You’ve probably tried everything you could possibly think of to relieve your back pain – but maybe not WD40.
Rubbing the industrial lubricant onto the affected region is just one of many wacky home remedies those desperate to relieve their pain have tried.
Others have bizarrely tried hanging off a door frame, drinking their own urine and using their own sofa to ease their pain. Some even believe their pain is worse when there’s a full moon.
But now experts have de-bunked the myths and explained how those in crippling pain shouldn’t always rest despite how comforting it may be. Instead, they should try exercising or yoga – which has been touted as a potential cure.
The unusual treatments were revealed by the British Chiropractic Association. Back specialists across the country provided them with a list of strange ‘cures’ their patients had tried to soothe their pain.
Desperate to relieve their pain, some have tried wacky home remedies, including rubbing industrial lubricant WD40 on their affected region
Others have bizarrely tried drinking their own urine, according to members of the British Chiropractic Association (stock)
Rishi Loatey, of the BCA, said: ‘I see patients every week who share their strange stories about how they’ve tried to cure their back pain, or why they think they’re suffering in the first place.
‘And, while some of these may seem amusing, there is a really serious message here.
‘If people don’t know enough about what causes back pain or how best to treat it they could not only delay their recovery but potentially aggravate their problem.’
Common misconceptions
The BCA also surveyed 2,004 adults and found one-in-two people believe you should always rest a bad back – increasing to two-in-three 16-24 year olds.
In fact, moderate activity is usually the best idea not only to strengthen muscles but improve posture.
Additionally over four-in-ten believe back or neck pain is simply part of the ageing process. But lifestyle factors such as inactivity are more often to blame.
The unusual treatments, which included using sofa to ease the pain, were revealed by the BCA as it attempts to debunk myths about the chronic condition
Back specialists across the country provided a list of strange ‘cures’ their patients had tried to soothe their pain. Some have tried hanging off a door frame to dampen their pain
Furthermore only a third of people are aware simply keeping well hydrated can help prevent back pain.
How many people are affected?
Lower back pain affects four of every five people in the UK at some point in their life, and is one of the most common medical complaints seen by GPs.
Despite most people experiencing the problem, there are few effective treatments available for patients left in discomfort.
For decades powerful painkillers have been doled out in their millions to relieve the agony of back pain.
However, growing evidence suggests the drugs are ineffective for the complaint, as well as being highly addictive.
Researchers have touted trendy yoga as being a useful tool for people who struggle to ease their pain in recent years.