Alternative Methods Of Relieving Back Pain

Back pain exercises, back pain relief, relieving pregnancy back pain

Next to head ache back pain tends to be the II most general neurological disorder found in the USA, as suggested by the survey done by the National Institute of Health. Everybody suffers from low back pain at certain point during their life span. At the outset of back pain, the primary health care provider should be consulted first. The real reason for back pain should be diagnosed first since various causes like muscle stain and serious situations like spinal stenosis, herniated disc, tumor, osteoporosis, and spondylosisthesis produce the back pain.

In United Kingdom a research at Sheffield University looked into the reduction of long term symptoms of back pain and the economic benefits got from acupuncture for constant back pain. About 159 people were given eight acupuncture treatments and 80 people were given the normal care.

When both groups were compared after a year it was found that those who took acupuncture treatment had pain reduction. In another year it was found that the acupuncture patients took pain relief medication very occasionally and were pain free most of the time. The conventional Chinese medicine says that pain is caused due to blocking of energy along its path in the body. In acupuncture treatment these blocked pathways are opened up by using needles at these pathways which are invisible. Acupuncture is explained scientifically as well. Pain reducing opioids are released during acupuncture and signals which calm down concerned nervous system as well as hormones and neuro chemicals are released. The cost of one acupuncture session is from 60$ to 120$ and it is covered by medical insurance and is without tax. Acupuncture can be taken for 1 or 3 times each week and can be continued for many weeks.

Capsaicin the active element in chilly peppers is very hot and burns the mouth if taken but is very helpful in treatment of back pain. It eats up a neurochemical which causes analgesic effect by transmitting pain. In a study 160 folks were given capsaicin and the other set of 160 were given placebo for more than three weeks. This capsaicin group was found to have 42% of pain reduced and placebo group had 31% of pain reduced. The report was given in favor of capsaicin since more number of people got relief using capsaicin. Capsaicin is accessible in cream form and is commercially known as capsicum cream. It can be purchased from all stores meant for health food, online and drug stores. The cream is recommended to be applied in a dosage of 0.025% for four times in a day. Burning or stinging sensation is commonest side effect if the cream is used for a long period. Disposable gloves can be worn while using the cream. Care should be taken that the open skin or eye is touched with the same hands with which the cream is applied without properly cleaning the hands. A jar or tube of capsaicin cream costs 8$ to 25 $ and is available in all drug stores. Through different poses which build up elasticity and strength balance inside the body is created using Yoga. People with constant mild pain the low back were taught Yoga and found that in 16 weeks the intensity of pain, dependence on medication for pain in addition to disability were reduced. Those who were assessed after three months were noted to be benefited. A study was made comparing low back pain people who were doing conventional exercise, yoga and taking self care. In about 12 weeks it was noted that the people in yoga group have considerable back functioning compared to exercise group and book. In about twenty six weeks, yoga grouping was superior compared to self care book group.

The Australian Osteopath Tom Bowen developed Bowen therapy which is a gently type of body work. Bowen therapy has been very popular among North Americans and used widely in Europe and Australia. The thumbs and fingers are moved in a specialized manner in Bowen therapy. The movement involves pulling skin from muscle and applying pressure to release tension quickly. The movements are done in areas in muscles, especially where particular receptors are found. The next step involves sending impulses to brain which results in reducing pain and muscle relaxation. Before each move the patient is asked to taken rest by the therapist. The treatment takes 30 - 40 min. Pain is reduced using mind and body connection in breathing techniques. The new technique puts together breathing, meditation, awareness and movement. The important thing about this technique is that it can be done t home without spending any money. A study was made to compare breath therapy with physical therapy in a period of 6 to 8 weeks and was found that breath therapy showed significant improvement. Measures of changes in disability and pain in low back pain were compared to high quality physical therapy. Advantages of breath therapy are improvement in coping skillfulness and new outlook to the stress effect on body.

Massage comes to the mind of people suffering from pain and back aches. Massage is good for chronic and sub acute pain. Depression and anxiety along with chronic ache was reduced. During pregnancy massage therapy tend to be the best for low back pain. Chiropractor is consulted for low back pain. Chiropractic spinal manipulation is used by doctors to get back joint mobility. Controlled force is applied to joints affected by strain, inflammation, pain as well as muscle injury. Muscle tightness, pain relief and encouragement to heal are believed to be got through manipulation. In hundred and two people suffering from radiating or back pain, the comparison between manipulation and simulated manipulation was published in Spine journal. The researchers concluded that acute back pain was reduced effectively using active manipulation and disc protrusion using sciatica.

Vitamin D shortage will lead to constant muscle pain. Milk, cereal, small bones fish and sunlight contain Vitamin D. Hispanic, Asian and African American who have dark pigmented skin do not change UV rays into vitamin D efficiently. The other risk factor is celiac disease, The medicines used for allergies, lung disease, exposure to sun, and season and latitude are some of the reasons for getting Vitamin D shortage. About 150 people suffering from musculoskeletal pain were found to have vitamin D shortage according to a research done by University of Minnesota. People with dark pigmented skin had deficiency of vitamin D. The most interesting thing about the research is that they found that those under thirty years contained vitamin D deficit and that season is not a factor. It was concluded that those with constant musculoskeletal pain must be checked to observe Vitamin D deficit.

