Q&A: How do I know my pain is not being caused by my bulging disc?
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Answer by Georgie Oldfield, MCSP | |
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This is a common question which concerns many people, not surprisingly when we consider that we have all grown up with the concept that pain is due to physical causes. As a Physiotherapist, one of the main reasons I began looking for another answer to the cause of pain was because I had a number of patients who had structural diagnoses, including ‘slipped discs' (some very severe) and who, after my hands on treatments went off pain free. In fact a handful in the years before I came across TMS removed themselves from the list for surgery. I became more and more bemused by this and wasn't happy to just accept that it sometimes happened, but no-one knew why! As I began to question it I came across the numerous studies done looking at MRI and CAT scans of people with and without back pain, all of them showing that most structural ‘abnormalities' found on these scans are found just as often in people without pain. This link takes you to another question I answered earlier this year where I noted down some of the studies that support this. http://tmswiki.wikifoundry.com/thread/2882414/TMS+or+Truly+a+bulging+disk%3F The TMS concept explains how the pain is caused and in the past 2½ years I have ‘treated' nearly all patients who have attended with a ‘bulging/slipped' disc on my TMS Recovery Programme. Remember, this is not a physical treatment, but information and advice to re-educate people as to how their pain is caused, yet the results have been consistently better than I have ever had before. Abnormalities in the spine, such as a bulging disc, are considered to be ‘normal' abnormalities and the fact that yours was found when they were trying to find a physical cause of your pain, would have been coincidental. It is common for someone to be told that their bulging disc ‘may or may not be' causing the pain, when the signs of pressure on a nerve are not obvious, but the Specialist is unable to provide any other explanation. Remember, any medical practitioner will give you a diagnosis based on the understanding they have, but unfortunately most don't know about TMS. If you have not seen a TMS Specialist yet, I would suggest that this may help with your acceptance of the diagnosis, but meanwhile reviewing all the information and reading some of the research studies may help further. -- It is important to recognize that no information on this wiki can be considered a specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. Reading information here does not create a doctor/patient or other professional relationship between you and the answering professional. As always, you should consult with your physicians and counselors regarding new symptoms and any changes that you might make in medications or activities. | |
Answer by Barbara Kline, LCSW | |
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Barbara Kline's Survey Response / Profile Page |
I agree with Georgie on this and would like to add some thoughts of my own. I am assuming you have seen a doctor and he/she has ruled out something serious such as cancer. You mention that you only get the pain when you have a strenuous workout. Dr. Sarno suggests that getting pain with activity can have a learned component. Once you experience pain doing something, you will expect to experience it the next time you do that activity (he mentioned sitting)and so you do. What I am offering is similar to systematic desensitization. Try taking "baby steps." That is, start slowly and allow yourself only 5 mintues of working out with each session. Do this for a week and if you do not experience any pain, the next week increase it to 10 minutes. The next week increase to 15, etc. Doing it this way will give you confidence and with this confidence will come a pain free workout. Some people are able to push through the pain but most of the clients I work with need to take it slowly so as not to scare themselves which will increase the pain. This will also give you a sense of control as you will tell your body when to start exercising and when to stop. You will not be letting the pain determine when you stop. Having this control can be very powerful and will work in your favor. That is why it is important to stop BEFORE you experience pain. However, doing it this way takes a lot of patience (something you might not be used to). This pain cycle could be a way that your body is telling you that you need to slow down in other areas of your life also. You might need the help of a TMS therapist to guide you through this. I hope this helps. -- It is important to recognize that no information on this wiki can be considered a specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. Reading information here does not create a doctor/patient or other professional relationship between you and the answering professional. As always, you should consult with your physicians and counselors regarding new symptoms and any changes that you might make in medications or activities. |
Other Resources
- How do I know when it's safe to resume normal activities?
- Diagnosed with bulging disc and afraid of hurting myself
- Overcoming fear of a structural diagnosis
- Can I really ignore the crippling pain of TMS?
- TMS frequently asked questions
| DISCLAIMER: The TMS Wiki is for informational and support purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. See Full Disclaimer. |
