Really Struggling with Knee Pain

Thank you for journaling. It is amazing how active you have been amidst the symptoms. You are a warrior! I am having TMS knee pain. Xrays show arthritis (71 years) but not to the point of replacement. I am virtually pain free unless I put it under significant load and then it feels like I am spraining it. I am going to try to strengthen which totally makes sense to me but it has been a path you have tried but seemingly with little luck. Any advice?

 

Thank you for the kind words!

Are you practicing TMS techniques or are you new at all of this? That will change my response.

For now I would say not to be too concerned about the arthritis, that's normal aging according to Sarno. Especially if you're feeling pain in one knee but not the other (arthritis is almost certainly identical in both knees). As for strength training, I believe it is beneficial for its own purpose, but not as a cure for knee pain (which aligns with Sarno's book when performing any kind of physical therapy - do it and enjoy it, but not as a cure).

I still get knee pain in certain movements kind of like you describe, I tell myself these are "conditioned responses" - and I believe it too because the pain will come and go, which would not make sense if there was a structural issue.

 

Yes, I am practicing TMS techniques. A little stiffness and soreness I attribute to arthritis. For instance I walked a couple of miles on uneven ground today carrying 20 pounds. My knee was stiff for a while after. Serious pain I attribute to TMS. I think stretching and strengthening will help with stiffness and soreness. What podcasts or blogs have you found helpful?

 

Oh I like podcasts - try Eddy Lindenstein's "Mind and Body Fitness" and also Nicole Sach's "Cure for Chronic Pain". I find these nice to listen to while riding my bike or in your case taking hikes.

Here's my go to toolbox when I get TMS issues:

- Revisit my books (Sarno's mostly but I like the Ozanich book too)
- Listen to podcasts (see above)
- Read this forum (especially the success stories)
- Keep a light heart about it all (TMS issues are exacerbated by catastrophic thinking)
- Do some journaling and/or freeform writing