Home Remedies for Back Pain

The anatomy of the back is characterized by a complex network of interconnecting joints, nerves, tendons, ligaments and muscles. They are all extremely sensitive to trauma and since the nerves in region extend towards the extremities, back pain affects overall well-being and limb-mobility.

Underlying Causes of Back Pain:

There are a number of causes that result in the onset of back pain. It is imperative to first understand the trigger factor and then adopt a remedy. Some of the essential evaluations that are required to adopt the right remedy for a back ache include identifying the exact region and the underlying cause. Back pain could cover the entire region from the nape of the neck to the tail bone or any in-between segments. The extent of pain can also be defined as 'onset', 'chronic', 'constant', 'intermittent', 'pulsating' or 'sharp and piercing'. Any back pain needs to be assessed only after considering accompanying symptoms such as weakness or numbness in and around the region. The various trigger factors that take a toll on the back include:

• Bowel or bladder incontinence.
• Severe illness/infection resulting in fever and/or unexplained weight loss.
• Accidents causing bone fracture or other related injury.
• Spinal fracture.
• Osteoporosis.
• Multiple myeloma.
• Cancer, especially lung, breast and prostate cancer.
• Herniated discs.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Nociception.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Sciatica.

Home Remedies for Back Pain:

If the cause of back pain rules out the above trigger factors and narrows down to trauma or physical exertion, there are a number of home remedies that can ease the pain. Though back pain does not call for immediate medical intervention, it is good to sort the cause prior to adopting a remedy. Generally, keeping the body warm and eating freshly cooked hot food helps a lot. Garlic is credited with medicinal properties that are believed to reduce back pain. The flakes could either be chewed on directly or crushed and used in salads, gravies and/or as garnish. Chewing on the leaves of the Holy Basil herb is also known to relieve back ache. The leaves could alternatively be boiled in a cup of water and consumed as a tonic. Eucalyptus oil is also believed to be very useful in the treatment of a back ache. The oil could be massaged onto the area or included in the bath and inhaled to benefit from its aromatic pain relieving properties. A massage with mustard oil is believed to be equally good.

The herb Guggulu is also attributed with numerous pain relieving properties. The ideal prescription is half a teaspoon twice a day, after meals. Another remedy that is available in the kitchen is a mixture of black pepper corns, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. The concoction, if taken at least twice a day, is believed to have a miraculous effect on an aching back. Alternate hot and cold compresses are also considered good back pain relievers. A diet modification to include carrot, cabbage, tomato, cucumber, spinach, lettuce and fresh fruits also helps a lot. The other home remedies for back pain include sleeping on the back, on a firm mattress or ground and developing a routine to accommodate at least 30 minutes of dedicated back exercises. These exercises should be restricted to gently bending forwards and backward and rotating the hip joints, clockwise and anti-clockwise. It is very important to get the trigger factor clinically defined if the pain persists beyond a week.