Back Pain

Causes

Back pain often develops without a specific cause that your doctor can identify with a test or imaging study. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include:

• Muscle or ligament strain. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. If you're in poor physical condition, constant strain on your back may cause painful muscle spasms.
• Bulging or ruptured disks. Disks act as cushions between the individual bones (vertebrae) in your spine. Sometimes, the soft material inside a disk may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve. The presence of a bulging or ruptured disk on an X-ray doesn't automatically equal back pain, though. Disk disease is often found incidentally; many people who don't have back pain turn out to have bulging or ruptured disks when they undergo spine X-rays for some other reason.
• Arthritis : Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
• Skeletal irregularities. Back pain can occur if your spine curves in an abnormal way. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain, but generally only if the scoliosis is quite severe.
• Osteoporosis : Compression fractures of your spine's vertebrae can occur if your bones become porous and brittle.

Home remedies

The first step to knowing the appropriate back pain treatment is to figure out what triggered the pain in the first place. There can be a variety of factors that can cause back pain, and it is important that you tailor-fit your type of treatment to the root cause of the problem.

• A sprain in the ligament or strain in the muscle can cause excruciating back pain. These injuries can be caused by poor posture, being overweight or improper lifting of heavy objects. The most common forms of treatment for problems such as these include the application of hot moist packs and gentle exercises.
• Back pain may also be associated with the development of Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis and Herniated Disks. Osteoarthritis is a condition which erodes the disks that normally serve as cushions between your vertebrae. Osteoporosis, on one hand, causes one’s bones to become brittle, making the bones more susceptible to fracture. Furthermore, as one continues to age, normal wear and tear may cause the disks in the vertebra to rupture or herniate. As a result, the herniated disk can impinge on nerves that are coming out from the spinal cord – and this produces pain. For conditions such as these, it is important that you seek the help of medical professionals such as Physical Therapists and Orthopedic doctors.
• Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that is commonly associated with painful ligaments, tendons and muscles, can be treated with acupuncture – a form of ancient medicine that makes use of needles. These needles are inserted and manipulated inside the body to help relieve pain.
• Aside from the back pain treatment methods mentioned, there are also essential oils that one can utilize for back pain relief. Also utilized as a form of aromatherapy, these oils contain medicinal properties which affects, not only the physical aspect of the person, but the mental aspect as well. The healing potential of these essential oils can be best achieved when they are used in massaging the back.
• Hot and Cold Therapy : The most common question when it comes to hot and cold therapy is which of the two is the best form of treatment. Applying an ice bag or a hot water bottle to an area actually does the same thing – they both break the cycle of pain and spasm and they both improve blood circulation to the area, which is essential in the healing process because blood carries with it oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. With back pain, it is important that the pain-spasm cycle is broken because only then can real healing take place.
• Massage has long been known to promote a sense of relaxation in the muscles, thereby decreasing the muscle spasms in the back. It also helps improve blood circulation, relieve tightness and pains. The aroma of the oils helps calm the mind and the spirit. The following are essential oils that can be used for back pain relief:
• Chamomile Oil : Chamomile has been considered as a perennial herb because of its healing properties. Extracted from the chamomile flower, the oils are non-irritant and non-toxic. The oil helps relieve pain and control spasm of the muscles. Other therapeutic properties of chamomile oil are: bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic and analgesic.
• Frankincense Oil : Frankincense oil is popular for its uses in medicines, cosmetics and perfumes. In fact, it has been used since antiquity. Frankincense possesses anti-inflammatory and sedative properties which can be helpful in relieving back pain. Not only that, its oil has been used as a form of aromatherapy in the treatment of conditions such as syphilis, rheumatism, respiratory infections, UTI, and skin diseases. Today, Frankincense is incorporated in the making of cosmetics because of its ability to reduce wrinkles and fine lines in the skin.
