Back ache
Most people today suffer from back ache at least occasionally. This isn't surprising, since our back supports the body and is used to do practically everything. Some people feel pain in their upper or middle back, but the vast majority of people with chronic backache problems will feel it in their lower back.
Symptoms
Pain is normally felt in the middle of the back or lower. The pain may radiate to both sides of the waist and might include the hips. With severe back pain, a person may be bedridden and unable to move.
Causes
Causes of back ache range from the easily corrected to severe medical problems. Environmental causes may include poor posture, muscle tension, bad nutrition, lack of exercise, sitting for long periods, high heels, emotional stress and improper lifting. Internal problems like kidney and prostate illness may cause back pain, as can menstrual problems, the flu and arthritis. The most severe causes include spinal problems like a slipped disc or degeneration of the spinal vertebrae.
Cautions
Use caution when bending your back and shoulders. Do not lift items with your back. Use the powerful muscles of your legs to lift. Severe back pain should be examined by a physician. Degenerative problems need medical care.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Lemon – mix the juice of one lemon with salt and take it twice a day for relief.
- Holy basil – make a syrup from holy basil leaves and 1 cup of water. Reduce the liquid until it measures about half a cup. Add salt and take daily for backache.
- Herbal blend – this blend can help with back pain. Mix the following herbs together: 1 tablespoon of yarrow, 1 tablespoon of skullcap and 1 tablespoon of boneset. Add this mixture to 2 cups of water and simmer for half an hour, keeping it covered. Strain out the herbs and add 1 tablespoon of the liquid to a cup of hot water in your cup. Add in 1 teaspoon of psyllium and sweeten with honey if you wish. Take this daily for backache.
- Valerian – this herb is a muscle relaxant. Take 1 to 2 capsules with warm water to relax painful muscles and aid your sleep.
External Applications
- Garlic – an oil prepared from garlic cloves is useful for back ache that is due to muscular pain. Fry ten cloves of garlic in sesame or coconut oil in a frying pan over low heat until the garlic is brown. Remove the garlic from the oil. After the oil has cooled, it can be rubbed into the sore regions of the back. Let the oil remain on the skin for three hours before washing it off. This treatment should be continued at least fifteen days.
- Mint – mint oil is also a good massage oil to use for backache.
- Arnica – this herb can be applied externally as a tea, a cream or a salve. Arnica eases muscle pain and bruising, as well as strains and sprains.
- Gentian – a traditional remedy for backache from the Catawba Indians was to steep the roots in hot water, then apply the hot liquid to sore backs.
AROMATHERAPY
Oils that may offer muscular relief include:
- Cypress
- Juniper
- Lavender
- Nutmeg - add 1 drop of essential oil to 15 ml carrier oil and rub into affected area 3 times a day. Alternatively use in bath once a day.
- Rosemary - add 3 drops of essential oil to 10ml carrier oil, ie jojoba or sweet almond oil. Rub into affected area 3 times a day.
These oils can be used stand alone or in combination. Use in massage, bath or compress.
Combinations:
Cypress 3 drops, Juniper 3 drops, Rosemary or Lavender 4 drops.