Like many people I suffer with a bad back and I definitely did this weekend when I got home after a cold sunday morning chatting with residents in Blagreaves. I don’t know about you but it takes ages for painkillers to have any affect. That’s why I always remember something that was told told to me 12 years ago whilst I was in hospital recovering from a minor stroke by a patient in the opposite bed. His name was John Beard.

I was taking every tablet given by the doctors and nurses hoping they would ease my pain. One evening John came over to me after seeing me in pain trying to wrestle with one of my socks. I reached for a painkiller and he simply said ‘no need to keep popping those things old chap – laughter is the best medicine’. Every evening he’d pop over and tell me a semi-amusing story or joke. Despite my best efforts I couldn’t laugh but gave him a thankful smile. On the day of my discharge he reminded to me to ‘laugh’ and with one final attempt at a joke – he succeeded in doing so.

For those of you who know me well, you’ll be only too aware that the only thing that makes me cry tears of laughter is by watching Laurel & Hardy and that’s pretty much what I did this sunday. My children brought me the whole DVD  collection a couple of years ago and so with a bad back and a hot mug of spiced tea, I sat down and watched ‘Way Out West’. After half an hour of laughing, my pain seemed a distant memory and although still there, was no longer the main issue. I remembered John again this sunday and silently thanked him for his advice.

Science does confirm that laughter releases ‘feel good’ endorphins in the brain which can have a counter-effect on pain. Indeed, across India and other parts of the world, laughter therapy sessions are prescribed by many doctors with very positive results. It may not work for you but it’s worth a shot and doesn’t cost anything.

Got a bad back? Try a little Laurel & Hardy or whatever else tickles you.