| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| chrisb89 |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 13:01:30
When searching to see if a pain is "real" or TMS, could the use of heat be the answer. I've noticed that with my recent neck, shoulder, and back pain - almost the only time I have no pain at all is during or shortly after a hot shower, or in a hot tub. This was never the case with "real" injuries I had in the past. Sarno himself mentions the heat and how that made him think TMS was due to mild oxygen deprivation (since warm water forces oxygen to those areas).
Does this make sense or do some "real" injuries also get better with heat? |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Shary |
Posted - 04/28/2007 : 08:37:24
I agree that a nice hot shower can make the pain subside, but it only works temporarily for me. By the time I'm dressed and doing my hair, my shoulder pain is already returning to its pre-shower level. An ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas, etc.) isn't as soothing but seems to work better for long term relief. |
| Woodchuck |
Posted - 04/27/2007 : 21:55:19
quote:
Originally posted by chrisb89
When searching to see if a pain is "real" or TMS, could the use of heat be the answer. I've noticed that with my recent neck, shoulder, and back pain - almost the only time I have no pain at all is during or shortly after a hot shower, or in a hot tub. This was never the case with "real" injuries I had in the past. Sarno himself mentions the heat and how that made him think TMS was due to mild oxygen deprivation (since warm water forces oxygen to those areas).
Does this make sense or do some "real" injuries also get better with heat?
Makes sense to me and I used heat a lot for awhile and it worked temporarily. I did quit though after I thought maybe I was getting too dependent on it, giving my unconscious mind more ammunition ;) I have been pain-free for quite sometime now. Once in awhile I will get a twinge that feels like sciatica might be starting, but I just ignore it, consider the source, and a few minutes it goes away.
Woodchuck |
| carbar |
Posted - 03/31/2007 : 09:38:16
I guess the "heat" issue is a good test to determine if it's TMS. I do have some painful recollection of wasting away hours of my time sitting on my big ol behind wrapping my arms with heating pads to get temporary relieve rather than feel the repressed emotions that TMS was masking.
Hmm, guess I'm still angry about that lost time. ;-)
I think other good reminders that the pain is TMS is if you are not feeling any pain at all while doing something you really like to do, whether it's cooking, playing with the kids, reading a book, taking photos, etc. despite using the part of your body that is supposedly injured.
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| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 17:57:57
This is something Sarno says can be a sign of TMS. It's mentioned prominently in MBP. Because heat increases bloodflow, it reduces (oxygen-deprivation-created) TMS pain.
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Wherever you go, there you are. |
| sensei adam rostocki |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 14:11:18
The use of heat on an injury can be useful, but is limited. Unless it is generated via ultrasound or some other wave applied form, heat will not penetrate far into the body unless left on for a very long time. Heat can be of use for muscular back pain but will not do anything for spinal related conditions. I also found temporary relief from hot showers and the like, but discovered it was more due to their soothing effect on my spirit than any actual physical effect on my body. Yes, heat does increase blood circulation, but simply applying a heating pad or taking a hot shower will not accomplish too much towards this type of treatment. Sensei
CURE-BACK-PAIN(dot)ORG |
| Newmom |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 14:09:40
I can personally state that the heat most certainly helped me treat the pain I had. It didn't get rid of the cause of the pain, but it sure helped me get through it. I basically wore a heating pad on my back for 6 months. The heat gave me relief, and I became reliant on that relief. I knew that if I forgot to take the heating pad with me to work, I was not going to make it through the day. Conditioning?? That was when I believed there was a physical cause for the pain. It makes sense that hot water in shower and jacuzzis help with the pain, not only providing a temporary relief - but a distraction!! 
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| Singer_Artist |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 13:10:26
Hi Chris,
This makes sense to me because I have had the same exact experience..When my neck is super tight, I take a hot shower and it temporarily relieves the pain and tightness...Interestingly, Dr. Scott Brady talks about this very issue in his video you can see here for free...2Scoops posted about it..the subject line is "Scott Brady's video"..He says that things like massage and heat can help temporarily because they increase blood flow but if the underlying issues that fuel the TMS are not dealt with, the pain will return...In Dr. Sarno's videotapes he speaks about how if we call attention to the physical with ANY modalities, we could run the risk of reinforcing our belief that our problem is structural and not psychological in origin...
God bless!
Karen |
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