The Healing Power of Laughter: Unveiling the Connection Between Laughter and Physical Pain
Deb Creer joins Dr. Brad Miller on this episode of Cancer and Comedy, a podcast dedicated to turning life’s hardest battles into moments of joy. Deb is a longtime advocate for humor as a healing tool, helping cancer patients and their families find light even in the darkest of times. Through her work on this show, Deb has become a champion for blending laughter and hope to ease the pain of cancer, both physically and emotionally.
In this episode, Deb and Dr. Brad explore the theme: From Pain to Laughter: The Surprising Connection Between Humor and Physical Healing. Together, they share personal stories, including Brad's recent experience with a softball mishap that left him sore but laughing, and reflect on the power of laughter to alleviate pain. Drawing from research and personal insights, they discuss how humor serves not only as a distraction from suffering but also as a genuine force for healing.
Deb's passion for using humor as a form of support for cancer survivors shines through, and the episode is packed with heartwarming, humorous moments that are sure to inspire listeners who may be facing their own battles with illness or hardship. This episode of Cancer and Comedy is a must-listen for anyone seeking a lighter, more hopeful approach to dealing with life’s challenges.
Cancer and Comedy with Dr. Brad Miller is a weekly podcast aimed at helping people “cope with hope” through the healing powers of humor and community. Be sure to tune in and follow us at cancerandcomedy.com/follow.
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Deb Creer: [0:00]
Hey there, Lifter Uppers. I'm Deb Creer, the co-host of Cancer and Comedy, where our mission is to heal cancer-impacted people through hope and humor — something we like to call turning the grim into a grin. Today, on Cancer and Comedy, our topic is From Pain to Laughter: The Surprising Connection Between Humor and Physical Healing. Now here's the host of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller.
Dr. Brad Miller: [0:28]
Hey, thank you, Deb, always a pleasure and privilege to be with you and our Lifter Uppers, our Cancer and Comedy audience. This is the place where we like to turn the grimness of something like cancer into the grin of celebrating life, whatever that means to you. Our mission is to develop a community of people who help one another face cancer and other traumas with hope.
There’s a place to get connected to what we’re about here in the Cancer and Comedy community by going to [cancerandcomedy.com/follow](http://cancerandcomedy.com/follow). Now, Deb, one thing we love to do here is tell dumb dad jokes. That's where I come in! I’ve got a couple for you. Are you ready?
Deb Creer: [1:21]
I am ready! I’ve been waiting all week for this.
Dr. Brad Miller: [1:23]
Oh, my goodness. I hope so, because these are almost too good to be true. What is fast, loud, and crunchy?
Deb Creer: [1:32]
I don’t know.
Dr. Brad Miller: [1:33]
A rocket chip!
Deb Creer: [1:37]
Cute.
Dr. Brad Miller: [1:38]
One more: What did the left eye say to the right eye?
Deb Creer: [1:42]
I don’t know.
Dr. Brad Miller: [1:43]
Just between us, something smells!
Deb Creer: [1:45]
Boo! Well, for all you long-time listeners, you know that following our conversation, we’re going to have another one of Dr. Brad’s Bad Jokes of the Day. And, of course, we’ll have our important Faith It or Break It segment. We’d love for you to be part of our Cancer and Comedy community, where together we can crush cancer with a message of hope and humor. Please follow us at [cancerandcomedy.com/follow](http://cancerandcomedy.com/follow). So Brad, I hear you experienced a little pain and laughter on the softball field recently. Tell us about that.
Dr. Brad Miller: [2:34]
Oh my, let me tell you, I am still hurting! I did something I hadn’t done in 21 years — I played on my church softball team. I’ve always enjoyed playing softball, and when my church put out a call for players, I thought, "Why not?" I was the pitcher, just like in the old days. We played a doubleheader, and although I did okay, I quickly realized that running the bases was not my forte anymore. Let’s just say, my hamstrings are still mad at me.
During the game, a young guy hit a screaming line drive that came right at me. I ducked, but it hit my shoulder instead, and I went down. Everyone rushed over, thinking I was done for! But I popped right back up and made a joke about protecting my face — the money maker, right? But the whole experience was funny in a way. Despite the pain, the laughter and camaraderie were worth it. It reminded me of our topic today — the connection between pain and laughter.
Deb Creer: [6:52]
I definitely believe there’s a connection. Pain has a purpose, but laughter allows you to forget about it, even if just for a moment. When you're laughing, it's like the pain diminishes. It’s almost like you can’t laugh and say "ow" at the same time.
Dr. Brad Miller: [7:36]
Exactly! There’s something about laughter that shifts our focus from the pain. I recently read a book called Laughter Therapy by Annette Goodhart, where she talks about how laughter can actually help alleviate physical pain. She shares a story about a woman with a shoulder injury who was asked to yell "ow" while moving her arm. The louder she yelled, the harder she laughed, and the more movement she gained in her shoulder. The laughter helped release her pain. What do you think about that?
Deb Creer: [9:11]
I think it’s true. Pain is there for a reason, but that doesn’t mean we have to stay in it. Laughter helps us release it. We don’t have to be strong all the time; it’s okay to let it out.
Dr. Brad Miller: [9:43]
Absolutely. In our Cancer and Comedy community, we aim to help people cope with hope and humor. Pain doesn’t have to rule us. Whether it’s through laughter, friendships, or faith, we can live fuller lives despite the pain.
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