Natural Ways to Relieve Back Pain

Back pain is a very common health issue in today’s society. It has been estimated (NASS, 2007*) that 65% of people in the United States experience back pain at least once a month and usually several times a month. What’s more impressive about this study is that they found that “One in three Americans say they suffer from back pain every day or nearly every day!"

In this article you will learn natural ways to relieve back pain. If your back pain is extreme (possibility of an injury) or very persistent, you may have to follow other venues of relief and possibly seek the advice of a naturophatic doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist.

Many people develop back pain after a night of sleep. This is usually because of a “bad” position during sleep, which should not be ignored in order to avoid further back pain. The technique I am going to refer to may be used to relieve your back pain.

What should you do? Lie down in bed facing the ceiling, and put a pillow under your knees and another one under your neck. This position provides full support for your back on your mattress and it usually relieves back pain substantially. Place a solid wood base under your mattress and, if possible, use an extra firm mattress.

If you have back pain during the day or after a long day of work, try this natural way to relieve the pain. Fill the tub with hot water and some Epsom salt. See packaging for dosage information and warnings. Epsom salt is available at most drug stores. Soak in this relaxing bath for 25-30 min. Add more hot water as times passes.

After this immersion bath, put yourself in an horizontal position and, if you have a heating pad, place it under your back. This is a very effective, natural way to relieve back pain.

Sitting or standing on your feet for long periods of time is detrimental for back pain sufferers. People whose jobs require sitting or standing for long periods of time suffer form back pain. This type of back pain can successfully be reduced naturally by eliminating or reducing time spent sitting or standing. If you work 8 hours in front of a computer, try to stand, walk a little, and stretch every 45-60 minutes. If you are a salesperson and need to be standing for long periods of time, try to sit for a few minutes every hour of so, flex your legs frequently and do some stretching. In addition, there are many simple and effective back support braces that are small and portable and can bring much needed relief if you must continue to stand for long periods. Check with your local chiropractor for options. These simple steps can make a big difference in your level of back pain.

For extreme back pain, the possibility of an injury and/or the need for other treatments should be assessed. Try to avoid pain relievers as high levels of acetaminophen and ibuprofen are linked to liver damage and to non-alcoholic fatty liver syndrome.

NASS Back Pain in America” Survey by Pulse Opinion Research April 2007