In this day and age, more and more people are leading sedentary lifestyles that often lead to various health issues. One of them is back pain, and most Americans had to miss work or visit the doctor because of it at least once in their life. In fact, more than 80 percent of people in America have experienced or will experience low back pain. If you want to steer clear of pain killers and opt for natural remedies, there are numerous solutions to your problem you could try out. However, if you are going to avoid standard care, talk to your health provider first. Although various natural remedies may offer relief for mild to moderate back pain, it is important to check with your doctor whether your decision may be harmful to your health.
Massage Therapy
Many people swear that massage therapy helps them relax and eases chronic pain. A study showed that massage may be an effective treatment option in the short term and since it doesn’t have any side effects it may be considered as a viable remedy for back pain. Another benefit of this therapy is the alleviation of anxiety and depression which are often associated with chronic pain. In case you don’t have time to visit a professional masseur, you can easily give yourself a massage at home by using a foam roller. This simple device will bring instant pain relief and even improve your posture. Keep in mind that it comes in several variations – the standard, EPA and EVA ones. If you are interested in relaxing your back muscles with this device, find foam roller that suits your needs and give it a try.
Acupuncture
This component of traditional Chinese medicine has been proven to be a useful supplement to other forms of conventional therapy. Acupuncture can ease the pain, send signals to the sympathetic nervous system, and release hormones. According to traditional Chinese medicine, pain is caused by blocked energy, which can be unblocked with acupuncture needles. Although those huge needles can look a little bit scary, acupuncture doesn’t hurt. If you wish to get rid of chronic pain with acupuncture, plan on going up to three times a week for several weeks initially. You should know that acupuncture may be tax-deductible as a medical expense, and it might be wise to see whether your insurance plans pay for this type of therapy.
Chiropractic Care
By applying a controlled force to joints, doctors of chiropractic are able to restore joint mobility, relieve pain and muscle tightness. Whether you have chronic low back pain, acute low back pain or sub-acute low back pain chiropractic care has been proven to help. The best way to speed up recovery and protect yourself against future episodes of back pain is to combine chiropractic care with exercise.
Capsaicin Cream
Although you have probably felt its effect more than once, odds are you have no idea what capsaicin is. It is the active ingredient in chili peppers that makes you feel like your mouth is on fire. Well, when capsaicin cream is applied to the skin it causes an analgesic effect. You can find this cream in most drug stores, health food stores, as well as online. Since it causes a burning sensation, it is recommendable to wear disposable gloves when applying the cream and make sure not to touch the eye area.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D will not cure your back pain on its own, but if you are suffering from vitamin D deficiency you might not respond to pain treatments. Therefore, it is important you make sure your vitamin D levels are by the book if you are experiencing back pain. Although the best way to get more of this nutrient is to spend time in the sunlight, you can also include more fish into your meal plans and take a dietary supplement.
Anti-Inflammatory Herbs
Since inflammation plays a significant role in the development of back pain, herbs that have anti-inflammatory effects can help you feel better. White willow bark contains salicin, which is converted in the body to salicylic acid and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the human body just like aspirin. Although its name doesn’t sound very trustworthy, devil’s claw is an herb that can help you with your back pain. It contains harpagosides, chemical compounds that possess anti-inflammatory properties, so it can relieve pain.
Yoga
This ancient discipline is good for your mind, soul, body and especially your back pain. Since it helps you develop flexibility and strength through various poses, practicing yoga can lead to a significant reduction in low back pain.
Vitamin B12
If you are dealing with back pain as well as irritability, mild memory impairment, and depression, you might be suffering from B12 deficiency. Pernicious anemia, use of certain medications, inadequate intake of meat or dairy products as well as digestive diseases are all risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency, so visit your doctor and see whether this is the cause of your problem. Is so, vitamin B12 muscle injections will help you feel as good as new.
If you spend most hours of the days sitting or lifting things, exercising regularly while protecting your back can help keep your pain from becoming chronic. However, if the pain is already in this stage, it might be wise to consult your doctor before you take any further steps.