Chronic Pain

Mind-Body Disorders and Chronic Pain

Self Test

Do any of these traits apply to you?

__ perfectionism

__ self-critical

__ overly responsible

__ control-oriented

__ very thorough

__ highly conscientious

Have you experienced other medical conditions from the list below?

__ allergies

__ asthma

__ fibromyalgia

__ irritable bowel syndrome

__ temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)

__ unexplained pelvic pain

__ tension headaches

__ migraine headaches

__ back pain or neck pain (1)

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be suffering from TMS.

What is TMS?
TMS, or tension myositis syndrome is a painful disorder that manifests in physical pain generated by unconscious emotions. “In this condition, the brain orders a reduction of blood flow to a specific part of the body, resulting in mild oxygen deprivation, which causes pain and other symptoms, depending on what tissues have been oxygen deprived.”(2)

How Can Therapy Help?
In individual therapy we explore the direct link of the unconscious mind to the manifestation of pain in the body. Traditional forms of pain treatment such as physical therapy, pain medications, anti-inflammatory medications and injections, surgery, acupuncture, chiropractic care, or massage, do not address the underlying emotional issues that are causing the pain in the first place. All that these other forms of pain management can give you are temporary relief. Some clients experience a complete cessation of pain within 2 or 3 sessions. The most immediate relief for clients upon receiving the TMS diagnosis is that there is nothing structurally wrong with their body and are therefore encouraged to go about their daily activities of life without giving into the pain.

Please contact Colleen for support at 310. 259.8970

For more information on TMS, please go to www.mindbodymedicine.com .

(1) The use of the above TMS questionnaire is used with permission by David Schechter M.D. who designed and copyrighted this and other useful information. For more, please visit Dr. Schecter’s website www.mindbodymedicine.com.

(2) John E. Sarno M.D., The Divided Mind The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders, Harper Collins, 2006

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