It is a soft tissue condition that can involve the muscles, ligaments, and nerves of the back and neck. The pain in TMS is caused or worsened by tension and in most cases, can be eliminated by a mental process that involves focusing on the emotional, rather than the physical. Now this is a strong statement and I want to repeat it.  Some people are more prone to these disorders than others--back pain may be more likely, for instance, in people who are perfectionistic, self-critical, and highly responsible for others. People with chronic back pain are often suffering from a mind-body disorder known as TMS, or Tension Myositis Syndrome, a diagnosis that is relatively unknown in both the medical and alternative communities.  This condition can be treated with daily mindfulness practices, autonomic nervous system balancing.  Our office utilizes daily reminders repeated throughout the day and upper cervical (C1-C2) mobilization and adjustments.  We are the premier Lake Tahoe Office working with the mind-body connection and inner healing wisdom.  Please call for a office tour or visit.  530-577-5433  

Tension Myositis Syndrome--describes a very common problem --back and neck pain--and redefines it as physical pain with roots in emotional tension. This syndrome was first theorized by Dr. John Sarno at NYU's Rusk Institute. In the late 1970's and early 1980's he described in detail a theory, involving the connections between emotions, the brain, the limbic system, and the autonomic nervous system that generates this process. The end products is painful tissue that causes local pain (trigger points, areas of spasm) and sometimes distant pain (sciatica,etc.). The cure is educational and psychological and highly effective in most patients.