Back pain can be such a life changing malady. So what are you to do? Alternative treatments for back pain, also known as complimentary therapies, are gaining legions of fans as they are quickly becoming a new method of working to get rid of pain and problems found all over the body. There are many followers who trust in the many options of alternative treatments that supposedly relive that aching back.
They weren’t just invented yesterday. Alternative therapies have been around for ages. In fact this school of complimentary medicine has been around oodles longer than the medications we use today to treat everything from a sore throat to a nail fungus. But don’t be mistaken, there is still such a taboo surrounding those who preach the use of alternative medicine. As more and more research is being conducted the complimentary therapies are gaining fans and are becoming more acceptable.
So just what can be done in the avenue of alternative therapies to treat back pain? One of the easiest complimentary therapies that you can try is the use of aromatherapy. Essential oils such as Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, and Horse balm are thought to help reduce all types of pain as they contain natural compounds like thymol that help your muscles relax. Doesn’t relaxing sound wonderful to your aching back!
In order to get the complete benefit of aromatherapy it is important that you mix the appropriate quantity of oils together and massage them into the painful area after you have had an opportunity to soak in a warm bath. It is important to use the essential oils after bathing in warm water since after that yummy bath your pores will be open and your muscles relaxed. It will make the essential oils work more efficiently.
Another easy choice for alternative therapies for back pain include the use of certain herbs. For example, Camomile has a natural calming affect on muscle tissue, while other herbs like Bromelain, which is a pineapple extract, has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Proponents of complimentary therapies explain that if you ingest these herbs at a high enough quantity they can help to eliminate the back pain you are experiencing.
Trigger point therapy is another option of an alternative therapy which works on the premise that the body has trigger points for pain deep within the muscles. The muscles are then joined with the autonomic nervous system. Normally the trigger point will be centered on areas of knotting in the muscles and the point can radiate pain to other parts of the body.
Trigger point therapy treatment involves tiny injections of local anesthetic into the trigger point which is thought to scramble the electrical signals that send the painful sensations. It is important to remember that this type of therapy typically requires a few sessions before the therapy is fully effective.
Meditation, while still an alternative therapy, is more main stream these days. Meditation is thought to wash your body and mind of impurities including pain and tension giving you relief from the pain. The course of treatment for meditation intended to treat back pain is at least thirty to sixty minutes every day while lying on your back with pillows placed under your knees and thighs so the stress on your back is alleviated.
It takes a while to “learn” to meditate but it is important to keep at it for this to be an effective therapy. While meditating keep a clear mind, free from all thoughts, regardless if those thoughts are happy or sad, good or bad…just get rid of them all.
Finally, while we are still waiting for the hard cold facts that prove that alternative therapies for back pain work better than traditional medicine, there is also no conclusive evidence that these therapies don’t work! So after you’ve gotten approval from your physician, why not give them a chance. What do you have to lose except that horrific back pain that is making you feel ancient!
Jeff Foster
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/alternative-treatments-for-back-pain-119447.html
Posted September 20th, 2009 by admin 8 Comments » This entry is filed under nail fungus relief. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 20th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
What to do about severe pain? Alternative Treatments?
I have had severe pain in my right side for over 4 years. I am currently on disability due to severe pain. I was approved the first time. I have been to multitudes of doctors, I’ve been to the Mayo Clinic, and I may go back again. I’ve had all kinds of tests, and they really haven’t had any answers. They give me narcotics and they send me to the pain clinic. I’ve been to the pain clinic many many times, and the pain clinic doesn’t have any answers for me either. Mayo found that I had 4 severely rotated vertebrae, and I was referred to a Chiropractor to untwist my spine. I went to Physical Therapy and completed 17 months of physical therapy. My pain level is better but still severe. I was referred to the Mayo Chronic Pain program but my insurance would not pay for it. I’ve tried several times. I’ve tried humor, massage, hot tubs, cold, aromas, nutrition, every possible thing I can think of. Any ideas?
Any Alternative Treatments I missed? Thanks So Much!!
I tried this question in both categories which is why it is there twice, I wanted to know what people in the alternative and pain categories thought. thanks
The doctor wanted to put me on methadone, but the insurance wouldn’t cover it, so that never happened.
