Do I Have TMS? Why You Don’t Need a Diagnosis to Start Healing Chronic Pain

If you’re living with chronic pain—whether it’s back pain, IBS, pelvic pain, anxiety, or any other frustrating, unexplained symptom—you’ve probably asked yourself this question:

“Do I have TMS… or not?”

It’s one of the most common things people ask me when they book a free call.
And I get it.
You don’t want to waste your time. You don’t want to miss something serious. You just want to know if what you're experiencing is TMS (Tension Myositis Syndrome)—or if you should be seeing a doctor, getting more tests, or considering surgery or medication.

This kind of fear is totally normal. I had it myself when I was stuck in the loop of chronic symptoms.
But here’s what I want to tell you:

You don’t need a definitive diagnosis to start the TMS healing process.
And honestly? It might be the best thing you can do—whether you have TMS or not.

In this blog, I’m going to break down why the TMS process is powerful, safe, and transformative for anyone struggling with chronic pain—no matter what label you’ve been given (or not given).

First off—what even is TMS?

TMS, or Tension Myositis Syndrome, is a mind-body condition where symptoms like pain, fatigue, and anxiety are created by the brain and nervous system in response to stress, emotions, or past trauma.

It’s not “all in your head”—it’s very real. But the root cause isn’t physical damage. It’s nervous system overload.

If you want a full list of symptoms and conditions that fall under the TMS umbrella, click here to see the full list on my website.
Spoiler: it includes things like back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic fatigue, IBS, pelvic pain, and anxiety—just to name a few.

6 Reasons Why You Don’t Need a Diagnosis to Start the TMS Process

Even if you’re not 100% sure what’s causing your symptoms, here’s why it’s still worth exploring the TMS approach:

1. It’s Non-Invasive and 100% Safe

Unlike surgery or medication, TMS relief strategies don’t come with risks or side effects.
You’re not doing anything that could make your symptoms worse. You’re simply learning to regulate your nervous system, reconnect to your body, and process stress in healthier ways.
Even if your pain turned out to be from something else, nothing in the TMS approach would harm you—in fact, it would probably help.

2. You Can Still See Doctors and Specialists

This isn’t a “ditch your doctor” approach. You can continue to seek medical advice and get tests if that gives you peace of mind.
What you’re doing here is adding another layer—one that addresses the emotional and neurological causes of pain that traditional medicine often overlooks.

3. It Gets to the Root of Chronic Pain

Most treatments just manage symptoms. The TMS process digs deeper.
It explores your emotional history, your stress levels, your perfectionism or people-pleasing habits, and the ways your nervous system has learned to stay on high alert.

If your pain is stuck because your brain thinks you’re still in danger, no pill or scan is going to fix that. But nervous system regulation, IFS therapy, and stress relief practices can.

4. You Can Start Without Certainty

I can’t tell you how many people say: “I just need to be sure before I commit.”
But the truth is—you don’t need to be sure. You just need to be curious enough to explore.

Pain often exists on a spectrum. Some people are 100% TMS, others are 60/40. Doesn’t matter.
What matters is that the work we do helps calm the entire system, regardless of the cause.

5. It Empowers You to Be the Healer

Most treatments put the solution outside of you: a surgeon, a diagnosis, a specialist.
The TMS process puts the power back in your hands. You learn to tune into your body, regulate your own nervous system, shift limiting beliefs, and process buried emotions.

This isn’t just about pain relief—it’s personal transformation.

6. It Improves More Than Just Your Pain

Even if your symptoms don’t vanish overnight, this work helps you feel more grounded, resilient, and connected.
It reduces anxiety. It improves emotional regulation. It builds awareness and self-trust.
Honestly? It’s stress relief for your entire life—not just your body.

Want to Get Started?

You can join my pain relief community for free—where you'll get access to support, live workshops, Q&As, creative healing tools, and a community of people who get it.
We’ve got people healing from back pain, pelvic pain, IBS, anxiety, fatigue, and so much more.

Click here to join the community for free and take your first step toward real relief.