A study was performed on 100 patients, none of who suffered from any back pain at the onset of the study, over the course of four years. Participants in the study were required to take psychological tests and their spines were examined through the use of disc injections and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results from the study showed that those who did poorly on the psychological tests were three times more likely to report having experienced back pain.
It was also discovered that patients with backgrounds that contained unresolved worker’s compensation claims had greater chances of developing back pain.
Even patients who had undergone a discography, a fluid injection procedure thought to induce back pain, claimed to feel less pain than those who received lower marks on their psychological test.
Findings from this study have prompted researchers to take into account psychological factors when determining which groups of people would benefit from surgery. The subjects were then observed at yearly intervals to evaluate the incidents of lower back pain. A control group, who didn’t follow the discography procedure, was also studied
In another study, 50 patients with no lower back pain underwent a series of tests to identify the rate of painful disc injections. Researchers followed up with the subjects by asking them a list of standard questions.
The researchers concluded the painful injection wasn’t an indicator of lower back pain, nor did it provide a useful form of measurement. Psychological testing however proved to be a strong independent measurement of future back pain, medication use and work loss.
Spine May 15, 2004;29(10):1112-7
This study confirms the findings of Dr. John Sarno. He is a psychiatrist who has a greater than 80 percent success rate using mind-body techniques to treat low back patients with the worst type of back pain. His specialty is those who have already had surgery for low back pain and still have it.
To me this is one tough group of patients, yet he has a greater than 80 percent success rate using techniques like EFT.
He has written a few books on the subject and if you struggle in this area I encourage you to check them out. Alternatively though you might want to consider an EFT practitioner in your area if back pain is a challenge for you.
In addition to EFT, I have found another tool to use in the area of stress management that is a remarkably effective and efficient (and very affordable) way to help you achieve inner peace and relieve anxieties that are brought upon by chronic pains and emotional challenges.
The Insight audio CD, which I personally listen to and now recommend to my patients, is an exceptional tool to help you target the daily stresses in your life that act as prime contributors to all forms of diseases.
Both of these techniques focus on healing the body and the mind, which is the foundation of my vision--treating the whole body through providing guidance on the best nutrition, medical, emotional therapy and lifestyle choices. This study also strongly supports the link between emotional and physical symptoms.
Of course, another option for those of you with back pain is to visit a chiropractor. Dr. Kent, a regular contributor to this Web site and one of the nation's leading advocates and educators for wellness-oriented chiropractors, has compiled an outstanding and very easy-to-use resource that you can use to find a Chiropractor Leadership Alliance chiropractor in your area.
If you are not yet familiar with the chiropractic philosophy, vitalism is one of its basic foundations. Vitalism is the recognition that there is an intrinsic life force that they call innate, which guides and directs the body's healing process. Many chiropractors hold this philosophical perspective called vitalism, and it is one that I strongly resonate with.
Dr. Ben Lerner, the chiropractor who developed The Center for Maximized Living--the second-largest practice in the history of the chiropractic profession--has written an excellent article on the topic, and I encourage you to read through it for more information. You can also keep an eye out for more of his insightful articles in future newsletter editions.
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