Alex B. RSI and TMS

[Guest]

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Question

I had TMS in my back for 8 years. Found the book last year, it saved my life. Now I am worried I wont be able to once again have a normal life because of the RSI symptoms I am experiencing every time I type or write or drive or even brush my teeth. I have read the section on Carpel tunnel in the MindBody Prescription but have not experienced relief. Any advice of different sections to read or how to be able to type or write again without extreme discomfort. My symptoms are a numbness/tingling from my elbow to my pinky and ring finger, often in my left arm (dominant) but also often switching sides or in both sides.

 

[Alex Bloom LCSW]

Answer

Hi and thanks for the question.

Let's start with some good news: RSI is a very common TMS symptom. I've seen it in many of my clients and it is definitely something that can be managed. Secondly, your pain seems to be variable and it's moving around and changing a lot. This is one of the surest signs that what you're dealing with is psychogenic, i.e. TMS. So, to reiterate, it seems very likely indeed that what you are experiencing is the result not of damage to your body, hands and arms, but rather something that is going on internally.

It seems as though you have a fairly strong conditioned response with regards to typing and writing. This can happen when a certain activity becomes associated with pain and symptoms. You begin to fear that every time you undertake these activities the pain will come in and make things miserable. You start to expect it and even look for it. This is essentially like opening the door for pain. Part of overcoming TMS involves questioning and challenging the pain - when you expect it, when it arrives and you aren't in the least surprised, it becomes that much more difficult to really question and confront it.

Finally, you don't mention here if you've taken this step or not, but seeing a physician who's familiar with TMS could be helpful. They might be able to give you some clarity and peace of mind with regards to whether you have structural issues that can account for your symptoms or not.

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[Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)]

Guest, I like the reply you got from Alex Bloom. You seem to have gotten a conditioned reflex,
associating hand pain with typing or daily personal care activities. Another person posted about
the same problem today and my advice to them and you is the same: deprogram your mind
that your pain is associated with an activity. Accept the pain, then use distractions to get it out
of your mind. And keep working to discover the repressed emotion(s) that cause the pain.

Take time out to enjoy the day. Find things to do and think about that can take you to a happier state of mind.
I find that relaxation videos on Youtube are great for that. I watch them while deep breathing.

I've also recently discovered how relaxing it is to rub a little Vicks Vaporub on my temples and forehead
and under my eyes and nose. It's a very comforting self-massage, and while doing it I tell myself
that any stress is from TMS.