7 Awesome Natural Treatment Options for Back Pain

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Back pain is more common than you might think. Millions of people experience back pain every day in the United States alone. A variety of things can trigger your back pain. The cause may lie in poor posture, sedentary lifestyle, excessive weight, or underlying health conditions. But regardless of the cause, everyone wants to relieve pain and improve the quality of their lives.

Of course, the most popular back pain treatment option is medications. OTC pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs provide relief and help return to normal life. But excessive use of medications may have an adverse effect on your body and cause unpleasant side effects. In this regard, people suffering from back pain are looking for other ways to manage their pain.

Below are 7 effective ways to relieve your back pain without medications. 

1. Anti-inflammatory diet

Inflammation is one of the factors that cause back pain or make it worse. If you want to relieve back pain, you need to stay on top of inflammation management. One of the best natural ways to manage inflammation is an anti-inflammatory diet. 

You need to fill your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, healthful fats, and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. Also, you need to limit the consumption of products that can trigger or aggravate inflammation. Such include processed foods, red meats, and alcohol.

2. Healthy weight

Obesity is a major risk factor for back pain. Excessive pounds add stress to your back muscles and joints, making them more susceptible to wear and tear.  Over time, this can result in spine degenerative conditions and chronic back pain. Losing excessive weight can reduce the load on your back and relieve pain. If you have difficulty losing excess weight, consult your doctor. The specialist can develop a personal weight loss plan for you to improve back pain. 

3. Acupuncture

The idea of inserting needles in your body to relieve pain may sound strange. But acupuncture is a really effective way to treat spine aches. This type of therapy works by stimulating specific points in your body. Their stimulation triggers the release of a chemical that helps relieve pain and release tension in the back muscles. While acupuncture is a safe treatment option for back pain, it should be performed by an experienced and certified practitioner. 

4. Massage

Most healthcare practitioners recommend massage as a way to treat and prevent back pain. Massage helps relax your back muscle and release tension that causes back pain. Besides, massage encourages blood flow to the back. This improves the regenerative processes in your back and aids in the recovery of muscle soreness.

Massage leads to increased levels of endorphins. Endorphins are natural body pain killers that help lower back pain and make you feel better. 

5. Yoga

Yoga is highly recommended for the treatment of back pain. It helps improve the flexibility of your spine and build muscle strength. The right poses can relax back muscles and release tension that contributes to pain. Practicing yoga even ten minutes a day can bring significant relief and improve your overall wellbeing. You can schedule yoga classes or just find yoga poses on the internet to practice them at home. 

6. Stress management

While it can be hard to believe, stress is a common cause of back pain. When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol. In small amounts, this hormone is good for your body. But constantly elevated levels of cortisol can cause significant muscle tension and trigger back pain. Managing your stress levels can help relieve back muscle tension and improve overall wellbeing. 

The most popular ways to manage stress include meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and talk therapy. Regular physical activity and a healthy diet will also help you relieve stress and improve overall wellbeing. 

7. Aquatic therapy 

Aquatic therapy can provide significant relief for people with back pain. Being in the warm water helps soothe your back muscles and promotes overall relaxation. The buoyancy of water reduces the stress placed on your spine by reducing body weight. Swimming in the pool improves the range of motion, helps build back muscle strength, and relieves back pain.