Back Pain: Causes, Prevention, and Natural Treatments

If you've ever experienced back pain, you know how it can turn even the simplest tasks into a challenge. Whether it's a dull ache or a sharp stab, back pain can make it hard to focus on anything else. But you're not alone. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. The good news is that there are many ways to prevent and treat back pain naturally.

Understanding Back Pain

Back pain, regardless of location, can come on suddenly and last less than six weeks (considered ‘acute’), often due to a fall or heavy lifting. Back pain that lasts more than three months (‘chronic’) is less common than acute pain, but still occurs frequently enough to affect millions of people every year.

Back pain often develops without a specific cause that your doctor can identify with a test or imaging study. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include muscle or ligament strain, bulging or ruptured discs, arthritis, skeletal irregularities, and osteoporosis.

Natural Treatments for Back Pain

When it comes to managing back pain, a holistic approach that considers both physical and emotional aspects of well-being can be highly beneficial. Here are some natural approaches that can help:

Acupuncture and Cupping: In my practice, back pain is probably the most common complaint. By using cupping to improve blood flow in the paraspinal muscles and acupuncture to normalize nerve conduction and reduce pain, most back pain sufferers experience noticeable relief within just a few visits.

Physical therapy: PTs/’physios’ are trained to work with back pain patients both with the use of muscle stimulation machines, laser treatment and other modalities, as well as doing strength work to tone the core muscles that support the integrity of the spine.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight puts extra stress on your back. Eating a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help you maintain a healthy weight.

• Quit Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow to your lower spine, which can contribute to spinal disk degeneration. This is but one reason to commit to smoking cessation, alongside the relationship of smoking to nearly every form of cancer.
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Chronic back pain is straining both physically and emotionally. To manage the frustration, depression, and other psychological aspects of dealing with chronic pain, you may get referred to a rehabilitation psychologist.
• Exercise: Regular low-impact aerobic activities can increase strength and endurance in your back and improve muscle function. Walking and swimming are great options.
• Hit! Balm: Both our Extra and Mega Strength balms can help reduce back pain and as in my acupuncture practice, this is probably the most common application for Hit! Balm.

Taking the Next Step

The remedies listed above are not a substitute for medical advice. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it's important to seek professional medical help in the form of an orthopedist, acupuncturist, physical therapist or pain management specialist.