Healing Neck And Back Pain With Therapy For Tension Myoneural Syndrome

19 March 2015
 Categories: , Blog


If you've had trouble relieving chronic neck or back pain, a combination of chiropractic therapy for musculoskeletal structural issues and treatment for tension myoneural syndrome may finally resolve this problem. Some chiropractic clinics offer treatment for TMS in addition to their standard care.

About Tension Myoneural Syndrome

Tension myoneural syndrome, originally known as tension myositis syndrome, involves a mind-body connection in which chronic pain is caused by long-standing negative and stressful underlying thoughts. The concept of TMS and the therapy for it was developed by John Sarno, a medical doctor at New York University Medical Center and a professor at the university's school of medicine. 

In TMS, a person experiences chronic pain due to emotional feelings of unworthiness, anger or guilt that he or she represses and unconsciously transfers into a physical issue. The mental discomfort leads to a blocking of effective circulation, and thus sufficient oxygen, to an area of the body. The resulting physical pain distracts the individual from the emotional pain that would be even worse to experience. 

Back and neck pain aren't the only possible results of TMS. Many people have more than one chronic ailment. Consider whether you also experience stress-related problems such as:

  • heartburn
  • digestive difficulties
  • headaches
  • skin disorders
  • insomnia
  • panic attacks
  • fibromyalgia

Relevant Research

Research conducted at New York University found that 72 percent of patients still experienced substantial relief of chronic pain after TMS therapy. This was discovered during followup interviews six months to three years later. 

Another study by a doctor with the Seligman Medical Institute found a success rate of 57 percent of TMS therapy for chronic pain patients.  

How Chiropractors Address TMS

You may find a chiropractic clinic with a psychotherapist on staff who provides treatment for TMS. A chiropractor also may be able to refer you to a good TMS therapist.

You might not find it necessary to participate in psychotherapy. Some chiropractic centers offer instruction in other strategies to resolve TMS, such as meditation and mindfulness training. Mindfulness training for TMS involves repeating a specific set of daily reminders about the emotional basis for the pain. Once you understand the underlying emotional cause of the physical pain, it becomes easier to relieve that discomfort. 

Additional Treatment for Neck Pain

TMS therapy helps when there is no structural reason for pain. Many individuals do have musculoskeletal dysfunction in addition to the underlying emotional issues, and that's where standard chiropractic therapy can help. A chiropractor does spinal adjustments to resolve misaligned areas known as subluxations. This doctor also may provide deep-heat ultrasound therapy that increases healing blood flow to the affected areas.

Contact chiropractors in your area to find out more about TMS therapy and other strategies to relieve neck and back pain. (For more information, contact Eric Schmetterling DC)


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