It seems almost everyone experiences lower back pain at some point in their lives. It can be contributed to all sorts of problems from muscle strain, stress, a previous injury, herniated disc or even a tumor. It is important to find out what is causing the back pain by your primary care provider, however, here are some natural remedies to consider.
1. YOGA - is one of the best ways to alleviate or eliminate pain in the back as well as the entire body. The postures in Yoga called Asana are designed to make space in the body without struggle. Struggle is the opposite of yoga. Even if you arrive at your yoga class feeling anxious or stressed, you will walk out of class feeling relaxed, calm and pain-free. It is important to be consistent with your Yoga practice to reap the endless health benefits of better sleep, weight loss, a sense of well-being and reduced back pain.
2. Vitamin D - chronic muscle pain can be a symptom of a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is found in fortified milk and many cereals, fish with small bones and when you are exposed to sunlight, your body will produce Vitamin D.
If you are deficient in Vitamin D, you may experience:
- digestive disorders like celiac disease and you should avoid gluten - a protein found in wheat
- allergies
- difficulty with medications
- lack of sunshine, especially in northern climates
Look for a Vitamin D3 supplement available at your local health food store.
3. Music Therapy - is a great, low cost, effective way to reduce the disability, anxiety and depression that often comes with chronic pain. You will be amazed how effective music is in reducing pain in the lower back.
4. Capsaicin Cream Patches - Capsaicin is the active ingredient found in chili peppers and if you have ever eaten a chili pepper and experienced the burn in your mouth, then you know exactly what capsaicin does.
It is available in small and large patches at your local drug store or health food store, and when you apply them to your skin, the capsaicin in the patch depletes substance P- a neurochemical that transmits the pain and causes an analgesic effect.
Make sure you wash your hands after applying the cream direct or if you use a patch and avoid touching your eyes or open skin.
5. Acupuncture - Many people do very well with acupuncture treatments and report reduced pain and are less likely to use pain medications because it works so well. How does it work? According to Chinese medicine, pain results from blocked energy along energy pathways of the body.
The needles help to unblock the pain when inserted along these energy pathways. A treatment generally costs between $60 - $100 and some insurance plans do pay for acupuncture. You need to plan on going 3 times per week initially to see results.
It is important to do all you can reduce your lower back pain and trying natural remedies is the first step to a healthier back and body. I wish you pain-free health, always!
