What Are The Symptoms Of Tension Myositis Syndrome?
Some of the most common symptoms of Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) are back pain, migraines, TMJ, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia, but there are almost too many to list. Nearly any chronic symptom can be TMS, also known as Neuroplastic Pain or Mind Body Pain.
TMS symptoms often show up as tension — but that doesn't mean something is broken.
Do you have pain that has gone undiagnosed even after many doctor visits? Do you feel fatigued and unable to find an answer? Or have you received a diagnosis such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, or been told that you have a bulging disc, but nothing is helping you get better?
I understand how frustrated and helpless you feel. This was me until I learned about TMS. TMS is also known as neuroplastic pain, or mind-body pain. In the case of TMS, the brain, not the body, causes the pain. The brain is just making a mistake and signaling pain where there is no injury.
Have you had puzzling symptoms for many months or years? Have you visited numerous doctors and practitioners and still don’t know what is wrong?
If so, you are not alone. I went to oodles of physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other practitioners, and nothing worked until I realized that my symptoms were TMS.
TMS is easier to diagnose than you would think, and if you have it, you can count your blessings because it is treatable. You can recover.
A Pain In The Brain
I have had around 15 different symptoms over 30 years or more that have all been mind-body symptoms. I know it seems impossible, but our brains are far more powerful than we give them credit for.
Our primitive brain, or unconscious, is always trying to keep us safe and sometimes uses pain to do so. This is an unconscious process (it happens without us being consciously aware), so our job is to make it conscious, interrupting the fear/pain/fear cycle and eventually getting out of pain.
TMS, or neuroplastic pain, occurs when the brain creates the pain, not the body. The brain is just making a mistake and signaling pain despite no injury. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of neuroplastic pain.
Common Physical Symptoms of TMS
Back Pain
Neck Pain
Knee Pain
Shoulder Pain/Frozen Shoulder
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Migraines
Jaw Pain
Tinnitus
Nerve Pain
Hip Pain
Sciatica
Nausea
Dizziness
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Whiplash
IBS
Plantar Fasciitis
Pelvic Pain
Chronic Insomnia
Chronic Anxiety
Eczema
Rheumatoid Arthritis
From my experience, these are the most common symptoms of Mind-Body Pain, but more symptoms and conditions can be diagnosed as TMS after an organic pathology has been ruled out. Below, some of the more uncommon symptoms of TMS are listed. However, there can be more.
Uncommon physical Symptoms of TMS
Lyme Disease
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Peripheral Neuropathy
Frequent Urination
Emotional, cognitive, and sleep symptoms of TMS
TMS can take a toll on your emotions, your sleep quality and quantity, and also put a damper on cognitive functioning. The mind and body are connected, so emotional symptoms affect the physical symptoms, and vice versa.
Emotional symptoms
Anxiety and depression may occur before the physical symptoms begin, but are often intensified because of physical symptoms.
Chronic stress is common before the symptoms, but may become worse with the discomfort and uncertainty of the physical symptoms.
cognitive symptoms
Common cognitive signs of TMS include brain fog, impaired memory, poor executive function, and attention deficits. This can happen when persistent pain signals overwhelm the brain's working capacity. When the nervous system is dysregulated, it becomes more difficult to access the frontal lobe, which governs critical skills such as reasoning, planning, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
sleep symptoms
I’ve had very few clients who didn’t have sleep issues; I suffered dearly due to insomnia. When I was in the heat of my worst symptoms, I once went three days without any sleep. I tell you this because I survived it. So if you are having trouble sleeping, don’t panic; you will sleep as you learn to regulate your nervous system.
When You Have Multiple Symptoms of TMS
Many chronic pain sufferers have more than one symptom. When you have more than one symptom with no apparent physical cause, it is a strong indication that you may have TMS.
Do Your Symptoms Move Around?
Do you have pain on one side of your back for one hour and then on the other side an hour later? Pain that is inconsistent or moves around is another really good sign that you have TMS. Do you have Plantar Fasciitis in both feet?
I had plantar fasciitis in both feet for months and was able to heal it completely using mind-body methods. I don’t even think about it anymore. Most people with plantar fasciitis must keep up with it constantly, rolling their feet out every night using a frozen water bottle and wearing special shoes or inserts. I don’t do any of that because I completely healed.
If you have symptoms on both sides of your body: both arms, both sides of your neck, both legs, both knees, etc., there is a good chance you have TMS.
If you feel like your symptoms are TMS, please read my article, 10 Steps To Retrain Your Brain Out Of Pain.
If you’re still uncertain as to whether or not your symptoms are neuroplastic, you can read What Testing Is Available (How Do I Know If I Have It.)
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