Natural Back Pain Relief and Remedies To Consider

Read Time:3 Minute, 53 Second

Back pain is something many people deal with in the United States, and it can stem from different causes. Some back pain may be from auto accidents, for example. 38% of spinal injuries occur in car accidents. These kinds of injuries can affect any part of the back from top-to-bottom.

Other common reasons for back pain are:

Ruptured or bulging discs
Strain to the ligament or muscle which can often occur because of repeatedly lifting heavy items or a sudden awkward movement
Osteoarthritis which affects the lower back and spine
Irregularities in the skeletal system
Osteoporosis

When you struggle with back pain of any kind, it can interfere with your quality of life.

However, medical treatments for back pain can often include medications and surgery, both of which have risks.

While you should always follow instructions from your doctor, there are alternative treatments that some people feel helps them deal with their back pain more effectively.

Massage

Massage is an excellent alternative way to deal with back pain. When you use massage as part of your treatment protocol, you may see not only lessening of your pain but also improved function, reduced need for anti-inflammatory medications, and less time spent lying down or in bed.

Massage helps in many different ways. First, it can help increase your production of endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals.

Massage improves blood flow and circulation, which helps all of your muscles and tissues, and it can help you recover more quickly from soft tissue injuries. Massage reduces muscle tension, and it can also help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which often accompany back pain.

Stretching

Adding stretching to your daily routine can be beneficial for dealing with back pain, but it can also improve your overall mental and physical health and wellness.

Stretching can both loosen and strengthen muscles, but you should never do any stretch or push a stretch to the point that it causes discomfort or pain.

Strengthen Your Core

The strength of your core is important for back pain relief and general back health. Your abdominal muscles support your lower spine, and unless you do specific exercises to strengthen your core, it’s not likely that this area will get the work it needs.

There are simple and effective exercises you can do to target your core, and just adding a few minutes of core work into your day every day can have tremendous back-related benefits.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an Eastern medicine technique, and many people find that it helps them with a variety of conditions, including back pain. In fact, back pain is the top reason people say they seek acupuncture.

According to WebMD, a review of 22 acupuncture studies found it can offer short-term relief from chronic back pain. The research review also showed there was more pain improvement in people who actually received acupuncture as opposed to placebo treatment.

The American Pain Society and American College of Physicians advise doctors to consider acupuncture as an alternative therapy for patients who have chronic low-back pain.

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation is also called manual therapy, and it combines elements of moving joints, exercise, physical therapy, and massage. Chiropractors often use spinal manipulation to help with back, shoulder, neck and headache pain. Sometimes it can be used to help with the treatment of other conditions as well, such as sinus problems.

There are more than 100 types of specific spinal manipulations, some of which include twisting and some force, while others are gentler.

Practitioners may also incorporate other types of therapy into spinal manipulation, such as heat therapy or the use of traction devices.

Physical Activity

In the past, bed rest was often a first-line go-to in instances of back pain, but that’s fallen out of favor. Yes, rest is important, but doctors and other health practitioners often advise patients to try to increase their level of physical activity to help their back pain.

This can include walking or things mentioned above such as stretching and core work.

Aerobic exercise that elevates the heart rate can also increase blood flow to back tissue which can reduce stiffness and promote healing.

Finally, some people use something called capsaicin cream to help their back pain.

This cream is derived from a substance that’s in chili peppers, and it can help reduce the amount of neurotransmitters that lead to pain impulses in the brain. Capsaicin cream also provides a feeling of warmth, which can allow for more mobility without as much pain.

In case you missed it: Is Your Mattress Causing You Sleep Anxiety and Health Issues?