The Mind-Body Syndrome: A Dietitian’s Perspective
Have you heard of the Mind-Body Syndrome? Ever experienced pain in an area that isn’t injured, or had unexplained digestive or other physical symptoms? Dietitian Carolina Castellanosreflects on why this might be, through the lens of the Mind-Body Syndrome.
As a dietitian, I often work with patients who, after becoming more aware of themselves, recognize a connection between their physical symptoms and everyday situations that might bring back the memory of a traumatic past experience. Some may present with digestive tract symptoms when stressed. Others have become severely ill after experiencing grief, anger and frustration or serious psychological stress.
My primary focus is on helping patients achieve optimal health through proper nutrition. But I have also come to understand that tackling individual health requires addressing the root cause of a problem with a holistic approach. While dietary changes and nutritional strategies can certainly improve health parameters and alleviate symptoms, they’re not always enough on their own.
Understanding the Mind-Body Syndrome
Highlighting the complex interaction between our mental and physical health, Dr. John Sarno pioneered the Mind-Body Syndrome, also known as Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), which is a painful but harmless change of state in muscles to emotional stress. What is intriguing is that sometimes the pain is in the area of an old injury, but you haven’t injured it again. You don’t have a recent injury and haven’t hurt yourself – but you have pain. There is nothing “physically” wrong and you might have been told that “the pain is in your head”. This can bring up lots of feelings: fear, frustration, feeling misunderstood.
However, your pain is real. According to the theory, your unexplained pain is initiated by your brain as a strategy of avoidance, so that you focus on the pain instead of the intense emotion. The pain is caused by your brain as it “commands” blood flow restriction, reducing the amount of oxygen in the affected tissues. You might also experience weakness or tingling sensations and be offered treatment that manages – or masks – your symptoms.
Health is holistic
If your doctor has done enough testing, such as imaging or blood tests, and your results show up as normal even though you have symptoms, then consider the Mind-Body Syndrome. Is there any emotion that you have not expressed or dealt with? If you don’t express or deal with your emotions, these repressed feelings could be causing body symptoms. To help alleviate symptoms, as well as having healthy dietary and lifestyle habits, individualized nutritional advice may include super foods, spices and supplements with anti-inflammatory effects (such as curcuma combined with black pepper); omega 3 fatty acids can also be helpful. However, these won’t relieve symptoms completely if the underlying reason is not addressed.
Health is not just what you eat, but also how you feel, what is in your mind, how you deal with stress, how you move/exercise, and interact with others and your environment. By recognizing and addressing the emotional roots of physical symptoms – including unexplained pain – patients achieve true healing and well-being.
If you or someone you know is struggling with unexplained physical symptoms, consider exploring the Mind-Body Syndrome. It may hold the key to emabarking on the path to better health.
How have you had experiences with unexplained physical symptoms? What have you found helpful? We’d love to hear.
PHOTO: Oleksander P/Pexels
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carolina Castellanos is the Director of Preventive Health, Education and Nutritional Counseling at OPTIMAL NUTRITION BBT PERFORMANCE. You can reach her at carolina@tunutricionoptima.com.