Back Pain – reasons and remedies

If there is one ailment that affects people on a large scale, then backache qualifies as the first name that comes to mind. Although not contagious, this problem has had most of us in its clutches either at some point in time or perpetually. The reasons for backache are many and so are the herbal cures; only if we choose not to be casual about it anymore.

Backache is one of the most common and the most incapacitating ailments of the body. Whether the pain is localised or spreads all over the back, whether it is temporary or a chronic problem; whether it is hereditary or a result of some external factor; this problem often causes great difficulty and pain and restricts movements of all kinds, making the affected area sensitive and inflamed.

The reasons for backache can be many. Some of these are mentioned below along with their symptoms and herbal cures.

•    Sciatica - many a times a protruding disc might press the sciatic nerve and this may cause extreme pain during movement. The pain runs down the side of the hip all along the leg right to the tip of the toe. This problem may be caused due to injury, accident, wrong posture or degenerative osteoporosis.      

Herbal remedies – ashwagandha powder and kishore guggul capsules are an effective cure for this ailment. Ten tulsi leaves, boiled in a cup of water and then strained, provide an effective solution to drink which needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, two times a day.

•    Leucorrhea – Leucorrhea is a female genital tract ailment which causes abnormal white to yellowish discharge, which may or may not be itchy and foul smelling. The problem although very common in women can not be taken lightly as it leads to immense fatigue, headaches and even osteoporosis.  Herbal cures – lady’s fingers, walnuts, fenugreet seeds, Chanderprabha Vati, Kaishore Guggul, Ashoka, Amaranth roots, etc are some effective cures for Leucorrhea and eventually the backache that stems from it.    
                                                       
•    Osteoporosis – This is a degenerative bone disease, which is growing in women these days. Caused mainly due to calcium and Vit-D deficiency, this disease reduces bone density tremendously and may even result in fractures at the slightest impact. Severe back pain is a continuous symptom, one which might even lead to restriction of movement in extreme cases.

Herbal cures – if this problem once sets in it can not be cured, but can certainly be contained and managed. In order to avoid further damage of bones, intake of calcium rich foods, Vit D supplements, spinach, carrots, olive oil, Soya rich foods, etc should be increased. Regular exercise and walks are a must. A few drops of almond oil in milk or a handful of sesame seeds everyday are very beneficial.

•    Osteoarthritis – this degenerative disease destroys the synovial membrane, synovial fluid and forms osteophytes which are bony fragments rubbing against the bones and cartilages within and around the joint. The joint space is reduced and this causes excruitiating pain during any kind of movement.

Natural Remedies – other than increasing the intake of foods rich in calcium, it is also necessary to have a balanced and nutritional diet. Weight loss, exercise and massage with aromatic, anti-inflammatory oils also help as do herbs like – aloe vera and tulsi.

•    Muscle spasms – often the supporting muscles of the back get into a spasmodic phase due to over exertion, sprain or strain.                             

Natural remedies – To cure this condition rest is as important as hot fermentation. Keeping oneself warm also serves well.

•    Spondylitis – this disease affects the spinal cord and the vertebrae and causes widespread damage to the bones of the neck, hip joint and inter-vertebral joints. The result is stiffness and lack of free movement to the sides. Giddiness and swelling may also be experienced commonly along with headaches. Herbal remedies – Aloe Vera juice consumed regularly in addition to herbal medicines like aam-vatantak churna, Yograj Guggul and Kaishire Guggul prove to be effective. It is best to keep oneself warm and stay away from strenuous exercises, lifting weights of any kind and working on PC for long hours.
•    Constipation – this ailment which causes problem in regular and timely passage of stool and delays it by three to four days also in extreme cases, is often seen as one of the most common factors causing back ache, mainly due to acidity related problems.                                                                        

Herbal cures – increase the intake of warm foods. Take glass of warm milk at night before sleeping. A cup of warm water early in the morning helps relieve constipation. Add ginger garlic to your daily diet. Add tulsi and turmeric to your night time glass of milk.

•    Rheumatoid Back Pain – this chronic disease extreme pain and stiffness in the limbs restricting movement in the limbs and joints. It is mainly caused due to a weak immune system.
                                                                              
Herbal remedies –  this problem finds an effective cure in Kaishore guggul, Aamvatantak Churna,  Ashwagandha, Punarnava mandoor, Yograj guggul etc.

Back pain may be caused due to other reasons such as kidney problem, urinary tract infection, ovary related conditions, ankolysing spondylitis etc. to cure the ailment in general it is best to inculcate some lifestyle changes –

•    Take a daily back massage with mustard oil in which garlic pods have been heated. This is an excellent help for backaches.
•    Mix five cloves, five black pepper corns, one-gram dry ginger powder, 5 gram fenugreek powder and 5 gram Turmeric. Consume this mixture twice a day.
•    Some foods which are good for the daily consumption are – tomatoes, cabbage, carrot, spinach and fruits.
•    Form a daily exercise routine and go on walks.
•    Do strength building exercises.
•    However, take complete rest while there is severe pain.

Treating back pain is a slow and continuous process and needs persistent effort from the patient. You can not take the problem casually or ignore it as it may lead to worsening of the condition.