Alex B. TMS's strategy

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Question

Why does TMS always seem to go the place in my body I'm most worried that I might have hurt or injured?

 

Answer

This is a good question and very common experience. As I see it there are two main reasons why this phenomenon is so common. The first reason is that this is where the pain is the most effective! Remember, the "purpose" behind the pain is to keep you anxious, preoccupied and distracted. The pain is therefore going to be most effective at accomplishing those tasks by attacking the places in your body where you are most vulnerable. This is closely tied to the phenomenon of TMS pain manifesting in a place where there was previously an actual structural injury that has since healed. You are already anxious and nervous about that spot, say for example your ankle. You're aware of it's vulnerability, you take steps to protect it, you don't run, etc. You're already preoccupied before the TMS pain. The pain simply builds on the anxiety that is already present. It's basically taking the path of least resistance towards making you anxious.

The second reason is something that some people refer to as "priming". By expecting the pain to be in a certain place, you are actually opening the door for it to manifest. Because you expect it, it is that much less surprising when it comes and you are then less likely to question it. Again, this makes pain in these areas all the more effective at keeping you preoccupied and distracted. If the pain were to manifest itself in a place that you had never experienced discomfort, it would be much easier to dismiss it as an aberration. You could quickly mark it up to a "tweak" or a bad step and then forget about it. Not very "effective". But if it manifests in a place you are already nervous about? Jackpot. You'll be totally consumed by fear and apprehension.

One of the hardest parts of overcoming TMS is accepting the diagnosis and the fact that your pain is not a structural problem. This is all the more true when it is located in a place where it "makes sense" for you to be in pain. But there is a logic to this and it is important to keep in mind as you remind yourself that you don't in fact have to be afraid.

Thanks for the great question.

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Alex, you give great advice. Don't let the pain be the big thing in one's life.
I like to distract myself with pleasant thoughts and experiences.

 

Alex, I'm a new "raw" member but what I read is making sense.

 

Guest- Just to throw in my .02 worth. (Which might be inflating the value, some may contend!) Why does TMS favor old injuries? Because the medical establishment supports such "medical mythology" as Dr. Sarno calls it. Our bodies are made to heal.

In my case, the debilitating headaches and shoulder pain that have afflicted me for years where attributed to a car accident I had over 30 years ago. "Micro tears" one physical therapist told me. "They come back to haunt you as you age," he said.

I could go on and on about other gloomy predictions given to me by highly educated and very smart people. Because of an accident 30 years ago.

It's only been the past year that I see the ridiculousness. Instead, things have been turned inside out and upside down where now people think you're nuts if you DON'T blame that ankle pain on a sprain from 3 years ago. We sheeple have been well trained. Baaaaaaaa!

And btw - We're glad you're here!