Back Pain Home Remedies
Home Remedies for Back Pain
Back pain can come from a lot of sources. Poor posture, various forms of arthritis, injuries and pregnancy are a few of the more common causes. Pain in the back may even be a sign of more serious problems, such as prostate or kidney disease. One thing is fairly certain, at one point in time, nearly all of us will feel back pain for some reason.
Once your doctor has diagnosed the cause, you can begin looking for the remedies that are right for you. It is even possible to use complementary care (both mainstream and alternative) remedies at the same time. However, it is important to discuss this with your health care provider.
Causes of Back Pain
Here is a look at a few common causes of back pain:
Osteoarthritis: This is usually caused by wear and tear on joints. The adult back usually has 24 vertebrae, which are joints in and of themselves. As these joints wear out, pain occurs. As long as the spinal cord is safe and the pain is not too intense, this is usually treated with anti-inflammatory medications. Sometimes, over the counter arthritis rubs are recommended.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Like osteoarthritis, this involves destruction of the joints. However, in this case, this is caused by the immune system attacking healthy cells in the vertebrae, thus destroying them. Medications for this problem may be different, and when looking at home remedies, it is important to make sure there are no interactions between them, and that they do not make the condition worse.
Prostate Problems: Back pain is one sign of problems with the prostate. It is very important to make sure this is not the problem, as it could be BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia) or prostate cancer. When caught early enough prostate cancer may be treatable.
Injury to the Back: Back injury can be caused by improper lifting techniques and by trauma from an accident. It can involve the bones, spinal column or muscles, depending on the nature of the injury. If a serious injury is suspected, a great deal of caution has to be used when moving the injured party, and a trauma center may be the best bed for the patient.
However, when it is a muscle injury, there may be other options. A doctor may suggest anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications and/or muscle relaxers. As with rheumatoid arthritis, a great deal of care needs to be taken to prevent interactions between herbs and medications.
Pregnancy: Towards the end of most pregnancies, the back begins to ache. Part of that has to do with the off-balance way of walking with baby up front, and part is due to a hormone released that helps relax muscles and joints in preparation for birth.
Not a lot can be done to ease this pain, as all medications…both topical and ingested…affect the child. It is the same with herbs; they all cross the placental barrier. In this instance, gentle massage may be the best remedy.
Home Remedies for Back Pain
Many herbs have anti-inflammatory properties. These include willow, yarrow, devil’s claw and ginger. Some of these herbs have salicin as a constituent, and should not be taken if you are allergic to aspirin. Most of these herbs can thin the blood, so if you have a clotting problem, do not use them. This includes taking blood thinners to prevent heart attacks.
Several herbs may be useful as a topical application. Cayenne, mustard and camphor tend to burn the skin when applied. This burning may also deaden nerve endings just below the skin, which stops the pain sensation from being sent to the brain.
Great care has to be taken when using these herbs. First, they are strong enough to cause burns. Test them on a small area before applying it wholesale to your back in order to make sure you are not oversensitive. Second, they do pass the placental barrier and could affect an unborn child. Third, if you are nursing, the spicy taste may be passed on and cause the child to colic.
Even with a topical application, it is possible for these herbs to interact with some medications. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure the supplements you choose are safe for you.
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