Natural Relief for Chronic Back Pain – Knowing Your Options

Amy Taylor June 03, 2013

Did you know that back pain is much, much more painful than the pain felt in other parts of the body? That’s because our back is made up of complex muscles that are located too close to the spinal cord, making the sensation of pain more profound. Whilst over-the-counter medications offer a ‘quick fix’ to this condition, most of them do not really target the root cause of the problem, but only mask the pain. They also have side effects.

Here are some of the proven natural remedies that you can try when your back starts to hurt again:

Stretch it out. Poor blood circulation can lead to chronic pain. Stretching as a regular habit is one of the most effective ways to prevent back pain. Here’s a very simple stretching routine you may want to try: lie on your back and slowly, lift your right knee, bringing it towards your chest as far as it feels comfortable. Place your hands on your shin and hold for 20 seconds. Slowly release and do the same with your left knee.

Keep moving. Unless its serious spinal or nerve injury, consider undergoing movement therapies, such as the Alexander Technique. These therapies can correct poor posture which often causes back pain. Exercising can also prevent and alleviate chronic back pain.

Let the needles in. Acupuncture is a natural therapy that has been clinically proven to reduce pain. This ancient technique works by stimulating the release of the body’s natural painkillers that relieve muscle spasms and tightness that go along with back pain. Afraid of needles? Consider acupressure.

Get a massage. Massage doesn’t just relax you. It also helps release muscle tension and improves blood flow. If you’re suffering from back pain, this therapy will not only soothe away the discomfort but will also speed up your recovery. However, remember that not all forms of massage are applicable for back pain. It is important that you get it from a professional practitioner and inform him or her about your pain issues.

Increase your magnesium intake. Insufficiency of this essential nutrient could be a cause for chronic back pain. Magnesium has an important role in strengthening muscles and promoting overall back health. Your body needs at least 350 milligrams of magnesium every day. Best sources of this substance are dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains. Consider taking supplements as well.

Boost your vitamin D levels. Another important nutrient that helps prevent chronic back pain is vitamin D. Low levels of this vitamin can contribute to micro-fractures in your spine and may result to the weakening of your muscles and ligaments. Sun is the primary source of vitamin D but you can also get it from dietary sources like fatty fish and fortified dairy products.

Stay hydrated. A quick remedy for back pain can be found in your kitchen. When muscles are dehydrated, they often result to spasm. Dehydrated spinal discs are unable to take up enough water into their cores, a fact that affect their function. Keeping your spinal discs hydrated can reduce your likelihood of suffering from back pain.

Use healthy spices when cooking. Some herbs and spices have anti-inflammatory properties that are similar to pharmaceutical drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin. They include turmeric, cayenne and olive leaf. These healthy botanicals also come in supplement forms.

Consider trigger point injection. This treatment involves injecting a small amount of fluid in the affected muscles. The fluid can be a local anaesthetic, a steroid, saline solution, or a botanical painkiller like sarapin. This therapy is administered by professionals only.

Alongside these natural remedies, the best way to prevent back pain is to observe a healthy diet, maintain a normal weight, and manage stress. If your back pain has been going on for weeks or months now, consult a health professional right away.

What other natural remedies can you add to our list? Feel free to post a comment below.