Herbal and Home Remedies for Back Pain

Back pain is most commonly characterized by discomfort in the lower back region or at the base of the neck. Back pain includes that which is caused by a fracture, sore tendons of muscles or a herniated disc.

Commonly caused by poor posture, overexertion or heavy lifting, back pain is largely considered to be a self-inflicted condition. Pain can develop immediately upon strain or injury, or can develop over time.

Other factors that can cause back pain are:

• Pregnancy
• Arthritis
• Fibrositis (muscle tension often caused by stress)
• Injury (from an automobile accident, sports injury, fall, etc.)
• Obesity
• Urinary tract infection
• Sciatica (caused by a compressed nerve)
• Herniated or slipped disc

Some of the most common symptoms of back pain are:

• Aching, throbbing pain along the spine

• Sharp pain in the back or the neck

• Pain that begins in the lower back and extends to the buttock and the legs

• Muscle spasms in the back

• Poor control over the bladder or bowel

Natural Cures and Home Remedies for Back Pain

• If tolerable, walk as much as possible

• Avoid sitting in soft chairs, which can make back pain worse

• Relieve pressure by lying on back atop a flat surface with legs slightly bent (propping lower legs on pillows or a chair for additional support also helps)v
• If swelling is present, apply ice continually

• If pain is severe, stay off of your feet as much as possible

• Swimming is one of the best home remedies for back pain and provides adequate exercise

• Yoga or Tai Chi stretching can help relieve cramped muscles

• Apply very warm towels or a hot water bottle to the pain while laying on stomach

• When tolerable, exercise helps stimulate blood circulation and the circulation of key nutrients necessary for proper healing

• Massage affected area with turpentine oil, arthcare oil or mint oil

• Make a poultice from raw potatoes and apply directly to back pain

For fast relief of symptoms, whole oats can be boiled with vinegar until soft and the mixture can be applied directly to the pain's locale. Also, cabbage leaves can be boiled in milk until it forms a gelatin substance. The mixture can then be spread on a towel and applied to the painful area.

Herbal remedies for back pain are also quite effective. The following herbs commonly employed as home remedies for back pain can be used to make tea either singularly or in conjunction with one another:

• Balm of Gilead, wild yam
• Wintergreen
• Skunk cabbage
• Willow
• Buchu
• Devil's Claw
• Cayenne
• Lobelia
• Black or blue cohosh
• Celery
• Nettle
• Peppermint
• Quassia bark
• Sarsaparilla
• Yellow dock