Back pain is such a common complaint that nearly all people experience it at some point in their lives. It is a global burden, and it holds two records: the leading cause of disability worldwide and the most common reason for workplace absence and doctor’s visits.
Bones, muscles, and joints make up your back, and they work in harmony together. Back pain occurs if the functional ability of these parts gets disrupted. Fortunately, there are natural painkillers that can relieve back pain without the use of prescription drugs.
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If you have muscle pain, muscle spasms, and even arthritis, soaking in warm water can appease your back pain. Putting additional essential oils or Epsom salts to the bathtub can relax your muscles even more. On top of that, a hot bath also relaxes your whole body. If you take one before bedtime, it can encourage a restful night sleep, which is critical in the healing process.
Massage therapy can help loosen up tight muscles or heal sore tissues. It pinpoints specific areas within the soft tissues. It can relieve tension in target areas, which is helpful for chronic back pain, and an excellent way to address muscular imbalance.
One of the best natural ways to alleviate back pain is by drinking plenty of water every day. Experts suggest drinking eight glasses of water daily. Staying well hydrated prevents muscle stiffness, encourages healthy blood flow and oxygen exchange, flushes out toxins from cells and tissues, and keeps your intervertebral discs spongy.
Staying outdoors, walking, and exposing your skin to the sun midday can benefit your health. The sun is the best natural source of Vitamin D. Research has found a link between a lack of Vitamin D and chronic pain conditions. Being outside will improve your back pain by boosting your vitamin D levels from sun exposure, so you experience less pain.
These offer relief for back pain. Apply essential oils to areas where you experience pain or use them for aromatherapy. Some of the oils that can benefit back pain sufferers are peppermint, rosemary, and lavender.
Apply an ice pack to the painful area of your back to reduce its inflammation. Also, steer clear of inflammatory foods in your diet such as trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, aspartame, and refined carbohydrates to keep back pain at bay.
This can have a positive impact on both your physical and mental health. Yoga helps stretch or strengthen the problem areas of your back. It develops the body’s balance, strength, and flexibility. Yoga also boosts your mental health and well-being. Your trained instructor should provide you specific guidance on poses so you can modify or avoid poses that cause you discomfort and pain.
Your body produces endorphins, hormones that serve as natural pain relievers, also known as the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals. They join opiate receptors and block the dispatch of pain signals. You can boost your endorphin levels by laughing, eating spicy foods, listening to music, exercising, and sniffing certain scents such as lavender or vanilla.
Calming down, being mindful, and deliberately guiding your thoughts are powerful strategies to feel better physically and mentally. There are in-person and online classes you can take to develop your meditation skills. There are many meditation techniques, so choose the one that works for you and start a routine that will help you manage your back pain.
Your spine’s health is directly related to your back pain. The spine works as an anchor for your back, and any issue that may occur with the muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints can cause abnormal spinal alignment.
The vertebrae of your spinal column are linked together like a chain. This explains why the position of each bone affects all the others. Of all the bones in the spine, the atlas (C1) is the most freely moveable vertebra. It is in the topmost vertebra in the neck, forming a junction with the base of the skull. Due to its mobility, it is prone to misaligning. When it shifts out of alignment, your head is no longer in a neutral position, forcing your back and spine to compensate. This results in discomfort and back pain.
Upper cervical chiropractors work on correcting atlas alignment to help the entire back function at its optimum. The rest of the spine can operate normally when the head maintains its neutral position. By adjusting the atlas, you can address the root cause of your back pain and resolve it. Seek the help of the nearest chiropractor in your area to learn more about how you can benefit from upper cervical chiropractic care.
References:
https://www.spine-health.com/blog/14-natural-pain-relievers
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TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