I’m not sure that I can afford the cold laser thing. I have to pay for everything on what I make on disability and whatever medicare pays.
Chet – I follow a low fat vegan diet, and I am not sedentary
Army Wife – I go to the Chiropractor weekly – tell me more about these oils – thanks
September 21st, 2009 at 1:24 am
I too have had severe chronic pain for 17yrs. I also have tried just about everything and anything. For me, Methadone has been my saving grace. It has reduced my pain level to a bearable amount. I also smoke weed, it helps with muscle spasms, sleep issues, and stimulates your appetite, and relaxes your mind. Pain control can be entirely frustrating, you have to change things up on occasion, your body gets used to certain positions, where it feels less pain. You must get out and walk, daily, no matter how bad the pain is. It will lift your spirits, and bring you closer to nature, and calmness. Keep your body moving, and your mind at rest. Good luck.
References :
September 21st, 2009 at 1:26 am
There is a new treatment for many types of pain. It’s called cold laser therapy. I’ve had several treatments in the last 3 months and it has releived my severe Fibromyalgia pain tremendously. Research through Google for cold laser therapy. Check out my provider in Colorado at http://www.denvercoldlaser.com. Follow links and look for treatments in your area. This treatment is the only therapy that has finally releived my severe pain.
References :
September 21st, 2009 at 1:28 am
Yes! Energy therapy.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a drug free therapy that definitely helps with severe pain. You can also learn to do it yourself so you do not always have to be visiting a therapist.
It really really does help. You can find out more from these web sites below.
References :
http://www.stuffbusters.co.za
http://www.emofree.com
September 21st, 2009 at 1:30 am
I’m very sorry to hear this.
Perhaps another visit to the chiro would help….
There is also something called the raindrop technique with Young Living Oils. If you can find a distributor in your area they may be able to help you. PanAway oil also is great for pain.
http://www.youngliving.us.
Blessings
References :
had a few, friends who’ve had them. I’ve signed up to be a distributor because I’ve seen these oils work.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:32 am
If we offered you a miracle remedy that prevents "Backache" would you buy it? Certainly you would. You won’t find it in a Pharmacy but at the Grocery Store.
Try the Natural Cures for Backache.
Backache, one of the most common ailments, is widely prevalent these days due to sedentary living habits and hazardous work patterns. The psychological conditions associated with emotional stress, which bring about spasm of the muscles, may also cause backache. As the back bears the weight of the entire body it gives way when it has to carry an extra load in the case of persons who are overweight. The back, a complex structure of muscles, bone and elastic tissue, is known as the life-bone of the body. The spine is made of 24 blocks of bone piled one on top of the other. Sandwiched between these bony blocks are cushions of cartilage and elastic tissues called intervertebral discs. The vertebral discs act as shock absorbers for the back. Mobility would be impossible without discs. Sometimes these cushions rupture and the pulp protrudes a little. The process is erroneously called a ‘slipped’ disc. If the cushion disappears entirely, the result is known as a degenerated disc. In slipped-disc trouble, the nerve is affected in such a way that the pain radiates down the thigh and leg. If the disc ‘slips’ in the neck area, it causes numbness and pain radiates to the arms. Disc trouble does not occur suddenly but builds up over a long time. The backbone forms a protective arch over the vertebrae and spinal cord and protects the spinal nerves that are interwoven through the spinal column. There is a close relationship between the bones, discs, joint muscles, and nerves in the back and the slightest problem or injury to the back or neck area can have disastrous effects.
Symptoms: In most cases of backache, the pain is usually felt either in the middle of the back or lower down. It may spread to both sides of the waist and the hips. With acute pain, the patient is unable to move and is bedridden. About 90% of backache patients suffer from what is called cervical or lumber spondylosis. It is a degenerative disorder in which the vertebral bone or the intervertebral disc becomes soft and loses shape. As a result of this, the spine loses its flexibility.