The gloominess connected with prolonged pain is reduced by a therapy known as Music Therapy which is of low cost and natural. A research of the patients with persistent back pain receiving music therapy inside the hospital was done. About 65 patients were chosen and given physical therapy on every other month and music therapy for four sessions or the former therapy alone. The reduction of pain was quick in music therapy even though the result was non significant statistically. Depression, disability and anxiety were reduced with music therapy.

Low back pain was relieved by using Vitamin B 12. Italian studies were done to examine the effectiveness and safety of Vitamin B 12 in low back pain. The pain relief of patients using Vitamin B12 was noteworthy statistically and comparing with Placebo group they used less medication. Vitamin B12 deficit leads to other symptoms like tingling, numbness, mild memory loss, depression and irritability. Infection in the stomach due to parasites, bacterial over growth in small intestine, less intake of dairy and milk products, pernicious anemia, certain medications taken for stomach acid block and digestive diseases are some of the reasons for Vitamin B 12 deficiency. The normal treatment is for vitamin B 12 shortages is muscle injection of Vitamin B 12 but in some cases sublingual tablets or nasal gel, probably, are found to be effective.

The most plentiful mineral present in body is magnesium and is involved in almost 300 bio chemical reactions. The nerve and muscle function, strong immune system, steady heart rhythm and bone strength is maintained with the help of magnesium. Magnesium within the body keeps blood sugar level, blood pressure normal and also involves in protein synthesis and energy metabolism. Depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, irritability, pre menstrual syndrome, muscle pain and spasm, and unbalanced heart rhythms are some of the symptoms which follow magnesium deficiency. Mineral supplements reduced pain in about 76 among 82 who suffered from prolonged back pain.

Like aspirin Salix Alba the while willow tree bark relieves pain. Salicin, one of the elements of white willow bark converts as salicylic acid within the body which is the energetic compound which gives the patient relief from inflammation and pain. In the Sydney University a comparison was made between patients who were given 240 mg of Salicin and those who took 12.5 mg of refecoxib for about four weeks. It was found that both patients had pain reduction. The American journal of Medicine has given about the examination done to hundred and ninety one patients with low back pain who were given willow bark juice with low or strong dose of placebo or salicin. The inference taken after 4 weeks showed that about 39% of those who took high dose were free of pain and 21% with small dose were relieved from pain and only 6% of those who took placebo were relieved of pain. Soon after a week those under high dose started showing some improvement and many in placebo group wanted pain medication.

Certain bad habits like slouching lead to muscle tension, decreased mobility and pain. Alexander technique makes people learn about getting rid of the bad habit and change the posture accordingly. Frederick Matthias Alexander who was an Australian actor studied about this technique when he himself had gruffness in voice and tried to improve the posture to correct it. The session goes on for about 45 minutes during which time the tutor notes the students’ movements and coach his students by verbal instruction and touching the student gently.

Ligaments, which are the connective tissue bands which keeps the bones attached to one another, damages and give constant musculoskeletal pain which can be relieved using prolotherapy. After injury the ligaments and tendons at the back do not usually get healed completely and hence the spine bones tend to be less stable which then leads to constant pain. In prolotherapy an injection liquid solution is given into the soft tissues like tendons and ligaments. The injection shoots the local inflammation and the normal healing reaction and hence the soft tissues get repaired and the pain is relieved. Once the affected area is detected the doctor injects the solution with a thin needle into the area which is affected during the injury. Anaesthesia is used to reduce the mild pain. The treatment lasts for about 10 to 25 sessions for low back pain and since the doctors believe that the joint will be completely repaired the do not go for any other type of treatment. The American Association of Orthopaedic medicine believes that prolotherapy is the best method to treat ligament injury and is effective and safe for low back pain and chronic myofascial pain syndromes. In some states the injection can be given by only Osteopath, medical doctor or naturopathic doctor who has state license.

Balneotherapy is one of the old therapies for pain relief and it involves hydrotherapy in which the patient is allowed to bathe in mineral water. A assessment was made with people having low back pain who took bath in tap water and those in mineral water and it was confirmed that mineral water having sulphur reduced pain and improved the movement than tap water. Balneotherapy was compared with the spa therapy. It was concluded that while comparing with control groups the results were beneficial. Trials were warranted to take place in large scale since the results were encouraging. All health food stores and online shops have Dead Sea salts and bath salts containing suphur. It is not recommended for heart patients. Back pain can be relieved by some natural therapies like exercise, Hellerwork, Rolfing, reflexology, omega 3 fatty acids, anti inflammatory diet, white willow bark, and Feldenkrais Method.