Simple and Natural Forms of Lower Back Pain Treatment
Lower back pain is an extremely prevalent health problem worldwide, and also a major cause of disability. It is estimated that over three quarters of Americans experience lower back pain at some stage, and it is a condition that can affect everyone from children to the elderly. Back pain can have so many different causes – poor posture, too much time driving or sitting in front of a computer, wearing the wrong shoes (no matter how cute they are), or an uncomfortable mattress can all contribute. The pain can be excruciating and debilitating – you can learn more in this article discussing the symptoms and diagnosis of lower back pain.
The good news is that there are plenty of natural remedies that can help alleviate and treat the pain, and even some preventative measures you can take to nip back pain in the bud. Here, we’ll discuss some of the many different options for preventing or treating lower back pain.
Please note that this article is not a replacement for a medical diagnosis or treatment from a medical professional. If you are experiencing extreme or persistent pain, please consult your doctor.
1. Start by Making Your Office More Ergonomic
Many people experience back pain if they spend a lot of time at a workstation that is not set up in an ergonomic manner. In the modern working world, spending long hours at a desk is an unfortunate reality for most of us, but that doesn’t mean your back should have to suffer.
Ensuring you have a quality, comfortable ergonomic chair with an adjustable back, seat, and arms will go a long way to improving your workplace ergonomics and reducing the strain on your back. Adjustable desks have also recently become very common additions to office workstations, and having the option to change your working posture throughout the day certainly seems beneficial. You can learn more about improving the ergonomics of your work station here.
Even if you aren’t experiencing back pain, you can still improve the ergonomics of your work setup – it’s a great way to ensure your lower back stays pain-free.
2. Physical Activity as a Treatment of Lower Back Pain
Honestly, is there anything that exercise can’t fix? Many people find that making more time for physical activity provides back pain relief, which is great news for those looking for an affordable and natural lower back pain treatment. Exercising your back reduces stiffness and keeps the connective fibers of ligaments and tendons flexible. If you’re suffering from back pain due to muscle tension or stiffness, back exercises and stretches should certainly provide some relief. What’s more, keeping your back strong and flexible means that muscles and tendons are less likely to tear under stress, reducing your risk of back injury and pain in the future.
Being overweight or obese can also increase your chances of experiencing lower back pain, as this puts additional tension and stress on your back muscles and ligaments. Using exercise to lose weight can be an effective method of relieving your lower back pain, and can also be used as a preventative measure to reduce your chances of developing back pain in the future.
How to Treat Lower Back Pain
There are so many lower back pain treatment options that it can be hard to know where to start. Many people opt to try natural remedies rather than turning straight to pain-killers, as the use of certain over-the-counter painkillers has been linked with kidney and liver disease, as well as addiction and other unwanted side effects, particularly if they are used on a long-term basis.
Thankfully, there are plenty of simple and natural lower back pain treatments that can provide you with fast, effective back pain relief. Let’s look at a few of the options.
1. Apply an ice pack to your lower back
Ice can be a highly effective (and quick!) lower back pain treatment, especially if you have just started to experience back pain. Lower back pain is often associated with inflammation and swelling, which can cause soft tissue in your back to press on spinal nerve endings, causing pain. When you apply ice to the problem area, you can reduce swelling and inflammation (albeit temporarily), thus providing some much-needed pain relief.
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2. Try topical pain relievers for lower back pain treatment
In recent years, topical pain relieving cream and ointment that can be applied directly to the painful area have grown in popularity, due to their effectiveness at providing relief for minor aches and pains. Topical creams are a popular option for those looking for pill-free pain relief and hoping to avoid the potentially dangerous side effects that often come with over-the-counter oral analgesics.
However, it is important to realize that certain topical treatments do contain NSAIDs, opiates and certain chemicals – so if you’re looking for a natural lower back pain treatment make sure you scope out the ingredients list before you make a purchase. Look for products containing capsaicin, menthol or camphor as active ingredients – these are natural compounds that have been shown to provide a cooling or heating sensation at the area of application, and can actually interrupt pain signaling in the brain, resulting in natural, effective pain relief.
CBDMEDIC™’s Back & Neck Pain Relief Ointment offers targeted pain relief for a wide variety of back, shoulder and neck pains. Whether you are suffering from a strain, tight muscle knots or general muscle soreness, this hypoallergenic ointment provides a 100% naturally derived treatment option for lower back pain. The key active ingredients of camphor and menthol reduce pain with a cooling sensation that offers relief for minor pains.
3. Explore the benefits of massage therapy and acupuncture
A massage can provide fantastic (albeit temporary) relief for lower back pain. Massage increases blood flow and circulation to the affected area, which brings nutrients to the muscles and removes toxins such as lactic acid which can cause muscle stiffness and pain. Massage therapy also works to loosen tight muscles, which can provide back pain relief that is caused by muscle tension or strains.
Acupuncture can also offer relief from lower back pain and works by stimulating the nerves in muscles and surrounding tissues. This causes the release of endorphins and other compounds, which ultimately leads to stress relief, muscle relaxation, and reduced feelings of pain from tense muscles. Many people find that combining massage, acupuncture, and topical pain relief solutions is the best option for treating lower back pain.
Don’t Let Lower Back Pain Control Your Life
Back pain can cause intense discomfort, prevent you from doing things you enjoy, and affect your sleep or ability to work. However, there are so many effective, natural methods of lower back pain treatment that you don’t need to be in pain for long. Keep your body happy and healthy, and find rapid relief from frustrating lower back pain with the treatments described above.
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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It has not been approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, prevent, cure, or mitigate any diseases or conditions. We use CBD in our products for cosmetic purposes only.
