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The Trend in Natural Back Pain Relief
In recent years, there has been an increasing trend for natural back pain relief for pain sufferers in whom pain seems to have become a permanent part of their lives. This is largely because of disillusionment and distrust in the pharmaceutical industries. While many promising pain-relieving drugs have been released in the market, subsequent studies on these expensive medications have revealed that they are of even greater risk to human life, having potentially fatal side effects ranging from liver damage to heart attacks and strokes. It certainly is no wonder that people are going back to proven natural methods to get rid of their aches and pains.
15 Most Popular Natural Back Pain Relief
Here are the 15 most popular natural remedies for back pain and to help ensure back health. Not only are they safe, they are affordable too…
Acupuncture
The traditional Chinese medicinal art of acupuncture has long been noted for relieving chronic back pain. According to practitioners, back pain develops when vital energy pathways in the body are blocked. The procedure works by using long, fine needles, which are inserted into these energy pathways in order to unblock them.
Scientific studies on acupuncture have shown that the procedure releases substances in the body called opioids, which send signals that relax the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in the release of hormones and neurochemicals that relieve pain.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 and the other B complex vitamins are probably the favorite vitamins of neurologists, who prescribe them to their patients who are not only suffering from pain, but a variety of nerve disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.
The vitamin — either given orally or by intramuscular injection in cases of severe pain — has been found to reduce pain and disability with regular intake. Aside from that, Vitamin B12 have the added benefits of relieving numbness and paresthesias (“pins and needles” sensation), reduce the fine tremors of Parkinson’s disease, improve memory, and alleviate depression and irritability.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a very important mineral that is involved in vital biochemical processes in the body. The mineral works by maintaining the normal functioning of the muscles and nerves, and aids in keeping the bones strong. Aside from its beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, it also provides support to the immune system and the cardiovascular system.
Magnesium deficiency often manifests especially in training athletes as severe muscle cramps and pain. That is why those who are into heavy activities are advised to take magnesium supplements to relieve their aches and pains.
Vitamin D
Studies have demonstrated that a major cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain is Vitamin D deficiency. Individuals who are at risk of developing chronic pains as a result of a deficiency of this vitamin include races with darker pigmented skin (such as Asians, Hispanics and African-Americans), those with very little sun exposure, individuals taking glucocorticoid medications for allergies and lung disorders, and digestive tract disorders (such as celiac disease). Vitamin D deficiency is best addressed through greater exposure to sunlight, and increased intake of fortified milk and cereals, and the addition of small-boned fish in the diet.
Capsaicin Creams
Capsaicin is the substance in chili peppers that causes the mouth to burn. Manufactured as topical cream preparations, capsaicin works by depleting the pain transmitter substance P in the skin, producing a pain-relieving effect. Studies have demonstrated significant pain relief with application of capsaicin cream four times a day for a duration of 3 weeks.
White Willow Bark
White willow bark contains a substance called salicin, which when extracted and orally taken into the body is converted into salicylic acid, much like the pain-relieving medication aspirin. However, unlike aspirin which may cause gastric irritation, willow bark extract is safer and produced rapid relief in chronic pain patients that is comparable to Cox-2 pain medications.
Yoga
The gentle, but intensive exercises of yoga have long been noted for providing relief for chronic lower back pain through muscle strengthening and increasing the flexibility of the body. Unlike conventional exercises which have a jarring, high impact upon the body, yoga uses a variety of poses that creates a balance in both the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
Breathing Techniques
Breathing techniques have long been associated with yoga, but has since become a separate healing discipline. These techniques involve the use of the connection between the mind and body by making the individual aware of vital aspects in his body through meditation, such as breathing and movement. Through regulated abdominal breathing, it helps to relax both the mind and body, resulting not only in reduced pain, but also stress relief.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic involves manipulating and re-aligning the spine to restore mobility in the joints. The steady pressure on the spine also reduces muscle tightness in order to relieve strain, inflammation and pain. Chiropractic has been found to be most effective in patients suffering from acute back pain and sciatica resulting from protruding discs.
Massage Therapy
Massage is probably the most popular method of relieving back aches and pains, especially among pregnant women. Research has shown that massage is particularly effective in subacute and chronic pain. Because of its relaxing effect, it also helps to relieve anxiety and reduce depression.
Bowen Therapy
While most people think of Bowen Therapy as a type of massage, it is highly specialized type of body work that uses gentle strokes of thumbs and fingers. The procedure involves pulling the skin away from the muscle, applying firm pressure on special receptors located in the muscle, and then quickly releasing the tension. Pressure on these receptors results in the sending of nerve impulses to the brain, producing muscle relaxation and pain relief. Unlike a massage, Bowen Therapy is not a continuous form of treatment, as the therapist has to make the client rest for a few minutes between each move. Depending upon the patient’s condition, a typical Bowen session may last between 30 minutes to as long as an hour.
In recent years, Bowen Therapy is being employed by licensed therapists to boost the immune system of patients suffering from cancer.
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique — developed by Australian actor Frederick Matthias Alexander — is frequently mentioned in medical articles as an effective way of relieving pain. Since the most common cause of back pain is bad posture, this technique works by eliminating bad body habits, such as slouching. The result is relaxation of muscle tension, greater mobility and pain reduction. There are a number of sites on the web that provide videos on the proper way to perform the Alexander Technique.
Prolotherapy
Chronic back pain may be caused by damaged tendons and ligaments in the back which causes instability in the spinal vertebrae. Prolotherapy involves injecting a liquid solution into these tendons and ligaments, triggering local inflammation which in turn induces the immune system to repair these weakened soft tissues, thus relieving pain.
Prolotherapy is best done by a medical doctor (M.D.), osteopath (D.O.), or state-licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.), who is experienced in this procedure as the injection itself may cause mild pain in the affected area, which may require the use of local anesthesia. Depending upon the severity of the back pain, prolotherapy may require 10 to 25 sessions.
Balneotherapy
Many people enjoy going to mineral hot springs for its anti-inflammatory effect and the soothing relief and healing that it gives to their aches and pains. This type of therapy for pain relief is actually called balneopathy, and it could even be done at home.
A form of hydrotherapy, it involves bathing in warm water or mineral water (preferably with sulphur-containing salts). Studies have shown that balneotherapy has resulted in pain relief and improved mobility in lower back pain sufferers.
This form of therapy, however, is not recommended in patients with heart conditions.
Music Therapy
What? Yes, as the saying goes… if music can soothe the savage beast, then it could also relieve lower back pain. Research conducted on music therapy has shown a reduction not only in pain, but also in disability, depression, and anxiety among sufferers of chronic pain.
Of course, the type of music is also very important. Music genres that have been found to have pain-relieving effects are classical music and ballads. Music with fast rhythms such as hip hop and rock music only increases heart rate and induces anxiety.
Why go for natural back pain relief?
Anyone who has grown tired of the side effects of pharmaceutical products should give these natural back pain relief treatments a try.
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