Laughter and Low Back Pain

Backaches and sciatica image.

Rather than numbing the problem with drugs, or surgically removing the problem, we have always been proud of the fact that we seek the underlying cause of a patient’s low back pain or sciatic nerve involvement.

While vertebral subluxation is a common culprit, a closer look shows another issue: psychosocial issues. That’s a fancy way of saying that your psychological response to social situations may be a contributing factor to your low back pain.

Back pain is a worldwide problem and is the leading cause of disability in the USA. Lost productivity and treatment tax the health care system, with 20% of patients seeking the advice of more than one doctor. In the UK, almost 10% of adults consult a doctor each year due to back pain.

Research is showing that depression and chronic low back pain may be related. In a sample of 31 veterans with chronic low back pain who completed a depression questionnaire inventory, those who suffered from depression scored significantly higher than those who weren’t.

A conclusion? Laugh! Get regular chiropractic adjustments and laugh. In fact, try laughing while you’re getting adjusted!

Dr. Mitch Asks some important questions of interest to Lutherville residents - Chiropractor Lutherville Dr. Mitch Asks...

Why is a "slipped disc" unlikely?
Separating each spinal vertebra is a disc. Its fibrous outer ring holds in a jelly-like material. Because of the way a disc attaches to the spinal bones above and below it, it can't actually "slip." However, a disc can bulge, tear, herniate, thin and collapse. But it can't slip.
Are aches and pains good or bad?
While aches or pains may be unpleasant, they're merely warning signs. As a Lutherville chiropractor, I see this all the time. The pain is not the problem! It just means a limitation has been reached and something needs to change. That's when we get to work correcting the underlying cause.