Some advice would be amazing!

[jos]

Hi!

I really hope you could take some time to help and advise me!

I'm a 25 year old man from The Netherlands, suffering from lower back pain for 2 years now (haven't played sports, danced et cetera). It started when my life was quite stressful. I couldn't walk normally and it was (is) awful. I had a lot of trigger points in my butt muscles because of the strange way I was walking after the initial onset of the pain (I made the mistake not to use painkillers). Now, after two years I'm doing much better (less pain on the right side, almost no pain in my legs), but the pain in my left butt comes back again and again and again (maybe 10 times I thought I was fully recovered). The specialists don't really undestand what's wrong, expect one thing: the endorotation of my left leg/hip is not good, it's too tight. So there's an imbalance compared to my right leg. The problem is that after they've fixed it, it tightens back up. Today my physio (back expert) said it's time for me to go to an orthopedic surgeon and get an MRI at the hospital (this happened today after I was in a lot of pain when he was treating me and I started crying because I'm afraid/anxious/confused).

I know about TMS and learned that what they find on an MRI is often unrelated to the source of the pain, so I'm not sure what to do... My physio says I shouldn't just look into the psychological aspect, he thinks there actually is a problem. I've played a lot of sports so he could be right, but I don't know (I think there really is something wrong because when I'm in pain, I almost can't walk. Probably my main question is whether a TMS patient can have that kind of problem? Not being able to walk, let alone run, if I would try to run I would just fall because the butt muscle is extremely tight. I few months ago I ran for a bit and that was ok, but when the pain is there, I think I can't 'push through'). I have a jumpers knee, left leg, so that could also be contributing (probably not).

BUT: I've had a lot of trouble with RSI, I was/am anxious/neurotic, I care a lot about what other people think, I'm sensitive, shy, I know TMS is an option. Thinking differently helped me a lot with my RSI and mindfulness also helps me. I'm not sure what's the wise thing to do right now, I know about the concept of TMS and my pain is still there. The MRI is on the 3th of may. I'm ready to look into the unconscious emotions I'm repressing but don't really know how. Is it true that hypnotherapy is the easiest way? Or am I making a mistake by starting to ignore the pain?

I feel like I'm alone in this complicated journey, I would be great if an expert would give me some pointers in the right direction.

Thank you!

Jos

PS. I have a lot more information of course, I you need additional info or find anything unclear, please let me know.

 

[FredAmir]

Hi Jos,

No harm to check for cancer or other physical causes, which constitute 1% of such cases.

If the MRI results indicate spinal abnormalities then you can relax and focus on TMS.

I had many of the same symptoms. Take a look the video on my homepage below and read the testimonials for additional information. You might recover rapidly and not need an MRI after all.

 

[Andy Bayliss]

Hello Jos, and Welcome!

I like Fred's advice which is "eliminate something very serious," then proceed with a TMS-type approach. Whatever they tell you with the MRI, you will have to ignore it, unless it is something very serious. The problem with the MRI and physical vs TMS approach is that, like you are finding, all the practitioners are "physically based." So you have to take what they are saying in that light. Don't believe most of what they say...

Many people have reported very tight muscles as part of TMS.

I'm ready to look into the unconscious emotions I'm repressing but don't really know how.

I would suggest you undertake the free programs at the Wiki:
The TMS Recovery Program
and then the Structured Education Program.

Both guide you through processes which allow you to explore your feelings.

Andy B

 

[Gigi]

Welcome, Jos!
After you rule out something more serious, you may want to try the Structured Education Program, free on this wiki. I too have had muscles so tight that a chiropractor once told me he'd never seen anything like it! After working my way through the SEP, I felt like I got my life back.
Blessings on your journey.

 

[Tennis Tom]

What TMS books have you read?

 

[Orion2012]

TMS can definitely cause extreme muscle tightness!

 

[jos]

Thanks everyone for replying, I’m grateful!

It’s so weird for me not to listen to practitioners (Andy B), I’m a sports fanatic and quite physically based. I’ve tried every complicated foam roll/strengthening/deep abdominal wall exercises possible.

I have e-mailed a therapist who works with Sarno’s ideas in my hometown, I definitely want to give that a try, since it can do no harm and might help with other complaints like RSI. Besides or after that I could work on the TMS recovery program, I do think speaking to someone in person is beneficial.

Trying out the basic TMS stuff today was interesting:

Normally when I’m in pain I get anxious and it gets worse. Now, I still feel pain but just continue with what I’m doing and think about the old-strong me, about the fact that it’s something psychological etc. The pain moves around a bit but today it didn’t become awful, because I wasn’t anxious or sad about the pain.

Tennis Tom – I’m reading ‘the divided mind’ right now, am at page 100. I haven’t read his earlier work (yet?).

Thanks Orion2012. It’s just such a new idea for me, that psychosomatic symptoms can be that serious. Currently I’m just experimenting with TMS, while the 3th of may (MRI) comes closer. If I feel amazing by then, I might cancel it, otherwise I’ll just do it to make sure I’m doing the right thing here.

Thanks again.