Back pain can be crippling. From sitting too closely in your chair at work to lifting heavy objects, the discomfort associated with back issues can keep us from enjoying life to its fullest.
Natural remedies may provide effective relief without drugs or side effects. Here are a few natural remedies you could try: 1. Sip some tea made of chamomile, valerian root or vervain for pain reduction and to relax muscles. These herbs have been demonstrated to effectively do just that! 2. Use essential oils like peppermint to relax tight muscles. 3. Try drinking chamomile tea. Studies have proven the effectiveness of using these aromatic plants against muscle spasms and help alleviate tension headaches.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy can help relax muscles and relieve pain. It also encourages blood vessels to dilate, improving circulation and aiding healing. You can use electric heating pads, hot baths or moist heat packs for this process.
Consideration should be given when employing this remedy; heat can exacerbate strained and pulled muscles by applying heat directly onto inflamed tissues, exacerbating pain further and leading to tissue damage. Furthermore, applying heat repeatedly over an extended period may result in skin burns.
Spinal manipulation, when performed by a physical therapist or healthcare provider, may provide natural relief of back pain. Studies show this method to be effective; however, multiple sessions may be required before seeing results. Massage may also prove beneficial.
Capsaicin Cream
Capsaicin, the chemical that gives chilli peppers their distinctive spicy heat, can also be purchased in cream form for external application. When applied directly to skin, capsaicin confuses nerve endings in muscles by creating heat sensation instead of pain sensation, possibly depleting body reserves of Substance P neurotransmitters responsible for conveying pain signals from nerves to the brain.
Homemade capsaicin creams can be easily created at home using cayenne powder combined with oils such as olive and coconut, combined in a double boiler. After the mixture cools down it should be stored in an area with low light to avoid becoming rancid over time.
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not apply it directly onto open wounds, sunburned, windburned or chapped skin, eyes, mouth, nose or rectum as this medication could cause severe irritation and burning if inhaled into these areas; inhaling may even lead to coughing and bronchoconstriction symptoms if used improperly.
Cherry Juice
Inflammation is one of the primary sources of back pain, and cherries (particularly Montmorency tart varieties) have been demonstrated to provide anti-inflammatory benefits in studies. Cherry juice contains compounds that provide similar levels of anti-inflammatory activity as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs without side effects.
A 2013 small study demonstrated that participants who consumed two 8-ounce bottles of tart cherry juice every day for six weeks experienced significant reductions in joint stiffness and inflammation symptoms when compared with those drinking placebo beverages.
Though further study is required, the results of this research are encouraging and provide an alternative natural treatment option to taking NSAIDs. If you want to give tart cherry juice a try, be sure to choose a brand without added sugars or sweeteners, or make your own by mixing cherries with water or fruit juice concentrate.
Lifestyle Changes
Your lifestyle changes could help ease back pain. Stay away from over-the-counter pain relievers that only mask symptoms, such as Tylenol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen). Such medications could actually make things worse over time.
Adopt a diet low in sugar and fat to manage inflammation and keep weight down for reduced stress on the spine.
Exercise regularly to achieve better balance and flexibility. Gentle stretching exercises can ease tight muscles and tense joints. Try yoga or tai chi for breathing exercises that increase flexibility while relieving tension, as well as postures to relax you and relieve stress.
Sleeping on a firm mattress can help alleviate back strain, while placing a rolled up towel under your knees may further enhance comfort by relieving pressure from the lower spine. Smoking weakens spinal bones and depletes nutrients needed for cushioning disks that cushion your spine – both which contribute to greater backache.