E
ffective Alternative Medicines For Back P
ain
Back pain affects 60 - 80% of the adult U.S. population. Back problems affect the spine's flexibility, stability, and strength, which can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness.
Alternative medicine for back pain is now gaining wider acceptance in helping easing the pain as well as problems associated with back pain. The good news is that alternative medicines for back pain are available in a bigger number of ways that are supposed to help provide relief from the condition. Also, alternative medicine for back pain is not something new and has been in existence longer than the allopathic treatments have been known that are now so widely used in the Western world today.
Complementary and Alternative Medicines For Back Pain
Most herbs have natural anti-inflammatory properties and one such is Bromelain that comes from the pineapple. It is thought that by taking such herbs in large enough amounts you should get relief from back pain.
Alternative medicines for back pain can be effective for easing muscle tension, correcting spinal imbalances, relieving discomfort, and averting long-term back problems by improving muscle strength and joint stability.
Nutrition For Back Pain:
Calcium (1,500 to 2,000 mg) and magnesium (700 to 1,000 mg) to regulate muscle contraction and ease spasm.
B-complex: B1 (50 to 100 mg), B2 (50 mg), B3 (25 mg), B5 (100 mg), B6 (50 to 100 mg), B12 (100 to 1,000 mcg), folate (400 mcg per day) helps reduce stress and pain.
Vitamin E (400 IU per day), vitamin C (250 to 500 mg twice daily)
Bromelain: (250 to 500 mg three times per day on an empty stomach) anti-inflammatory, works especially well with turmeric.
Herbs For Back Pain
Another alternative medicine for back pain is herbs. Herbs are usually prepared as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts).
Pain relief: White willow bark (Salix alba), anti-inflammatory and analgesic; devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), analgesic, anti-inflammatory; St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), anti-inflammatory.
Muscle Relaxants: Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) relaxant; petasites (Petasites hybridus), acute muscle spasm, not for long-term use; valerian (Valeriana officinalis), antispasmodic, especially with sleeplessness; wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), antispasmodic, especially with joint pains and long-term stress; turmeric anti-inflammatory, especially with digestive problems; Jamaica dogwood (Piscidia piscipula), relaxant
Circulatory stimulants: rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis), especially with digestive problems; gingko (Ginkgo biloba), especially with poor circulation
Topical treatment may be helpful for acute back pain problems. Mix 1 to 2 drops of essential oil or 5 to 10 drops of tincture into 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, and rub into the affected area. St. John's wort for nerve pain; leopard's bane (Arnica montana) anti-inflammatory, external use only; lobelia (Lobelia inflata) antispasmodic
Alternative Medicine Teas For Back Pain
Teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Mix three to six of the following (one cup tea or 30 to 60 drops of tincture three to six times per day).
Homeopathy For Back Pain
Some of the most common remedies for this condition are listed below:
Aesculus for dull pain with muscle weakness
Arnica montana, especially with pain as a result of trauma
Colocynthis for weakness and cramping in the small of the back
Gnaphalium for sciatica that alternates with numbness
Lycopodium for burning pain, especially with gas or bloating
Rhus toxicodendron for stiffness and pain in the small of the back
Some Are Not Comfortable
In spite of being around for quite some time, there are still many that are not exactly very comfortable about using such medicines. Still, it is worth looking at some of the alternative medicines for back pain that can prove to be beneficial to patients who dare to use them. The first such alternative medicine for back pain that comes to mind is what is used in trigger point therapy that aims at working on the trigger points for pain in the muscles that are also joined to the autonomic nervous system. Giving an injection into the trigger point that consists of a local anesthetic will scramble the electrical signals relaying pain messages. However, such use of trigger point therapy may require more than one session to work.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is also one of the alternative medicines for back pain that can be used, and it is believed that essential oils are helpful in giving relief from pain because oils such as Thyme, Horse balm, Rosemary as well as Sage have in them natural compounds such as thymol that help the muscles to relax. You will only get the total benefit of such an alternative medicine for back pain if you mix these oils in correct proportion and rub it into the affected areas after your bath because at that time the pores will be open and the muscles absolutely relaxed. Another alternative medicine for back pain is to use certain herbs of which Chamomile is a good example that can help calm the muscle tissue.
Other Alternative Medicines And Back Pain Treatments
Try Hydrotherapy
Contrast hydrotherapy may help. Alternate hot and cold applications. Alternate 3 minutes hot with 1 minute cold. Repeat three times to complete one set. Do two to three sets per day.
Use Castor Oil Packs
Apply oil directly to skin, cover with a clean soft cloth and plastic wrap. Place a heat source over the pack and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Repeat this procedure for 3 consecutive days.
The benefits of alternative medicine for back pain have statistically been proven and the taking of oral medications can often be good enough to provide relief from back pain. Such a means has also proven it effective in bringing down the pain as well as tense muscles.
While depression is usually not the cause of chronic low back pain, it often complicates treatment. Chronic back problems can interfere with everyday activities, sleep, and concentration. Severe symptoms may affect mood and sexuality.
Back Pain Articles:
