Psychosomatic

Psychosomatic is a word that carries an unfair negative connotation. Most people believe psychologically induced pain syndromes are products of an abnormal and unhealthy mind. In reality, the mind helps to create all the physical processes in our bodies. All aspects of our health are dependent upon input from the mind. When you realize this simple and basic fact of life, the true nature of psychologically induced physical conditions is clear to understand.

Psychosomatic

What is Psychosomatic?

The actual word means a physical condition or expression that is created through a mental or emotional process. Most people believe that psychological expressions that cause some abhorrent physical condition indicate mental illness or deficiency. There has always been a strong stigma attached to any illness related to a mental process.

I work with patients everyday that are offended by the mere suggestion that their pain might have a psychological causation.

� I AM NOT CRAZY !!! MY PAIN IS REAL !!!�

This is the usual response I receive�I continue to ask them if they have ever experienced a stress related headache or upset stomach. 100% answer, �Yes, of course.� I ask them if this pain was real. They agree that it was indeed real. At this point I ask them again if their back pain might be caused by stress or emotions. This usually creates a long pause, followed by the response�
� HMMM�I don�t know. Maybe�

Psychosomatic Response

Physical pain caused by a psychological or emotional process is VERY REAL. It is NOT IMAGINARY. It is not DELUSIONAL. It is certainly NOT AN INDICATOR OF MENTAL ILLNESS. On the contrary, show me an individual that has never had a psychosomatic expression and I will show you an evolutionary anomaly. Psychologically induced conditions are a completely normal part of the human condition. I have them. You have them. Your doctor has them. (They just hate to admit it�)

Recommendation on Psychosomatic Back Pain

Psychological pain is THE most common form of acute and chronic back pain. The majority of patients with unresolved back pain are actually suffering from a misdiagnosed psychologically induced pain condition. Medical doctors are not prepared to handle these types of problems. Doctors usually want to blame all pain on some easy to identify but harmless scapegoat condition. Medical schools have to revise their educational process if the epidemic of back pain is ever to end. Is there hope? Sure. Is change imminent? Unfortunately, not�

Psychosomatic to Back Pain Home 1/2/07 Revised 7/16/08