Back
Pain Remedies
Back pain
is a health concern for most people in the United States at some point in their
lives and one of the most common reasons people miss work or visit the doctor.
Here is a glance at 15 popular natural remedies for back
pain relief. Although further research is needed before any of these remedies
can be recommended as a standard treatment for back pain, some of them may
offer relief for mild to moderate back pain, particularly when part of a
comprehensive treatment plan.
1) Acupuncture
A 2008 study published in Spine found
"strong evidence that acupuncture can be a useful supplement to other
forms of conventional therapy" for low back pain. After analyzing 23
clinical trials with a total of 6,359 patients, the study authors also found
"moderate evidence that acupuncture is more effective than no
treatment" in relief of back pain. The authors note that more research is
needed before acupuncture can be recommended over conventional therapies for
back pain.
Just how does acupuncture work? According totraditional
Chinese medicine, pain results from blocked energy along energy
pathways of the body, which are unblocked when acupuncture needles are inserted
along these invisible pathways. Acupuncture may release natural pain-relieving
opioids, send signals to the sympathetic nervous system, and release
neurochemicals and hormones.
If you want to try acupuncture, plan on going
one to three times a week for several weeks initially. Acupuncture may be
tax-deductible as a medical expense and some insurance plans pay for
acupuncture. More about acupuncture
for chronic pain.
2) Massage Therapy
In a 2009 research review published in Spine,
researchers reviewed 13 clinical trials on the use of massage in treatment of
back pain. The study authors concluded that massage "might be beneficial
for patients with subacute and chronic nonspecific low back pain, especially
when combined with exercises and education." Noting that more research is
needed to confirm this conclusion, the authors call for further studies that
might help determine whether massage is a cost-effective treatment for low back
pain.
Massage therapy may also alleviate anxiety and depression associated with chronic pain. It is
the most popular natural therapy for low back pain during pregnancy.
3) Chiropractic
Back pain is one of most common reasons people visit a
chiropractor. Doctors of chiropractic use chiropractic spinal manipulation to
restore joint mobility. They manually apply a controlled force to joints that
have become restricted by muscle injury, strain, inflammation, and pain.
Manipulation is believed to relieve pain and muscle tightness and encourage
healing.
Chiropractic care involving spinal
manipulation appears to reduce symptoms and improve function in patients with
chronic low back pain, acute low back pain, and sub-acute low back pain,
according to a research review published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiological
Therapeutics. In their analysis of 887 documents
(including 64 clinical trials), the review's authors concluded that combining
chiropractic care with exercise is "likely to speed and improve
outcomes" and protect against future episodes of back pain.
4) Capsaicin Cream
Although you may not have heard of capsaicin before, if
you've ever eaten a chili pepper and felt your mouth burn, you know exactly
what capsaicin does. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers.
When it is applied to the skin, capsaicin has been found
to deplete substance P - a neurochemical that transmits pain - causing an
analgesic effect.
For a 2011 research review published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, investigators sized up the available research on the
use of topically applied capsaicin in treatment of several types of chronic
pain. This included two clinical trials on back pain, both of which
found that capsaicin helped reduce low back pain without causing notable side
effects.
Capsaicin cream, also called capsicum cream, is available
in drug stores, health food stores, and online. A typical dosage is 0.025%
capsaicin cream applied four times a day. The most common side effect is a
stinging or burning sensation in the area.
If possible, wear disposable gloves (available at
drugstores) before applying the cream. Be careful not to touch the eye area or
open skin. A tube or jar of capsaicin cream typically costs between $8 and $25.
5) Vitamin
D
Chronic muscle pain can be a symptom of
vitamin D deficiency. What's more, some research suggests that treatment with
vitamin D supplements may lead to clinical improvement in back pain symptoms
among people with low initial concentrations of vitamin D, according to a 2005
report published in the British
Medical Journal.
An essential nutrient available in certain foods (such as
fortified milk and fish with small bones), vitamin D is produced naturally by
the body during exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. But since it's
difficult to obtain your recommended daily intake of D solely through dietary
sources and sun exposure, many medical experts recommend increasing your
vitamin D levels by taking a dietary supplement.
6) Anti-Inflammatory Herbs
Since inflammation is thought to play a role in the
development of back pain, certain herbs thought to have anti-inflammatory
effects may be useful for back pain relief.
White
willow bark for
instance, may have pain-relieving properties similar to aspirin. Known as
salicin, a compound found in white willow bark is converted in the body to
salicylic acid. (Similarly, aspirin is also converted to salicylic acid once in
the body.) Salicylic acid is believed to be the active compound that relieves
pain and inflammation.
Another herb sometimes used in treatment of
back pain is devil's
claw. Devil's claw contains harpagosides, which are chemical
compounds found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.
In a 2007 research review published in Spine, both
white willow bark and devil's claw were found to reduce pain more effectively
than placebo. Since many of the trials included in the review were of poor
quality, the review's authors call for further trials testing the use of these
herbs against standard treatments for low back pain.
7) Magnesium
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral
in the body. Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, it helps maintain
normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune
system, and preserves bones strength. Magnesium also helps regulate
blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood
pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and
protein synthesis.
Published in the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and
Biology, a 2001 study of 82 patients with chronic
low back pain found that use of mineral supplements was associated with a
reduction in pain symptoms in 76 participants. In addition, the supplements
were found to increase intracellular magnesium levels by 11 percent.
8) Yoga
Yoga creates balance in the body through various poses
that develop flexibility and strength. There's some evidence that taking up a
yoga practice may help relieve back pain.
For a 2011 research review published in Clinical Rheumatology, investigators looked at seven clinical trials that
tested the effects of yoga in patients in with low back pain. Of those studies,
five suggested that yoga leads to a significantly greater reduction in low back
pain than usual care, education, or conventional therapeutic exercises.
However, the other two studies showed that yoga was no more effective than
other types of care for low back pain.
In a 2008 report published in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, researchers found that yoga may be helpful in managing
low back pain, but note that patients should consult their health care
providers for help in finding yoga instructors with experience in working with
people with low back pain.
9) Vitamin B12
A study published in the European Review for Medical and
Pharmacological Sciences in 2000
examined the safety and effectiveness of vitamin B12 injections for low back
pain. Involving 60 patients, the study found that those who received vitamin
B12 injections experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain and
disability. They also used less pain medication than those who received a
placebo.
Besides pain, other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
are numbness and tingling, irritability, mild memory impairment, and
depression. Risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency are:
·
pernicious anemia
·
use of certain medications (including stomach
acid-blocking medications)
·
inadequate intake of meat or dairy products
·
infection (such as small intestine bacterial
overgrowth, parasites)
Vitamin B12 muscle injections are the standard treatment
for vitamin B12 deficiency. Studies have found that vitamin B12 sublingual
tablets (placed under the tongue for absorption) and nasal gel are also
effective.
13:28:00
