5 Natural Home Remedies for Back Pain
Back pain can be extremely debilitating and effect our day to day activities. Some of us can even be off work for weeks or months. Sometimes we have tweaked our backs in the gym or pulled something when moving house; perhaps you should have got in touch with your local removals company?
Whatever the reason, there are many of us who do not like or cannot take certain medications. Alternatively, some people like natural solutions for back pain to accompany their pain killers. To get you back up and running in no time, utilise the remedies below.
Heath and Ice Therapy
Mixing between hot and cold, or adopting the temperature that is most comfortable for you can help with most back pain. Usually, inflammation is the cause of back pain, and applying an ice pack (a bag of peas will do) acts a local anaesthetic. The freezing temperature will slow down nerve impulses and stop muscles from spasming, which causes the pain.
If cold therapy isn’t for you try out heat instead. Hot baths, heat pads, or hot water bottles are all great options for relieving back pain. Heat application stops pain messages being sent to the brain and stimulates blood flow. This blood flow helps deliver healing nutrients to the inflamed or damaged area.
Cayenne Pepper
A fantastic home remedy for joint or back pain is cayenne pepper. Mixing half a cup of coconut oil and two tablespoons of cayenne will create an ointment that can be rubbed into the problem area; it is particularly effective on the lower back. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which creates heat and detracts the brain from any pain. Furthermore, the cayenne stimulates bloody flow and eases muscle aches.
Nettle Leaf Tea
You can get your hands-on nettle leaf tea in pretty much any supermarket. You can also make your own by mixing three teaspoons of dried nettle leaf in one cup of boiling water and leaving to steep for 10 minutes. Nettle leaves are rich in boron, silicon, and other minerals that help treat joint pain. Drinking three cups of nettle tea a day can help alleviate back pain. Alternatively, some like to apply the fresh leaves to the problem area. As the word ‘stinging’ often accompanies ‘nettles’ we tend to go for the easy option!
Garlic
If you have pain in your back or joints, incorporating a teaspoon of garlic paste into two of your meals a day can help extensively. Many who suffer with arthritis also regularly consume garlic due to its selenium content (an antioxidant which helps protect cells from damage). Furthermore, garlic contains a sulfur compound called thiacremonone. This compound prevents inflammatory responses in the human body which is why it is used to manage pain.
You can also create a garlic paste to apply to the skin by mixing three cups of extra virgin olive oil and five cloves of crushed garlic. Leave the garlic in the oil for three days, shaking occasionally. Remove the garlic from the oil and apply a generous amount to the area of your back which is sore. Keep the oil in the fridge and apply daily.
Valerian Supplements
Available at most health food shops, valerian supplements are made of the root of the valerian plant which are a flowering herb native to Europe and Asia. Traditionally, valerian supplements are used for the relief of mild anxiety and to aid those who are restless sleepers. However, taking one 250-miligram capsule of valerian four times a day can also help relieve spasming or contracted back muscles. This is because valerian contains ingredients that interact with receptors in the brain to cause a sedating effect and, thus, relaxing any tension. Don’t panic at the word sedative, valerian supplements are completely safe and extremely mild compared to any pharmaceutical product.
