I just discovered this very interesting thread. Best of Mudcat in my opinion...caring folks and good writing.

For a number of years I had excruciating back pain. Because I have a mild curvature of the spine, I was told to just "deal with it". Used muscle relaxers for a long time.

As many of you know I played in bars for 20 years, and for much of that time I'd deal with the pain that often was at it's worst by about 11pm at night. The strangest thing happened on the night I decided to quit the bars, and start playin only "folkie" venues and teach music. The pain ended. Just like that. I haven't taken a muscle relaxer in 15 years...nor a Tum or Rolaid.(for the heartburn that plagued me as much as the back pain)

I want to emphasize that there was no gradual cessation of discomfort....it simply stopped. If ever there was a person who now believes 100% that turning a stressful environment into a comfortable one, can work miracles, it's ME.

Deep inside I'd hated playing "pop" music for drinkers night after night, but it was (on the surface) and easy way to make a decent living. Quitting cold turkey with no guarantees I could support myself outside of bars was terrifying.....but the PHYSICAL relief was incalculable.

Rick