Relapsed

I have posted on this forum in the past. Through this site I was able to stay pain free for about 2 years. Whenever I experienced a back spasm, I would use the techniques I learned and talk myself out of it. That is, until yesterday. I have a spasm that will not go away. I've looked at the stress and what might be bothering me, but the spasms continue. I shall go back to the educational program and work this out again. Has anyone else had my experience? How have you helped yourself?

 

What has come up on the stressful events list listed in the Rahe-Holmes list in the past year?

 

Not much- my rating was 101. However, my line of work is intense and, this time of year, seems to be non-stop.

 

I had a couple neck/shoulder pain relapses during the time between "discovering" TMS and being pain free. What helped me was not paying too much attention to the pain, but saying, "Oh, that's just my TMS" and going about my business as if it weren't there. (Fortunately, it wasn't debilitating pain.) I reminded myself that it wasn't anything dangerous or bad, it just was. I also tried to improve what I could about my stressors, or at least get some long-term goals in the works.

I did eventually see a TMS doctor, who was good. But honestly, he just told me what I already knew. He encouraged me to keep doing my list, but in a shorter form and more regularly throughout the day, versus extensive dwelling and pages of journaling. I also stepped up my reading of various TMS books and got the CDs of the Healing Back Pain book, so I could listen to Sarno's practical, doctorly voice in the car and while doing housework.

If you don't have a TMS doctor around you, don't worry or think that's the "magic key". I saw a TMS doc because I happen to live about half an hour from one, and he was good, but I don't want people to think that's essential. I don't think he would want people to think that either.

I think a lot of us get caught up in The One Magic Thing/Book/Physical Therapists/Exercise/Cushion/Drug/Natural Supplement etc. that will free us of pain. Then when we discover TMS, there is still sometimes that personality component of wanting The One Magic Thing/Doctor/Journaling Technique/TMS Coach. At least, I know I am like that! But I think once we come across the whole concept of TMS, we already have the "thing" that can help, along with our own power of healing and wisdom. (I am saying this as much to myself as anyone else, as a reminder.)

Good luck!

 

Samantha just yesterday I got a spasm in my lower back. My TMS is my neck not lower back...I haven't had lower back pain in years and when I had I knew nothing about TMS. So back to my back spasm.. since my return home from a vacation last week I've been stressed by a vicious neighbor who is looking to start trouble for me. I ran into her yesterday! As I was adjusting my Pilates apparatus I felt my lower back spasm....I said to myself I know there is nothing wrong with my back and in pain kept doing what I was doing. I then rolled out my mat and still in painful discomfort did some exercise knowing nothing at all is wrong with my back! I then did an errand...my back pain was 95% gone...today 100%..I was sure. I had no doubt. Nothing is wrong with my back...but something is wrong with my neighbor!

 

Sorry to hear about that Susan, that kind of mind stress can cause TMS tension symptoms in the body.
If you care to give some of the gory details, but you don't have to, just curious. If she really goes off on you, you may want to look into a restraining order. I had a downstairs neighbor who was bouncing off the walls about a year ago, the sheriff just missed getting her one night when she was outside screaming her head-off. She was finally evicted, but it got to me after six months.

g'luck!

 

Hi Tom thanks for asking...short version.

I live in large co-op building in NYC...she lives downstairs from me her apartment is somewhat under my bedroom. She is making false noise claims against me directly with the management. She knows I teach Pilates and is accusing me of dropping weights all different hours of the day and night...and that im running my business in my apartment. Pilates doesn't use weights! If she had said footsteps or a vibration from my apparatus it would believeable...I stopped doing anything in my bedroom I'm not rude nor stupid yet her complaints continue as do letters from the management to me.
They know the claims are false but it's the continued conflict of being falsely accused that makes me uneasy and my body tense. Being in the position of defending myself brings up stuff!!
This is her vindication for a leak i had several years ago that affected her ceiling...also not my fault...old pipes..
Life lessons for me!

 

Thanks for the background Susan. My situation was similar, do not underestimate the impacts on your mindbody from the stress creating tension in your body. Mine was a total druggy-alcohol nutter who's father had to do an intervention and take her away. She was very two-faced but the apt. complex security could hear her loud screaming, cursing and banging around at all hours. I never did see her place but it must have been a shambles. She had a poor little dog that would escape and must have been terrorized. That's when she would go outdoors in the middle of the night drunk-stoned yelling for it to come home. She would wake up the entire complex and the sheriffs just missed her due to an "enabler" neighbor who hid her. Finally all the enablers gave up on her too after being burned by her. I felt really bad for the dog and reported her for that. She complained that I was making noise closing my bathroom cabinet door--BS. So, these people are total psychos and will lie at every opportunity. You may want to seek some legal advice because this person is making false allegations and effecting your life. Good luck and like I said don't underestimate the stress causing or turning up the volume control on your TMS.

 

How sad it is all these tormented people lashing out
Yes I've considered a lawyer if she keeps this up!
I believe I've put a stop to it..fingers crossed
Thanks for sharing your experience

 

My spasms are continuing. I know they are not structural. I believe in this program and for 2 years was able to talk myself out of them. Has anyone had to go back and re-do the program. I'm working through the exercises again on the structural educational program.