Paul's Long Road with PainWhen I was 20 years old and USMC officer Candidate I was in the best shape of my life. However, when I jumped up for an interception (playing football) I felt a pop. Next it felt like i pulled a glute muscle. Next morning the worst calf pain and lumbar pain ever. Long story short over the next 2.5 years I went to 21 docs and had 2-mylograms, EMG's, Nerve Blocks, Told to have surgery (although no herniation was found), PT, chiro's. It was to the point if I did not get relief soon I was going to end my life. I did not have a position that was comfortable. Pain all the time except when i slept. I was in college and spent the bulk of my time in bed looking at my ceiling with no answers. i noticed my calf getting smaller and went to a neuro-surgeon. He operated and removed a synovial cyst that had grown against my sciatic nerve anerior (so it was never seen on any test). I figured this would be the end of my leg pain, but he said nerves are funny. The pain did not go away and he said it takes time. At the 1 yr post surgery mark I said the hell with it and told myself that "my back is fine" worked my ass of in the gym and the pain eventually subsided for 17 years.Then 3 years ago I was removing stumps and felt my back grab and for some reason I feared that the calf pain may return. Sure enough it did and it was fierce again. I was very scared. Went the same route and MRI was Normal. No herniations...good spacing....Perfect....Yet pain. I sought help from Trigger Point Therapists, Rolfers and was told by all I had muscle imbalances and trigger points. I was the tightest patient they ever saw. Every time I would walk my legs and hips would tighten so much and my back and calf pain returned. About 4 months ago I started all the Sarno Books and Scott Brady books about mind/body syndromes. It was funny. I saw myself on the pages and I did the emotional journaling. Within days I was a pain level 1-3 instead of 7-10 all days. Over the last 4 months i feel 95% most days. I had setbacks but they last hours not weeks now. I have my life back and am so excited to be going back to work. I was exhausted, emotionally drained and in pain all the time. I felt no hope only 6 months ago. I could not believe the mind was this strong...but it is. Thank you Adam - Paul Paul's Long Road with Pain to Back Pain 3/23/08 |
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