There may well be (probably is) a psychological component to many cases of TOS - the workings of pain and the mind body connection are simply not fully understood. But I find Dr. Sarno's reasoning - essentially that "it's all in your head" - limiting and paternalistic. The notion that TOS symptoms/pain is the brain's way of dealing with compulsiveness, perfectionism, anger (Dr. S's theory), does not apply to me. But we are all differently constituted and Dr. S's theory may resonate with others. I'm glad it helped you.[/QUOTE]

Well... most people will reject the notion that there is an emotional root to their pain, which is totally understandable. In fact, I did for several years. In retrospect, I had seen and heard about Dr Sarno's work several times on various postings, etc., but skipped over or ignored them. Actually, i saw an osteopath 5 years ago when I started having back pain who very, very adamantly insisted that I consider the emotional aspect of my pain and read dr Sarno's work, but I completely ignored that suggestion in favor of the "physical" remedies he suggested: TENS (didn't help), neuromuscular therapy (helped temporarily), accupuncture (never tried this), PT (didn't help), MRI... which showed a small disk herniation (in retrospect, my pain got much worse after seeing that MRI). In fact, I was really insulted and never went back to him. I figured he was suggesting I was overemotional/hysterical because I was a woman.

Please consider to yourself whether there are any inconsistencies/holes in the structural theory for your pain: for example, I had terrible pain in my back as well, which Dr. Jordan said was a separate condition and not part of the TOS(?) I also had occasional low back/SI joint pain and had a history of stomach problems. I tended to have pain in one place at a time: either hands or back, almost never both. Why would this be??

I will get off my bandwagon now, but if this has sparked some interest for any of you, please look online for other people's recovery stories (there are plenty) and read about tension myositis syndrome, which Dr. Sarno contends is the basis for most chronic pain conditions.

I have read Sarno's book 3 times. It didn't work. I think many people suffering daily chronic pain get to a point where they are willing to accept any possible theory and do whatever it takes --- just to stop the pain and MOVE ON.

While Sarno may have helped some people, I thnk he has hurt many *many* more.

It's been over a year since my surgery. There's been a lot of ups and downs. I do have pain free days, however some wasting occured in my wrist (carpi ulnaris), small muscles of the hand (dorsal interossei), and medial tricep. I've still been working as an electrician and I can still perform my work, overhead included. I have a hard mass in my neck which could contribute to some of the permanent symptoms. Hypersensitivity in the tricep comes and goes, but lately it has been minimal.

The worst of the pain is in my wrist now and again, but fortunately those symptoms seem to be easing up as time progresses. Now sadly I've been experiencing occasional nagging symptoms on my right hand, wrist, and shoulder. Nothing as bad as the other side, although hopefully it does not worsen. Will be seeing a doctor soon. Thought the TOS was caused by my fractured rib, thinking the new side is cervical disc problems and arthritis. My surgeon was Doctor William Warren at Rush university. I believe the surgery was a success. Not perfect, but I am a lot better. Hoping the symptoms on my other side aren't a product of the surgery. I hope you all are improving! Be strong...it's not always easy

Hi Dom9889,
I also have a fractured first rib on the left side which likely has something to do with my TOS symptoms. But I have pain on both sides so I tend to think that rib fracture is a consequence, not a cause.

BTW, on dr. Sarno's books. I read three of them and they did nothing for me. I found his ideas arbitrary and far-fetched (just like the Freud's theory they are based on). Supposedly the subconscious mind cuts off blood supply in an area where a physical abnormality exists (like a broken rib or a herniated disc) in response to some emotional issues. I find it not plausible that the subconscious mind has knowledge of anatomy which the conscious mind does not.

I don't doubt that his approach helped some people, but don't think it will help most. And I suppose the reason it works is much simpler.
People habitually tense their muscles in response to daily stress. If one can create an emotional stress which overpowers the daily stress, it may distract the brain and release tension. But I don't see how this can help with structural or postural issues.

wrong thread

Sympathetic nervous system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympathetic_nervous_system). Overexcited means its always leading to stressed muscles. Slow and steady breathing is key to relaxing the SNS.
Stressed muscles tense up and fix the posture in stressful poses which in turn stress/activate certain muscles. Shallow breathing further stresses the wrong muscles (accessory musles) which impinge on the brachial plexus.

Sarno has addressed the mental aspects of an issue. But the physical aspects need work as well. Both go hand in hand from what I have been told.