Hello,
I am on Day 10. I skipped a few days this week- We had guests at our house, and then I camped over night. I feel like I am improving, but there are still doubts. My pain has mostly moved from my back and neck to my shoulder since starting this program. The pain isn't as persistent as before, so I am grateful for that. I can still catch myself doubting if this will work, or hedging my bets against it. At the same time, I do feel like I am becoming more confident in the diagnosis (self) and treatment. The fact that my years of back and neck pain has switched to my shoulder seems like an obvious sign. The first few days, I felt like I could almost control the pain, turn it off, or down by thinking about my emotions. I am still working on a mantra, or something I can rely on when I start feeling pain. Sometimes it feels like I am overwhelmed/defeated when it returns, and I allow it to steamroll me. I want something that is almost automatic- "okay, your back/neck/shoulder is hurting- it is not structural! You are hiding from an emotion. What are you hiding from? What are you feeling right now? Etc."
When I was reading Dr. Sarno's book, before this program, I started asking myself, what is the worst that c an happen about some of the issues I am facing. Listing them and thinking about it, and realizing that none of them were that bad was helpful.
I avoided going for a second run the last two mornings, because I am afraid that my knee will hurt again. I know that I am still having doubts about it being TMS. When my wife comes back tomorrow, I will try to get out for another 1 mile run to face my fear. I want to do a longer bike ride soon as well, and face my shoulder pain.
I am enjoying the journaling and introspection. I think it is helpful, and making me a better person. I hope this will continue to improve, and I think it will have even bigger effects than just eliminating chronic pain.
Thanks.
I am on Day 10. I skipped a few days this week- We had guests at our house, and then I camped over night. I feel like I am improving, but there are still doubts. My pain has mostly moved from my back and neck to my shoulder since starting this program. The pain isn't as persistent as before, so I am grateful for that. I can still catch myself doubting if this will work, or hedging my bets against it. At the same time, I do feel like I am becoming more confident in the diagnosis (self) and treatment. The fact that my years of back and neck pain has switched to my shoulder seems like an obvious sign. The first few days, I felt like I could almost control the pain, turn it off, or down by thinking about my emotions. I am still working on a mantra, or something I can rely on when I start feeling pain. Sometimes it feels like I am overwhelmed/defeated when it returns, and I allow it to steamroll me. I want something that is almost automatic- "okay, your back/neck/shoulder is hurting- it is not structural! You are hiding from an emotion. What are you hiding from? What are you feeling right now? Etc."
When I was reading Dr. Sarno's book, before this program, I started asking myself, what is the worst that c an happen about some of the issues I am facing. Listing them and thinking about it, and realizing that none of them were that bad was helpful.
I avoided going for a second run the last two mornings, because I am afraid that my knee will hurt again. I know that I am still having doubts about it being TMS. When my wife comes back tomorrow, I will try to get out for another 1 mile run to face my fear. I want to do a longer bike ride soon as well, and face my shoulder pain.
I am enjoying the journaling and introspection. I think it is helpful, and making me a better person. I hope this will continue to improve, and I think it will have even bigger effects than just eliminating chronic pain.
Thanks.
