Patients’ symptoms of somatic and psychiatric distress sometimes fail to improve in spite of traditional treatments.  The focus of traditional remedies are to correct structural findings. Research  studies have demonstrated that these types of  abnormalities can be found in a high percentage of people without symptoms.  Dr. John E. Sarno at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University determined over 30 years ago that you can have testing abnormalities but they may not be the cause of your symptoms.  Discomfort can be from muscle and tendon oxygen deprivation.  In patients with Tension Myositis Syndrome(TMS), certain personality traits may contribute to the pain.

These types of symptoms tend to occur in successful, goal oriented and altruistic patients.  Cause is often found in the unconscious regions of the mind, with the ultimate result that the conscious mind is distracted.  The type of symptom and its location is not important as long as it diverts attention from what is really occurring in the unconscious.  The symptom may even contribute to the diversion process.  In addition, the source for the symptom may be difficult for the patient to accept.

A treatment program for TMS includes a thorough medical evaluation, education and support.  TMS is likely if you have had a long history of discomfort and are still disabled.  Your symptoms may be associated with other tension related illnesses such as fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal complaints, headaches or hives.

In the presence of this group of signs and symptoms 80-85% of patients respond to treatment.