5 Natural Back Pain Remedies
Five Popular Medication Free Back Pain Remedies
Pain medications remain to be among the most frequently used treatments for back pain relief but that doesn’t mean that they are the best or most effective back pain remedies. According to many health experts, natural back pain remedies are still the best choice because they cause fewer side effects, are less costly, and are just as effective as most medications, if not more so in many cases.
Despite these benefits, people are still generally averse to using natural back pain treatments, but only because they don’t know much about these different options. This article aims to change that by providing some basic information about the five most popular medication-free back pain remedies today.
- Acupuncture. Originating from ancient Chinese medicine, acupuncture makes use of long, thin needles that are inserted into specific points in the body, unblocking the energy that is trapped in the body and causes pain. The scientific explanation of why acupuncture works is that it encourages the release of substances in the body that numbs pain.
- Capsaicin. One of the most frequently used natural back pain remedies, capsaicin gels and creams contain extracts from hot chili peppers. Ironically, these peppers are known for their sting and so it may seem counterproductive to use them as pain relievers. You will feel a brief burning in the area where you apply the cream but it won’t last and the pain will soon be gone as well.
- Willow bark. The bark of the white willow contains salicin, a natural substance that is the basic ingredient of aspirin. In fact, the effects of willow bark are essentially the same as those of aspirin, which is not only to get rid of pain but also to bring down inflammation. There are also natural NSAID pain relievers available.
- Yoga. If the use of any medication, whether natural or artificial, is not preferable for you for whatever reason, then doing yoga would be among the best back pain remedies you can use. The gentle movements of yoga are very effective for eliminating pain in the back and neck areas, as well as for stimulating blood circulation and cellular oxygenation. They are often exercises used for lower back pain.
- Back massage. These are probably the easiest and most accessible of all back pain remedies. You can ask anyone to give you a massage when back pain strikes even if they don’t have formal training but of course, you will likely enjoy more relief if you hire a professional masseuse to do the job. Back massages work very well because they stimulate the back flow and also ensures the continuous flow of energy throughout the body.
Effective Ways For Getting Back Pain Relief Naturally
Back Pain Relief Methods
Millions of people who suffer from back pain believe that the best way to get back pain relief is to take pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. Although these medications may help reduce the pain, they don’t provide a long-term solution because they do not address the root of the problem. Sometimes the problem is not even in your back, it can be from your hips or knees for instance.
So the first step you need to take in order to get long-lasting back pain relief is to find out what it is that is causing your pain.
- Have you suffered from any physical injury affecting your back?
- Have you been diagnosed with some kind of medical condition?
There are times when you will be able to easily identify the cause of your back pain on your own but there are also instances where you need to undergo special tests in order to figure it out. For example, if you have a job that requires you to sit in front of the computer all day, it’s possible that that’s where your back pain is coming from.
Natural Methods For Back Pain Relief
No matter what the cause of the pain is, you should realize that there are other ways to get back pain relief other than taking medications. Acupuncture, for instance, has been tried and tested for centuries and has always been recommended as one of the most effective ways to get back pain relief. Besides eliminating the pain in your back, acupuncture may also be able to stop the underlying cause of the back pain, whether it be a muscle injury or an internal problem.
Acupuncture – In order to get the most out of acupuncture, you have to be sure that the person doing the treatment is qualified and knows exactly what he is doing. The objective of acupuncture is to ensure the continuous flow of energy throughout the body. Pain signifies that the energy is being blocked and therefore needs to be unblocked by stimulating the right area in the body. This is done by inserting very thin needles into the skin at precisely the corrects spots. Acupuncture is a very delicate procedure and so only a qualified person should do it.
Bowen Therapy – Next to acupuncture, Bowen therapy is another natural method for getting back pain relief. Developed by world-renowned osteopath Tom Bowen, this procedure is basically a massage that combines the application of gentle pressure and the gentle pushing and pulling of the muscles. Notice the word ‘gentle.’ It is not hard manipulation, although there are various forms used by therapists.
It aims to relax the muscles in the back and free them from any pain and discomfort. It seems very simplistic but it is actually a very efficient way of achieving back pain relief without the use of any medication or other artificial substances. I personally have benefited from Bowen Therapy and the therapist showed me how simple a technique it is, whereby I learned how easy it is to help someone else. Just by gentle manipulation the muscles do indeed relax.
Back Pain Exercises and Stretches – These exercises are excellent for lower back pain and the lower back pain relief stretches you do also improve and build strength into the supportive surrounding muscles. You can ask your physiotherapist about specific exercises to perform but there are also exercise programs you can do at home. (You can read my: Lose The Back Pain Review for details.)
Natural Pain Relievers - There are also vitamins and supplements for relieving inflammation. There are natural alternatives to NSAIDs that can ease the back pain caused from herniated discs (and yes I am speaking from experience), sciatica and fibromyalgia. As you can see there are choices you can choose from to find natural back pain relief.
