There is a direct connection between our emotional and physical state. In 2011 we went through the second major earthquake for Christchurch, New Zealand. Over 180 people died in this second major earthquake, 6 months after the first. We went on to record over 14,000 earthquakes in 2 years – we had a thorough ‘shakeup’. The mental, emotional and physical impacts for people were significant and largely unrecognised. For me, I created a lower back disc bulge between L4 and L5. The trapped sciatic nerve ran across my right buttock and down the outside of my right leg to just above the ankle.

It took 2 years to lower the pain from a constant 6 or 7 to below 2. I came to see the link between my physical and emotional state.

Here is the learning – when I take on the burden and weight of responsibilities that were not meant to be mine, within 20 seconds I got a ‘right pain in the arse’! Talk about mind-body connection and the feedback I was getting to resolve this.

As someone who grew up as a ‘pleaser’ and needed ‘fix everything and everyone’, I took on responsibilities that were never meant to be mine. I was getting very fast feedback that my energy was out of balance and I had better pay attention.

One major help was Dr John Sarno’s work around what he termed ‘TMS (Tension Myoneural Sydrome). He undertook decades of research and clinical studies as MD, Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University School of Medicine. Steven Ray Ozanich then undertook his personal experience of this and brought together The Great Pain Deception (ISBN 9780615462219).

In this book Steven covers Dr. John E. Sarno’s pioneering research and clinical work that laid the foundation for TMS. He observed that many patients suffering from chronic pain had no diagnosable structural issues that justified their pain levels. Through his extensive work, Dr. Sarno concluded that these patients were experiencing physical pain as a result of psychological stress. His approach emphasised the importance of acknowledging and addressing these underlying emotional issues rather than solely focusing on physical treatment. Ozanich, inspired by Sarno’s insights and methods, emphasises that true healing requires an understanding of the psychological origins of pain. Ozanich’s interpretation and elaboration on TMS highlight the crucial link between emotional well-being and physical health. He argues that the mind and body are inextricably connected, and that unresolved emotional issues can manifest as chronic pain. This exploration encourages a paradigm shift—from seeing pain as a purely physical ailment to understanding it as a complex interplay of emotions and physical sensations.

In chapter 1, TMS – The Mindbody Syndrome, Steven outlines the key drivers he has uncovered. 

“It took many years of communication with thousands of suffers, but most importantly my own experience, to fully understand that it was the loss of awareness of negative emotions that was the culprit behind pain and most ill-health. Pain wasn’t the only result of this lack of awareness either – other symptoms included fatigue, sleepiness, sinus infections, digestive tract and skin disorders. However, when I first read about this TMS concept, I thought it was absurd – totally preposterous – but I was wrong.”

“The mind and the body are one single unit – inseparable. What desperately desires to be known in the mind always reveals itself through the body.”

“Pain and other chronic symptoms are physical manifestations of unresolved internal conflict. Symptoms surface as an instinctual mechanism for self-survival. They are messages from the inner self wanting to be heard, but ego takes centre-stage, and hides the truth within the shadows of the unconscious mind: which is the body.”

By becoming conscious of our emotions and learning how to manage these, we have the potential to transform negative emotions and improve our physical well-being. The opportunity is huge. The payback is massive.

I wish you well on your journey to greater awareness and consciousness. You have the ability to navigate life for growth and success.

Go well,

Craig