If you suffer from back pain, there are any number of home remedies you can try, after you have had a thorough check-up from your doctor and know you wont do more harm than good. There are over-the-counter analgesics, heating pads, shoe inserts, back and neck braces and prescription pain medication. Because of the temporary nature of painkillers, you may want to find a different route to feeling better. Another avenue to try is that of acupressure, which can relieve pain by increasing blood circulating in the area stimulated, can release endorphins (natures painkillers), and can cause muscles to relax, relieving any nerve pinches which may cause pain.

Acupressure is an ancient tool of traditional Chinese medicine, that works on balancing the bodys natural energy, by applying pressure to different parts of the body known as acupressure points. Fingertips, the points of elbows, and feet are the bodys tools for stimulating these pressure points. Using the Chinese method of acupressure focuses on the Qi, which is the bodys energy, by altering the local area affected by pain, or by sending the energy to different parts of the body that are sympathetic to the affected areas. You can try simple acupressure at home, but more comprehensive results will be seen by seeing a professional practitioner of this ancient art. It is a complex treatment, and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge of all the intricacies is common among its healers.

Before attempting acupressure on yourself, be sure to keep the following things in mind: Breathe deeply and naturally for maximum relaxation; focus your entire attention on the acupressure point as you apply pressure; and, keep pressure constant and strong, but not so strong as to cause extreme discomfort.

Two key areas that can benefit your lower back through acupressure are the Urinary Bladder 23 and Urinary Bladder 52 (go online or find a book to do research on the different meridians, or pathways, that acupressure focuses on to relieve different parts of the body). The way to find these points, is to place your hands on the smallest part of your waist, right above your hip-bones. Form your hands into a cup with your fingers in front of your body and your thumbs in back, and bring your thumbs up along the muscles on either side of the spine. Both pressures points are located under your thumbs. Steadily press down on these pressure points until you can feel the muscle relax.

Another pressure point is found in your hand. Hold your hand out, palm down, and look at the area where the thumb and forefinger meet. Within this webbing, feel all the way down to where the bones meet. Along the forefinger bone, all the way at the end (near the webbing) is a point where you will feel tenderness. The right hand affects the left side of your back; the left affects the right. Gently and steadily press on this tender area until it feels more relaxed and less painful. Your back should feel correspondingly less tender and feel less pain.