Easing Back Pain, Naturally
Keefe Figgatt
Everyone feels a twinge of back pain from time to time. But, what happens when that nagging twinge becomes a full-blown ache? You forget to lift with your knees. You twist this way or turn that way. Oh, the pain! You know it's not a serious injury but even so, you need relief. If you'd rather not take powerful drugs to take the edge off, here are some natural options.
Back pain can affect anyone at any time, regardless of age, status or nationality. It will strike you, sooner or later, so it's good to know that there are truly natural methods available that can bring about effective pain relief.
Licensed naturopath physician Cathy Wong has shared fifteen natural remedies for relieving back pain. She advises that when back pain strikes, the first step to finding a treatment should be a proper assessment by a healthcare provider.
If you decide to use natural back pain relief, there are several options for you to consider. Not every remedy is best suited to all patients, so it is important to get professional advice before starting any treatment.
Here are some ways to relieve your back pain, the natural way:
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is all about choosing a healthy lifestyle. It's a school of thought that teaches people to improve posture and eliminate bad habits. An Australian actor named Frederick Matthias Alexander developed this technique after he discovered that he could correct the "croaky" quality of his voice simply by standing tall instead of slouching.
Capsaicin Cream
An active ingredient in chili peppers, capsaicin provides an analgesic effect when applied to the skin. There is a reduction of substance P, a neurochemical in the body that's responsible for transmitting pain. Analgesics are among the many types of substances that can dull pain, and capsaicin is a natural analgesic. Just a small amount of 0.025% capsaicin cream, applied four times a day, can bring relief. Be sure to wear gloves while applying the cream to the painful areas of your body.
Bowen Rehabilitation Method
Tom Bowen, an Australian osteopath, developed a method of gentle bodywork to relieve pain. Long recognized in Europe as an effective way of relieving back pain, the Bowen Rehabilitation method is now popular in North America as well. Therapists performing the Bowen Rehabilitation method will complete a series of movements using their thumbs and fingers. The specialist pulls the skin away from the muscle, applies pressure and immediately releases the tension.
Musical Relief
Music can soothe any savage beast, even the unruly creature otherwise known as your sciatica. Music has always been lauded for its ability to ease stress, anxiety and depression. While the immediate benefits of music therapy can ease sciatica discomfort, the long-term effects are not so astounding.
Vitamin D for Pain Relief
Some patients claim that Vitamin D from natural sources can bring back pain relief. This powerful vitamin is found in salmon and other small-boned fish, plus cereal grains, fortified milk and even through simple exposure to natural sunlight. Older people, however, should limit exposure to the sun. If you'd like to supplement your Vitamin D, try glucocorticoid medications which can also benefit conditions like lung diseases and allergy irritations. There are certain risks to taking Vitamin D as a source of natural back pain relief. Possible side effects include digestive disorders and a darker pigmentation of the skin.
Willow Bark
The outer portion of the salix alba tree has been discovered to be a good source of natural back pain relief. Salicin is converted by the body to salicylic acid, and is believed to be the active compound that eases pain and inflammation.
If you suffer with back pain, but you're just not ready to turn to pharmaceutical medications, try one of these methods of finding natural back pain relief.
Columnist Keefe Figgatt is a freelancer for several popular Internet sites, on http://byvak.com/ healthy body and http://rawboned.com/ home health care subjects.
|
