to get out of this vicious cycle?
Thank you all,
Mihai
I am a 24 year old male. In September 2017 I injured myself at the gym by doing heavy core work. It slowly got worse over time and in March 2018 the pain was so severe in my lower back that I had to quit my job. I was bedridden and depressed. I had an MRI which showed a fairly normal spine (small bulging disc L5/S1, some mild stenosis and facet degeneration). I saw 3 neurosurgeons and they all said that my spine is fine and that my problem is most likely muscular. It really frustrated me at the time because I was in so much pain and couldn't accept the fact that my disc was not necessarily causing the pain.
After months of physio and other therapies without much success (slow improvement), I came across Sarno's book Healing Back Pain. This was in November 2018. I remember that I had a complete epiphany and that the week following this discovery, my pain went away about 80%. However it slowly came back and since then its been a roller coaster. Some weeks I am almost pain free (never completely pain free), but some others like this week I am agonizing in bed. I am trying so hard to think psychologically and apply the TMS techniques but it is really frustrating that the pain always comes back.
I am trying to push through the pain, I started doing cardio work again so at least I have that going on. I am generally a naturally anxious individual and a perfectionist. I always put so much pressure on myself and I realize that. I realize that a lot of flare ups are immediately following stressful events. A month ago I was offered a business opportunity. I was so happy but at the same time subconsciously stressed because of all the responsibilities that it will involve. 30 min after the offer I was waiting for the subway and my back completely locked up all of the sudden, with terrible sciatica in my left leg. 3 days after the pain almost vanished suddenly.
It's always like this, ups and downs and I am getting really frustrated that I can't make this go away for good. Any tips on how to get out of this vicious cycle?
Thank you all,
Mihai
