Natural Back Pain Remedies
Simple Ways to Ease Back Muscle Pain
Back pain is an extremely common condition. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly everyone will experience back pain at some point. In many cases, this condition can be alleviated by using natural back pain remedies. Most of these remedies are considered safe and people can use them without having to worry about possible side effects.
Back pain can be mild or severe. In severe cases, the pain is usually caused by a medical condition such as arthritis, or an injury. Common causes of back muscle pain include sports injuries, automobile accidents, or lifting heavy objects. A person who has back pain may experience stiffness, sore muscles, and difficulty standing up straight.
Acupuncture Pain Relief
Chinese medicine has long supported the notion of acupuncture pain relief and healing qualities. The belief is that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce natural pain relievers that help the body heal itself. It is recommended that patients get treatments once a week for several weeks. Research indicates that people who use acupuncture for natural back pain relief, are often still free from pain nearly two years after the treatment ends.
Researchers analyzed the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating back muscle pain, in a study at Sheffield University in the United Kingdom. 159 people participated in the study. Nearly half of the participants underwent acupuncture treatments. This group saw their symptoms gradually subside. Within two years, their pain was completely gone.
Vitamin D for Natural Back Pain Relief
Researchers are finding a growing amount of evidence that some back pain is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (May 2008), older women with inadequate vitamin D levels were twice as likely to experience moderate to severe back pain. Researchers believe this is because a lack of vitamin D can cause the bones to soften, which causes lower back pain.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that adults get 400-800 IU of vitamin D daily. People who have darker skin, such as Hispanics, Asians and African Americans, are more at risk for vitamin D deficiency because dark skin does not sufficiently transform the sun's UV rays into vitamin D. Foods that contain vitamin D include fortified juices, milk, and cereals, and certain fish.
Willow Bark Extract
Willow bark extract is also considered to be among the back pain remedies that are proven to work. Willow bark works as a natural pain reliever. It has the same effect on the body as aspirin. White willow bark contains salicin. Once a person consumes salicin, the body turns it into salicylic acid, which reduces inflammation and pain.
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine supports the effectiveness of willow bark extract as a treatment for lower back muscle pain. Researchers found that nearly half of the participants who received willow bark extract improved significantly after one week, and were pain free after four weeks of treatment.
Back Pain Remedies
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