Triggers, pain, what to do?

[Jackson1956]

Hello- I’m about 3 weeks in & doing good in the sense I’m being very active with little to know symptoms when hiking, road biking, Mnts biking & fly fishing. I’ve been diagnosed with deg. disc & Spinal Stenosis and that’s the cause of nerve pain in lower legs. Heavy fear, anxiety and been on edge for 18 months. I believe it’s TMS, as I’ve had many other issues while essentially doing nothing (shoulder, neck, heart burn, glute and carpal tunnel). It seems that my nerve pain comes up when I sit down, always goes away or lessens when I move. I have sways been very active and had this fear I won’t be able to do the things I love. I think It’s possible I have conditioned the brain for pain when I sit. That’s my main trigger. And when it goes from just a “sensation” to pain, I focus on it. Does anyone have a suggestion how to deal with that trigger?

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Hi Jackson, and welcome.

The key is to change the message. "Hear" the negative message that anticipates pain, and change that to a new message which is constructive and positive. Not fake "happy face" positive, but something that is true. Such as: "Hey brain, you're anticipating pain before there is pain, and that's not necessary! Let's visualize having no pain upon sitting - or having the pain go away quickly, because there's no reason for it!"