[2015/05/10]
One month ago, I was given the book The Mindbody Prescription from a relative. Like most people, I was highly skeptical of what Dr. Sarno was advocating. But even if his understanding of what TMS is or how it causes pain is incorrect, I could not deny his results - thousands of people have found relief. But what really threw me off was that there were certain passages in that book that I would read, and then become emotional and/or anxious. My pain symptoms seemed to get worse along with these feelings. I finished the book, and I realized that TMS could very well be what I have. But I was lost. I didn't really know what to do with this knowledge.
Fast forward to a week ago, when I decided to do some searching for Dr. Sarno and TMS online, and I discovered the TMS Wiki, and then discovered Dr. Gordon's recovery program. Listening to some of the callers in his recorded therapy sessions, I began to identify with their personalities, habits, and symptoms. That sealed the deal, and today I take my first step through the SEP, and hopefully another step closer to my recovery.
For over a decade, I have dealt with arm, leg, and back pain. Bad elbows, bad shoulders, bad wrists.. bad everything. I can engage in virtually no leisure activities. No bowling, golfing, billiards, and most frustratingly, no juggling! (Juggling has been my passion ever since high school.) Without my orthopedic mouse, I could barely do my 40 hour a week desk job. I am so very thankful that I can do my job, and that I can live on my own and take care of myself for the most part, but fibromyalgia and lower back pain have significantly lowered my quality of life. And I want it back.
A life without TMS would be an amazing thing. I could finally start weight lifting and put on some muscle (instead of looking like a toothpick). I could go on backpacking trips without worrying about knee pain. I could practice juggling more frequently and finally make some progress on 7 ball juggling. But what life without TMS really means to me is empowerment. I can do all those things I listed above, or I could pick something else entirely different and start a new adventure. Speaking of adventures, day 1 down. Several to go. Let's do it!
One month ago, I was given the book The Mindbody Prescription from a relative. Like most people, I was highly skeptical of what Dr. Sarno was advocating. But even if his understanding of what TMS is or how it causes pain is incorrect, I could not deny his results - thousands of people have found relief. But what really threw me off was that there were certain passages in that book that I would read, and then become emotional and/or anxious. My pain symptoms seemed to get worse along with these feelings. I finished the book, and I realized that TMS could very well be what I have. But I was lost. I didn't really know what to do with this knowledge.
Fast forward to a week ago, when I decided to do some searching for Dr. Sarno and TMS online, and I discovered the TMS Wiki, and then discovered Dr. Gordon's recovery program. Listening to some of the callers in his recorded therapy sessions, I began to identify with their personalities, habits, and symptoms. That sealed the deal, and today I take my first step through the SEP, and hopefully another step closer to my recovery.
For over a decade, I have dealt with arm, leg, and back pain. Bad elbows, bad shoulders, bad wrists.. bad everything. I can engage in virtually no leisure activities. No bowling, golfing, billiards, and most frustratingly, no juggling! (Juggling has been my passion ever since high school.) Without my orthopedic mouse, I could barely do my 40 hour a week desk job. I am so very thankful that I can do my job, and that I can live on my own and take care of myself for the most part, but fibromyalgia and lower back pain have significantly lowered my quality of life. And I want it back.
A life without TMS would be an amazing thing. I could finally start weight lifting and put on some muscle (instead of looking like a toothpick). I could go on backpacking trips without worrying about knee pain. I could practice juggling more frequently and finally make some progress on 7 ball juggling. But what life without TMS really means to me is empowerment. I can do all those things I listed above, or I could pick something else entirely different and start a new adventure. Speaking of adventures, day 1 down. Several to go. Let's do it!
