NaturalMedications

BACKACHE
Description

Backache is one of the most common ailments prevalent today. Sedentary living habits, hazardous work patterns and psychological conditions associated with emotional stress, which bring about spasm of the muscles, cause backaches. As the back bears the weight of the entire body, overweight persons feel the strain on the back when they have to carry an extra load.

Remedies

Garlic: The most important home remedy for backache is the use of garlic.Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to get results.Oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give great relief. This oil is prepared by frying ten cloves of garlic in 60 ml of oil in a frying pan. Any of the oil,which is used as rubefacients,such as mustard oil,sesame oil,and coconut oil,can be used according to one's choice. They should be fried on a slow fire till they are brown. After the oil has cooled,it should be applied vigorously on the back,and allowed to remain there for three hours. The patient may,thereafter,take a warm-water bath.This treatment should be continued for at least fifteen days.

Lemon: Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of one lemon should be mixed with common salt and taken by the patient twice daily. It will give relief.

Chebulic Myroblan: The use of chebulic myroblan is beneficial in the treatment of backache. A small piece of this fruit should be eaten after meals. This will give quick relief.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C has proved valuable in case of severe backaches. About 2,000 mg of this vitamin should be taken daily for treating this condition. Considerable improvement will be noticeable within two days.

Potato: Raw potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, characterized by incapacitating pain in the lumbar region, especially in the lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the form of a poultice has been found very effective in this condition.

Dietary Considerations

The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of a salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce, and, at least, two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach, and plenty of fruits, except bananas. The patient should have four meals daily. Fruit and milk are advised for breakfast, steamed vegetables and whole-wheat chapatis for lunch; fresh fruit or fruit juice in the evening; and a bowl of raw salad and sprouts during dinner.

The patient should avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods, curd, sweetmeats and sugar; condiments; and tea and coffee. Foods that have been processed for preservation have few nutrients and should also be eliminated from the diet.

Other Measures

Smoking or taking tobacco in any form should be given up completely. Hot fomentation, alternate sponging, or application of heat to the back will also give immediate relief.

Yogic asanas, which are beneficial in the treatment of backache, are bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halsana, uttanpadasana and shavasana.

The American Indians knew that the birch tree had many medicinal uses. They gathered the leaves or the inner bark of the black birch, and steeped them in hot water to make a tea to relieve lower back pain. Black birch was also used by the American Indians as a diuretic and to expel intestinal worms.

The residents of the Fiji Islands were the first to realize the medicinal values of the fruit and bark of
the papaya tree. Several other cultures have since recognized the papaya's powerful curative abilities.
Research is now being done to develop the fruit's active enzyme, papain, in the treatment of herniated (slipped) discs in the lower (lumbar) area of the back, a frequent source of severe back pain.

Ever tried a wheat compress?

2 to 6 lbs of wheat (depending on the size of the painful area) boiled in 2 to 6 quarts of water for 20
minutes. After straining off the water, the hot wheat kernels are placed on a folded towel in bed. Spending 2 to 3 hours upon the hot kernels (taking care not to burn) once a day for 5 to 10 days provides relief.

Low Back Massage Oil


A blend of Lavender, Eucalyptus and Ginger will do wonders for alleviating lower back pain. Blend with any carrier oil and massage. 1 oz carrier oil and 10 to 15 drops of essential oils (total # of drops).
Try :
6 drops lavender
4 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Ginger

Top 10 Techniques to Lessen Back Pain

1. When lifting, adopt the golf lift. If you watch golfers lift their ball out of the cup, you will notice that they bend over with one leg and have the other leg extended behind them. This way the lower back never bends and is always kept in a straight position.

2. When getting in your vehicle, place you buttocks in before your legs; then try to bring one leg in the car at a time. This will reduce the pressure on the lower back.

3. If you have experienced a neck injury, make sure you don't sleep on two or three pillows. The height of the pillows can cause stress on the spine and cause muscles to spasm, resulting in pain.

4. For women with cervical spine problems it is important to eliminate the heavy purses from your shoulders. Your purse is heavier than you may realize and can be causing unwanted pressure on your shoulders and neck.

5. When getting out of bed, roll to the side nearest the end of the bed and place your top hand on the side of the bed. Then begin to push downward on the bed while pushing up with your elbow and forearm of the other arm. Once you get to a sitting position, push up with both hands. This will decrease the amount of jerking when getting up from bed.

6. Sit in chairs with arms. This way you can position yourself with both feet on the floor and both hands on the arms of the chair. Push upward to get out of the chair.

7. When using the toilet make sure you know were everything is prior to using the facilities. Locate the toilet paper in advance to reduce as much twisting as possible. If the sink is near, use one hand on it and the other on your opposite thigh and push together to help yourself up.

8. When lifting heavy objects ask yourself these questions: Can I get help? How am I going to lift the object and where am I going to place it? Does this need two people to lift?

9. When lifting heavy objects, spread your feet wide apart and squat down, bending at the knees before lifting. The main thrust must come from the thighs rather than the back. The pressure must be taken off the low back and put on the thighs to be a proper lift.

10. When lifting heavy but awkward objects, think before you lift. Ask yourself how you are going to lift the object before you lift it. Get in a position that allows for maximum balance and leverage without putting pressure on your lower back.