I know the pain in my forearms is TMS- but is the hand stiffness also TMS?

Hi there,

I have developed tendonitis in both forearms and hands immediately following the covid vaccine in March of 2021. I saw a million doctors and had tons of blood tests, everything came back normal and was determined to just be tendonitis. I have dealt with pain on and off in both forearms and finally realized last year the pain turned into TMS pain. I have been able to resolve the pain through working with a chronic pain PT and gradient exercise.

BUT the one thing still plagues me scares/frustrates me the most, is the hand stiffness I wake up with after "overdoing" it. i.e. I push myself too hard in physical therapy, or I do too much grip training, etc.

I have a very mild trigger finger in both pinky fingers and just generalized tendon stiffness in my hands that is worse upon waking. If I completely rest and do not do any strenuous actives with my hands, the stiffness goes away, if I "overdo" it the stiffness comes back. I have zero pain in my hands.

Am I having a hard time believing the stiffness can be TMS and not be structural. Although, I know I have TMS pain in my forearms and my forearms are connected to my hands so maybe it can be TMS??

 

Alexandra,

Since the doctors are calling it all "tendonitis," then it is most likely all TMS.

Your apprehension about what it could be is keeping you walking with a foot in each world: one where you're going for PT and the other where you want to believe in TMS.

As long as you are going to PT, you are sending your brain the message that something is literally wrong with you and needs treatment.

the TMS principles is that...yes, you do feel the pain....but it is your brain sending you signals of pain...not a structural or muscular issue.

I think it would really help you to watch Dan Buglio's "Pain Free You" videos on YouTube. He is very good at explaining how your belief system is crucial to healing.

What helped me cross out of thinking I needed a physical treatment is to say to myself daily, "I am 100% willing to believe that this is psychological." That kept my brain from constantly searching for a remedy.

You have to commit to the TMS belief for your brain to relax.

Marcia

 

I think the reason I am struggling is not because the primary symptom I feel is pain, but stiffness. I know the forearm pain I experience is curable with my mind I have done the work to cure it. But the residual stiffness seems to remain when I start being active again.

 

Thank you! I was hoping for a clear and concise response like, "Thus, there is no distinction between pain and stiffness. It's really that simple!". I so appreciate your detailed response, that was very helpful.