osteoarthritis Hands

Just diagnosed with
osteoarthritis in my fingers which I suspect is from two major injuries here in Thailand. Can this be TMS or am I heading into a life of chronic
osteoarthritis and pain in my hands along with less and less ability to use my hands ? Also noticing pain in the hands, elbows and shoulders. Anyhow feeling what seems to be classic
osteoarthritis in the hands---a feeling of deep joint pain, dropping things, weakness in my hands, hard to do things with my hands, less coordination with my hands.

 

@newarrior , here is the story for you. Not necessarily a proof that osteoarthritis is TMS, but at least the evidence that it is not a dead end. I was visiting a friend at the assisted living facility and was introduced to one old lady. She checked into the facility because the severe arthritis in her hands which almost entirely disabled her. She was given advice to sign up for jewelry class. In couple years, every doctor, nurse and nursing assistant at the place had a jewelry piece gifted by her. Her fellow residents got jewelry from her, her friends and family did, too. By then, she regained full dexterity in her hands. I have not seen X-ray of your hands, so I would not speculate about what I don't know, but I had similar symptoms in my hands and fully recovered.

 

How did she and you recover ? Thanks !

 

The old lady was making jewlery, which requires a lot of small finger and hand movements. The more she moved her hands, the easier it became. Eventually, her arthritus stopped bothering her and she regained dexterity in her hands. I am not a specialist in arthritis, but I believe it is what doctors recommend, to continue moving your joints and ligaments.

My case was very different. I had CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) which was purely TMS, but I had stiffness in muscles and joints. I recovered by using TMS technique, mostly meditation and focusing on my emotional health, but also practicing Qi Gong, yoga and other healing arts. The fact that your pain started with injury and progresses into your arms suggests to me that you may have TMS. I had similar experience with mine.

What is possible in your case, is combination of the two. Using meditation to balance out nervous system would not hurt you. Using exercise for your hands would not hurt you either. If I were you, I would try both and see if it helps.

 

I am trying to use my hands less, meditate, eat ginger, continue with my low fat anti inflammatory vegan diet, being mindful of how I use my hands, watching stress etc...Under tremendous stress. 57, alone, no wife kids family career home pension girlfriend living overseas..Hearing heart + heart valve as well vision....I have a huge inheritance and a low cost of living....

 

Healthy diet is always good to maintain, TMS or not. However, minimizing use of your hands goes contrary to the concept of TMS and to what the lady with jewlery-based healing did. Again, the decision is yours whether you want to try TMS approach, but it takes substantial effort.

 

Thanks agreed understood

 

thanks and understood. I'm praying for a good outcome

 

Hey a delayed reply 3 years later thanks again I'm running into some issues again that's great to hear man

 

Hi @newarrior
Did you ever investigate tms anymore after your initial inquiries?
Read any books (Sarno) on tms or explore this website to see the free programs offered (scroll down tmswiki.org page).
Some symptoms are “grey areas” - some tms practitioners believe they are tms, some aren’t so sure.. but there are quite a few who are seeing connections with anything considered inflammatory and the tms mechanism in the body.
No matter what, you outlined some real emotional concerns and stressors in your post a few years ago. The tms work is aimed at changing how you deal with those stressors.
Sometimes folks feel the need to have more solid belief in tms and their symptoms - for that, you might want to contact a TMS Dr. (many are available virtually) and discuss. There is also a link to a list of practitioners at tmswiki.org page

 

Been reading Sarno since 2005) My arthritis is getting worse sadly--this shows up in xrays---my pain get retriggered plus I have pain in new areas since a few aggressive massages in Vietnam last week(

 

I have been working through Sarno work since 2005--my osteoarthritis originated in trauma from accidents sadly-massages, trauma to my hand from accidents, broken bones etc etc

 

Then even though you do Sarno’s work and ask if it can be tms you firmly believe it is not, that it is physical.
The crux of Sarno’s work is belief. I’m not a doctor, I can’t tell you if the arthritis is or is not structural. All I know is that Dr. Sarno believed that x-rays and tests where not necessarily indicative of pain levels. Dr. Hanscom is a TMS Doctor, and has written about the mechanisms of pain and inflammation, and how when our nervous systems are ramped up our bodies real ease a lot of chemicals which created inflammation. He’s beginning to believe that this might be the mechanism for all or most inflammatory medical diagnoses. Dr. Clark also works in this area with TMS and inflammatory gut response to stress.
Both teach that no matter what your diagnoses, being able to change your response to stress reduces symptoms.
If you have not tried a formal tms program, I suggest you might try. You just might need to switch things up.

 

Agreed and thanks !

 

Can you give me websites or ways to contact either doctor you mention ? Thanks !

 

A

Agreed and thanks !

 

Dr David Hanscom:

https://backincontrol.com

This is Dr. Clark’s website
http://www.stressillness.com/about.php
Dr. Clark is the head of the PPD association who have a list of participating Doctors on their website https://ppdassociation.org/ (Psychophysiologic Disorders Association)

Dr. Gabor Mate is a researcher, author, international speaker
https://drgabormate.com/ (Addiction Expert, Speaker and Best-selling Author Dr. Gabor Maté)

 

Thanks and hello from Thailand where I have lived for 6 years--doubt there is anyone in SE Asia

 

It is pretty common now for people to see TMS Doctors and coaches, psychologists via the internet now. You send doctors your test results, and have a Zoom meeting. I think most people don't have the opportunity to see these people in person, most coaches work online and Doctors are few and far between. Dr. Schecter is another TMS doctor, he's in the LA area and I know he does online consultations too, as does Dr. Hanscom.