Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-02-26
Stop Killing
Yourself
Whut Is Causing
Back Sposms?
By DR.. PETER J. STElNcRoHN

have been under medical
care for several years due to
an aggravating back condi-
ton. There have been nu-
merous X-rays, consultations
and treatments, such as trac-
ton, muscle relaxants. tran
quilizers, pain killers, etc.
Doctor, I have run the
gamut. have been to an
orthopedist. neurospecialist.
chiropractor, oSteopath, in
ternist and back to the or
thopedist, but no one has
given me permanent relief.
II I accidentally lean to
the right my back goes into
q muscle spaSm and the pain
gets unbearable. The doctor
gives me pills and after rest
ing for a while, I'm back on
my feet again.
The doctors all seem TO
have a different solution. I
don't know whose advice TO
take. No one can tell me in
plain and simple terms what
the trouble is. The internist
wants to inject my back, but
the orthopedist sort OF shrugs
his shoulders. Another doctor
suggests traction.
I ask you doctor, where
shall l turn2 / have very
real pain and very obvious
spasms. / have q family and
I am q career woman and
the last thing in this world
l want is to be O cripple.
Please give me your opin-
ion. as I respect your ad-
vice. My X-rays show no
disorder. which illustrates
everyone. Thank you.
Mrs. M.
TO UNDERSTAND the
general background OF your
problem, I suggest that you
read my leaflet on arthritis.
In 1t you will learn the
basic steps that should be
taken to overcome the dis
comfort.
Now, as for your specific
problem: Diagnosis. I admit
1t can often be q stubborn
roadblock. Your X-rays are
negative and the doctors
can't seem to find the cause
Of your pain. Naturally. I
can only guess from way
back here. I don't even know
how old you are.
Sometimes unexplained
back pains occur In women
who are going through the
menopause. Has that been
considered (if you are in the
age range)2 Has fibrositis
been ruled out, which is q
painful inflammation in the
muscles and fibrous It's
sue and not due to arthri-
tbs?
Your kidneys are negative?
You are sure you haven't q
stone7 You say you are Q
career woman. Are you under
too much tension caring for
q family and q Job in an
office at the same time?
Perhaps the most common
cause Of back pain is arthri-
tbs. However. there's no sense
In trying TO pin the cause of
your trouble on this disease,
when overlooked conditions
(such as I've mentioned)
might be the actual cause.
WHAT TO DO NOW?
Sometimes q new start is the
answer. Ask your present
doctor to refer you to some
well-known clinic where you
can receive a new, impersonal
diagnosis. Sometimes the
fresh, new viewpoint leads to
q solution of the problem.
For Mrs. c.: The letters
FA.C.P. after q physicians
name indicate that he Is Q
Fellow Of the American COL
lege Of Physicians-an organ
ization Of specialists in in
ternal medicine.
For waiting Patiently:
There is no harm In taking
Vitamin B complex for
months II your doctor has
ordered 1t and finds good rea-
son for its continued use.
DR.. Stetncrohn's IeaJlet.
Hon TO Manage Arthritts."
UiH be mailed on receipt OF q
stamped, selt-addresSed en-
uelope and 10 cents In coin
for handling. Address DT.
StetHcrohn In care OF The
EuentnO Star.