• Peppermint Oil : Peppermint is often called as the world’s oldest herb and has been used for its medicinal properties since time immemorial. Its cooling effect provides a soothing effect which is helpful in cases such as back pain. It also helps relieve muscle soreness. Aside from these, peppermint oil has been used in the management of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, headache, halitosis (bad breath) and indigestion. It also cares for the skin and the hair. Additionally, peppermint oil helps promote blood circulation and helps boost the function of the immune system.
• Ginger Oil : The essential oil of ginger has been widely used in traditional Arabic, Chinese and Western medicine because of its medicinal properties. It helps relieve back pain and provides a person with more mobility. In order to create a relaxing oil for massage, simply create a mixture of the following ingredients:4 drops of ginger oil; 4 drops of cardamom; 4 drops of wintergreen; 1 tablespoon of sweet oil
• Rosemary Oil : One of the most popular essential oils there is, Rosemary oil is known for its antispasmodic and analgesic properties. It helps relieve muscle spasms thereby contributing to the reduction of pain. Massaging the painful part with Rosemary oil can work wonders. Aside from this, the oil has been used for other conditions, the examples of which are: respiratory problems, arthritis, and indigestion. Caring for your skin, mouth and hair should also involve the use of Rosemary oil. There are also unclaimed benefits associated with the use of this oil, and these conditions include kidney stones, peptic ulcer and menstrual cramps.
• Lavender Oil : This oil promotes relaxation, prevents inflammation and stops muscle spasm. It is also used for stress-relief. Stress can cause unnecessary tensions inside the body which can actually contribute to the worsening of the pain. Lavender essential is beneficial for people who are suffering from post-surgical pain, stress, anxiety, hair loss (alopecia) and insomnia.
• Comfrey : The benefits of topical applications of comfrey are based primarily on anecdotal evidence, and little research has been done to confirm the efficacy of comfrey for its purported uses. A study was done however by the "British Journal of Sports Medicine" regarding the use of comfrey for the treatment of back pain. The study, which was published in the July 2010 issue, concluded that there was a significant difference between the comfrey extract and placebo group regarding pain intensity. In fact, the comfrey extract caused a 95.2 percent decrease in perceived pain during standard movements and it produced the pain-relieving effects rapidly.
• fish oil can give improvement in back pain. Fish oil supplements contain Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA – all natural products that are free of dioxins, mercury and PCBs.
• Calcium and vitamin D helps promote strong bones thereby reducing one’s risk for osteoporosis. Research studies have shown that people who are complaining of back pains and other musculoskeletal aches are deficient in Vitamin D. This vitamin is important because it helps maintain healthy levels of phosphorus and calcium inside the body – minerals that are essential for strong and healthy bones and teeth.
• Rest and Sleep : Sufficient rest and sleep allows your body to heal. Remember that majority of the healing process takes place when you are asleep because this is the time when your body is in its most relaxed state.
• Herbs : If you go to a doctor, most likely, he or she will give you a prescription for pain killers. After all, pain killers are known to be very potent when the pain becomes too much to bear. However, bear in mind that these synthetic pharmaceutical products carry with them the possibility of adverse effects, and sometimes, they can actually do you more harm that good. Good thing is, numerous research studies have been conducted supporting the health claims of herbal products. For back pain, the following herbs may be utilized. They may target your muscles, nerves or your entire body system. Black Cohosh, Arnica, Teasel, Willow, Wintergreen, Aspen, Licorice, Ginger, Turmeric.
• Exercise: Exercises intended solely for the back muscles are done for strengthening and to help the affected individual gradually go back to performing activities of daily living. Examples of back exercises include heel slides, ankle pump, wall squats, straight leg raising, knee to chest exercise, and those that utilize an exercise ball. Although these exercises may be relatively simple to perform, it is important that you first seek the advice of professionals such as a qualified physical therapist or an orthopedic surgeon. These people would tell you how to do it right and how often to do the exercises.
• Gas forming (especially at night) can be a problem.
• Cayenne is a natural substance sometimes used in treatment of low back pain. Derived from either the Capsicum annuum L. or Capsicum frutescens L. plant, cayenne is typically applied topically as a plaster when used in treatment of low back pain. In some cases, cayenne is applied in gel form to treat low back pain.
• Palmitoylethanolamide restores balance in chronic pain and chronic inflammation.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.