Chronic pain and TMS

A few years ago I read John Sarno, MD’s book Healing Back Pain, and was impressed with the concept that most chronic pain and many chronic conditions were due to unconscious and unresolved emotions. Medical journals consistently estimate 70-80% of all doctor visits are due to stress and not to a “true medical condition”. I have seen many clients in my practice who have painful conditions that have not resolved with medical treatment.

In his several books, including the latest, The Mindbody Prescription, Dr. Sarno explains the cause of pain as being Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS). TMS is a harmless and yet painful condition that occurs in muscles, tendons or nerves where capillaries (tiny blood vessels) constrict; which causes restricted blood flow. Restricted blood flow causes mild oxygen deprivation and this results in pain. These physical symptoms may occur as numbness, tingling, weakness or burning; but it's always harmless in spite of how intensely painful it can be.The cause of TMS is not physical, but rather psychological. To fully understand this diagnosis, one must acknowledge the existence of the unconscious mind and accept the powerful influence it holds on our lives. The diagnosis of TMS acknowledges that unconscious, unresolved emotions of sadness and rage start to become conscious, and present a threat. And so, our brain creates the pain in order to distract our conscious mind from the unconscious negative emotions.

When clients have already seen many doctors without relief, I recommend they see David Schechter, MD, in Los Angeles, a physician trained by Dr. Sarno (who is in New York) for an opinion whether TMS is the actual condition. If it is, the process of healing can begin, and my role is to assist in accepting the diagnosis. I have videos to watch and methods that help a person reduce their pain and start getting on with their lives. Some of these methods may include alpha-theta neurofeedback training, Open Focus training, HRV training, or the Alpha-Stim SCS.

Exercise improves brain functioning

One of the more effective ways of improving brain functioning is to exercise at least three times weekly for 30 minutes. Exercise has been shown to help build new capillaries, thereby increasing oxygen and nutrient supplies to brain cells as well as removing waste. Virtually any type of exercise is better than none, whether it’s walking, biking, jogging, sports, or lifting weights. However, I tend to recommend interval training rather than endurance training. The difference is that after you get your heart rate up, you either slow down, or better yet, take a 4-5 minute compete rest. Then you repeat the cycle. Preliminary studies have shown that this can increase heart rate variability, which is associated with good health. Feel free to contact me for more specific details on interval training.