Backpain – Possible Causes and Natural Treatment Options

This articles tackles about the possible causes as well as natural treatment options for backpain.

Backpain is a common problem for many Americans, regardless of whether they hold a blue collar or white collar job. Tasked with the job of absorbing majority of the shock in the body, it isn’t surprising that more than 31 million American suffer from consistent back pain.

The cause of back pain may vary from one person to another. Nowadays, the most common cause is job-related, especially for office workers who spend most of their day sitting. The stiff position combined with bad posture causes pinching along the back muscles, essentially leading to pain and discomfort. Fortunately, there are natural treatment options for back pain that you can get, either at home or through professionals.

Hot Compress

A hot compress is your first level of defense against back pain. The heat naturally helps the muscles relax, releasing tension and offering pain relief. This is perfect after 8 hours of hard work and would work best when utilized as a full-body treatment. For example, soaking in the bathtub with warm water lets you address not just back pain but also neck pain, leg pain, shoulders, and various other body parts. It’s usually advisable to settle for a temperature that’s as hot as you can stand without scorching the skin. Cold compress is also a popular option, but muscles usually respond better to warmth. Alternating between the two also seems to work.

Massage

In some cases, soaking in a warm bath wouldn’t be enough. If you’re suffering from consistent back pain, a massage might be the best option available. Massage therapists are capable of finding the spot that pain you specifically and applying a gentle, soothing pressure to ease the tension. At the same time, the massage helps restore blood flow in the body and stimulate the pores.

Chiropractor Care

Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that involves spinal manipulation. A little more complicated than massages, chiropractic medicine adjusts the musculoskeletal system so that nerve pinching, muscle inflammation and even minor bone dislocations can be corrected. Typically used by athletes, chiropractic care has been proven not only as a pain-relieving method but also as a way to minimize future back pain.

Acupuncture

Another form of alternative medicine, acupuncture for back pain targets specific pressure points in the body and pushes on them to relieve the pain. It’s a very effective system that works the same way as a massage, except with more targeted and therefore quicker results. Acupuncture may be combined with other forms of alternative medicine such as acupressure and aromatherapy.

Kneeling Stool

If your sudden lower back pain is mostly caused by bad chair design, perhaps it’s time to consider a kneeling stool. This ergonomic chair is specifically designed to promote good posture while sitting, allowing the back to remain straight with no pinching or pressure. Kneeling stools are typically used not just to stop back pain but also to prevent future occurrences. You’ll find that there are currently different models available today.

Exercise for Back Pain

Now this might seem like counter-productive for most, but some exercises can actually help ease back pain as well as prevent it. Note though that this does not mean strenuous exercise. Instead, you’ll be doing stretches, mostly within the realm of Yoga movements. When executed properly, these stretches works much like self-chiropractic care, adjusting the musculoskeletal system and reducing inflammation. It’s best to have a video for reference – and make sure to pay attention to proper posture! Wrong execution can worsen the pain rather than heal it.

Resting the Back

Most of the time, a good rest is enough to stop back pain. If this is your first time experiencing the problem, just lie down on the bed and let your body do the work. With proper rest, the muscles and nerves start to heal, the inflammation dies down and suddenly – you’re as good as new! Heat application however can speed up the healing process.

It’s important to note that in the event of trauma or chronic back pain, the natural methods offered here are no longer feasible. Contact your doctor to get the best treatment possible, especially after an accident. For heavy trauma, a physical therapist is best employed to ensure that correct treatment is offered. Pain-relieving medication may also be used, but only under the advice of a doctor!