Do you have mind body syndrome?
(TMS, Neuroplastic Pain, or Neural Circuit Pain)
The more “yes’s” the more probable your pain is controlled by the brain and therefore reversible.
Some of these criteria originated from Dr. Schubiner’s FIT criteria.
My symptoms showed up during a time of change in my life; good or bad, big or small. (Financial, job, relationship change, moving, divorce, trauma, injury, family changes, etc)
Symptoms began without a physical precipitation
Symptoms persist after an injury has healed (3-6 mo)
Symptoms are in a distribution pattern that is symmetric
Symptoms occur on one whole side of the body or occur on half of the face, head, or torso
Symptoms spread over time to different parts of the body.
Symptoms radiate to the opposite side of the body or down a whole leg or arm
Symptoms that occur in many different body parts at the same time
Symptoms that have a quality of tingling, electric, burning, numb, hot or cold
Symptom shift from one location in the body to another
Symptoms are more or less intense depending on the time of day, or occur first thing in the morning or in the middle of the night
Symptoms occur after, but not during, an activity or exercise
Symptoms occur when one thinks about them or when someone asks about it
Symptoms occur when stresses increased or one thinks about stressful situations
Symptoms are minimal or nonexistent when engaged and joyful or distracting activities, such as when on vacation
Symptoms are minimal or non-existent after some kind of therapy, such as massage, chiropractic, Reiki, acupuncture, an herbal or vitamin supplement
Symptoms are triggered by things that are not related to the actual symptom, such as foods, smells, sounds, light, computer screens, menses, changes in the weather
Symptoms are triggered by the anticipation of stress, such as prior to school, work, a doctor’s visit, a medical test, a visit to a relative, or a social gathering; or during those activities
Symptoms that are triggered by simply imagining engaging in the triggering activity, such as bending over, turning the neck, sitting or standing
I catastrophize when I experience pain and will do anything to make it go away.
Symptoms are triggered by light touch or innocuous stimuli, such as the wind or cold
I am frequently frustrated by by pain, try to figure it out, fix it, and/or focus on it.
I have experienced difficult traumatic experiences in my life.
The expectations of me were very high in childhood.
I am hard on myself.
I struggle with guilt, shame, or fear.
I have anxiety or depression.
I have more than one type of symptom. (sleep, energy, stomach, pain)
I have seen many doctors, but western medicine bio-medical approach doesn’t seem to help resolve my pain.
I have tried other therapies with no long-lasting relief of symptoms.
The doctor’s haven’t found an infection, cancer or structural damage.
Imaging shows normal abnormalities that most people have such as degenerative disc disease, disc bulges, scoliosis or others.
I struggle with one of the following: people-pleasing, sensitivity to criticism, self-critical, controlling, over-scheduling, earning salvation, being judgmental, or perfectionism?
For Christians:
I struggle with legalism and/or earning my salvation through good Christian behavior.
I fear accidentally doing the wrong thing in God’s eyes.
I fear the judgment of other Christians.