A Pat on the Back

The recent article “Help for the Sufferers of Those Aching Backs” was informative and particularly enlightening. For far too long, backaches have been a misunderstood and costly health problem.

As your article suggested, recent research into the cause and treatment of common backaches amends and augments current practices among health professionals. Ongoing research into spinal biomechanics, diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders, the genetics of neuromusculo-skeletal defects, and preventive practices is encouraging as the health-care community works with this perplexing problem.

At the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, our faculty is currently involved in nine separate research projects designed to enhance our understanding of and contribute to the treatment of spinal disorders. These projects are conducted in cooperation with regional, state and national institutions representing chiropractic, medicine and the physical sciences. A great deal of optimism exists that through interdisciplinary efforts, the health-care professions can bring both preventive and remedial assistance to those suffering from this costly and painful condition.

E. MAYLON DRAKE Ed.D., president

Los Angeles College of Chiropractic

Whittier