TMS

Tension Myoneural Syndrome

I dedicate a chapter to this method as a tribute to its groundbreaking contributions in our understanding of pain. I will elaborate on its details and explain its underlying principles.

Pain is actually just one symptom to which fears, behaviors, habits, doubts and conditioning are added.

The way we perceive and respond to pain is shaped by our cultural background,

as well as by biological, psychological, and social factors. By understanding these mechanisms,

we can develop more effective ways to manage and ultimately eliminate it.

Physiological Fact:

Approximately 85% of pain pathways traverse the emotional neural circuitry within the cerebral domain.

Pain and emotion are closely interconnected. Emotional experiences can activate pain pathways, even in the absence of physical injury. In such instances, targeted treatments can achieve significant symptomatic relief, often resulting in the complete resolution of the pain.

A little historical background:

The term TMS (Tension Myositis Syndrome or Tension Myoneural Syndrome) was coined by Dr. John Sarno, who was a Rehabilitation Medicine doctor in New York in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Early in his career, Dr. Sarno primarily treated patients with chronic back pain. However, after a decade of dedicated practice, he observed that the treatments he offered did not provide long-term relief for his patients. In his research and clinical practice with endless patients, Dr. Sarno came to understand that there are two distinct groups of people with pain. The first group experiences pain due to a clear structural problem. The second group experiences severe pain in the absence of any identifiable medical finding.

With further research he discovered that the second group of patients exhibited a significantly cultivated emotional substrate. This discovery was a critical step in understanding the mechanism of pain, as it demonstrated the link between pain production in the brain and repressed emotions.

Over the years, Dr. Sarno's studies led him to conclude that back pain is not the only physical symptom that can be caused by repressed emotions. He found that a wide range of diseases and conditions, including neurological disorders, digestive problems, skin rashes, seasonal allergies, fibromyalgia, and various orthopedic problems, can also be linked to repressed emotions.

With further research, Dr. Sarno discovered a correlation between certain personality traits and individuals who are more likely to experience pain that originates from tension and repressed emotions. These would generally be:

Individuals who suffer from high levels of anxiety

Individuals that are subjected to high levels of daily stress

Individuals who experience past or recent trauma

Individuals that have a need to please others

Individuals with perfectionistic tendencies

How do we know if our pain is due to TMS?

The wide range of symptoms associated with TMS indicates that it is a highly prevalent condition that can affect anyone.

It is not uncommon to find that the symptoms and imaging findings do not perfectly align.

Additionally, there are several key parameters that can serve as directional indicators for TMS:

Mismatch between reported symptoms and imaging results (e.g., leg pain not aligning with a back X-ray bulge)

cyclical symptoms- persistent pain during the workweek that eases on weekends

Alternating pain- symptoms shift between left and right sides or different joints and body areas

Worsening of symptoms after a doctor's visit, treatments or checkups

Conditioning - Discomfort alleviated through positional adjustment

Following a traumatic event in our lives, or simply a high-stress period

Improvement in symptoms following education about the mechanism of TMS

Certain personality traits, such as anxiety, and perfectionism

Symmetry - for example pain appearing in both wrists

When focusing on pain intensifies it

Individuals who persistently fear and worry about their pain

Individuals with past\present trauma

People who read about the approach and feel it speaks directly to them

As I mentioned, it is essential to undergo a thorough medical examination to rule out any underlying structural problems. This includes ruling out serious conditions such as tumors, arthritis, fractures, and cracks caused by trauma.

Of course, it is important for everyone to take personal responsibility for their own health and seek the necessary imaging and blood tests if necessary.

To schedule an appointment

Estimated recovery periods for different conditions

Ankle sprain (without tear)

approximately 2 weeks

Nondisplaced hand fracture

4 to 6 weeks

Herniated Disc

2 to 6 weeks for full recovery, in over 90% of patients

Tendinitis

3 to 6 months, based on the location and severity of the injury

In most cases, physical healing occurs naturally and gradually over time.

However, it is not uncommon for individuals with a herniated disc to experience back

pain for months to years after the injury.

What is the underlying cause for this phenomenon?

Epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated that a substantial proportion of the population has asymptomatic disc bulges, degenerative changes, knee meniscal tears, shoulder ligament tears, and hip joint abnormalities.

Why is the pain severity of a herniated disc so variable, with some people experiencing severe pain and others being asymptomatic?

Approximately 10% to 15% of individuals are believed to experience chronic pain attributable to TMS. Given the prevailing lack of awareness, a significant number of those afflicted by such pain continue to be without appropriate treatment.

From personal experience, this situation is profoundly frustrating.