Everyone feels a twinge of back pain from time to time. But, what happens when that nagging twinge becomes a full-blown ache? You forget to lift with your knees. You twist this way or turn that way. Oh, the pain! You know it's not a serious injury but even so, you need relief. If you'd rather not take powerful drugs to take the edge off, here are some natural options.
Everyone, regardless of age, status or nationality, is susceptible to back pain. Sooner or later, it will get you, too. That's why it's good to know about truly natural methods that bring welcome and effective pain relief.
Licensed naturopath physician Cathy Wong has shared fifteen natural back pain remedies. She advised that when back pain affects you, the first step to finding a treatment should be a proper assessment by a healthcare provider.
If you choose to use natural back pain relief, you have several options to consider. Not all patients will find relief with every remedy, so be sure to seek professional advice before starting any treatment.
Here are some methods of relieving back pain, the natural way:
The Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique goes hand in hand with choosing a healthy lifestyle. This school of thought encourages people to improve their posture and eliminate bad habits. This technique was developed by an Australian actor named Frederick Matthias Alexander, who discovered that he could correct the "croaky" quality of his voice simply by standing tall instead of slouching.
Soothing Heat with Capsaicin Cream
An active ingredient in chili peppers, capsaicin cream when applied to the skin provides an analgesic effect as it reduces the substance P, a neurochemical that transmits pain. You may remember that analgesic is one of the many back pain remedies. A typical dosage is 0.025% capsaicin cream, four times a day. If possible, wear gloves when rubbing it to any part of your body.
Bowen Rehabilitation
Tom Bowen, an Australian osteopath, developed a method of gentle bodywork to relieve pain. Long recognized in Europe as an effective way of relieving back pain, the Bowen Rehabilitation method is now popular in North America as well. Therapists performing the Bowen Rehabilitation method will complete a series of movements using their thumbs and fingers. The specialist pulls the skin away from the muscle, applies pressure and immediately releases the tension.
Music Therapy
Music is said to be able to soothe the savage beast. Even the unruly creature known as your sciatica may be comforted by music. Always lauded for its ability to ease stress, anxiety and depression, musical therapy has immediate benefits easing sciatica discomfort, but the long-term effects are less astounding.
Vitamin D
Many natural sources of Vitamin D can bring back pain relief. Vitamin D is found in salmon and other small-boned fish, plus cereal grains, fortified milk and exposure to natural sunlight. People in their advanced years should limit exposure to the sun. Try supplementing your diet with glucocorticoid medications, which can also benefit conditions like lung diseases and allergy irritations. Vitamin D can be a viable source for natural back pain relief, but there are certain risks and side effects, including digestive disorders and darker pigmented skin.
Willow Bark for Back Pain
The bark of salix alba tree is known to be a viable source of salicin, a natural back pain reliever. The body converts salicin into salicylic acid, which is believed to be an active compound that eases pain and inflammation.
If you suffer with back pain, but you're just not ready to turn to pharmaceutical medications, try one of these methods of finding natural back pain relief.