Causes: The main causes of backache and spondylosis are muscular tension, joint strain, poor posture and incorrect nutrition resulting from dietetic errors and lack of exercise. Acute or chronic illnesses like kidney or prostate problems, female disorders, influenza and arthritis, may also lead to backache. Other causes include stress and strain resulting from sitting for a long time, improper lifting of weight, high heels, and emotional problems which may cause painful muscle cramping. Poor posture results from soft chairs and coaches, which facilitates slouching and sitting incorrectly. Shoes with high heels place a tremendous strain on the back and other muscles of the body. Sleeping on too soft a mattress which results in an improper back and neck posture, can cause tension, headaches and pain in the upper and lower back. Another major cause of back problems and tense muscles is lack of exercise. Modern conveniences have made office work easier. The easy life can lead to obesity which puts a great strain on the back. When muscles are not exercised and remain weak, the chances of injury to them are increased manifold.
Treatment: Drugs prescribed to relieve pain or relax muscles in backache disorders do not cure common back problems. These can become habit forming and may actually perpetuate the disease in case of excessive intake. Certain safety measures, especially, for people in sedentary occupation, are necessary to relieve and prevent backache. The most important of these is exercise which improves the supply of nutrients to spinal discs, thereby delaying the process of deterioration that comes with age and eventually affects everybody. Safe exercises include walking, swimming and bicycling. The latter should be done keeping the back upright. Controlling one’s weight is another important step towards relieving backache as excess weight greatly increases the stress on soft back tissues.
Those with sedentary occupations should take a break to stand up every hour. Soft cushioned seats should be avoided and position should be changed as often as possible. Persons with back problems should sleep on a firm mattress on their sides with knees bent at right angles to the torso. They should take care never to bend from the waist down to lift any object but instead should swat close to the object, bending the knees but keeping the back straight, and then stand up slowly.
Neck tension arising from long hours at the desk or behind the wheel of the car can be relieved by certain neck exercises. These include rotating the head clockwise and anticlockwise, allowing the head to drop forward and backward as far as possible and turning the head to the right and left as far as possible several times. These exercises help to loosen up contracted neck muscles which may restrict the blood supply to the head.
The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of a salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce and at least two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach and plenty of fruits, all except bananas. The patients should have four meals daily. They may take fruits and milk during breakfast, steamed vegetables and whole wheat chapattis during lunch, fresh fruits, or fruit juice in the evening and a bowl of raw salad and sprouts during dinner.
The patients should avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods, curd, sweetmeats, sugar, condiments as well as tea and coffee. Those who smoke and take tobacco in any form should give them up completely.
Proteins and vitamin C are necessary for the development of a healthy bone matrix. Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorous and the essential trace minerals are essential for healthy bones. Foods that have been processed for storage to avoid spoiling have few nutrients and should be eliminated from the diet. Vitamin C has proved helpful in relieving low-back pain and averting spinal disc operations.
The back can be strengthened through proper nutrition, exercise and relaxation and in the process general health will also improve.
Hot fomentations, alternate sponging or application of radiant heat to the back will also give immediate relief. Yogic asanas which are beneficial in the treatment of backache are bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halasana, uttanpadasana and shavasana.
Hope this helps, Good Luck.
References :
Research Study.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:34 am
One thing which can really help with chronic pain is anti depressants – have you tried these at all? I only found out about this ‘off label’ use because this medication helped me with pain I was experiencing; a totally different situation to yours, true, but it really, really make a huge difference!
Another very helpful thing for pain, is self hypnosis – your best bet is to find a very experienced, qualified hypnotherapist and have a few sessions; ask them to teach you some self hypnosis techniques and they should be happy to do that!
Best of luck.
References :
September 21st, 2009 at 1:36 am
Wow, with that amount of pain over such a long time and no luck with anything so far, I would definitely look at the esoteric cause or reason for it in order to find the cure.
Look up the pain and the specific vertebrae in Louise Hay’s book "You can heal your life" and see what she has to say about the meaning behind it. You’ll probably find it in a library or bookshop.
Being a guy and the pain being right side and so disabling you can’t work, jumps out to me as big emotional resistance to working in a field or specialty area that you should be involved in. Right side is about going out and getting what you want as opposed to left side being able and willing to receive what you want.
Also it could be an inability to accept something that you couldn’t get or have even though you tried hard. The lodgement of the pain in the body is the emotional pain not willing to move.
Since all physical ailments originate in the vibrational layers of the body, when physical cures don’t help, it might mean that the cause really needs addressing from the emotional level.
References :