If this is the case, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a number of natural remedies that have been proven to soothe aches and pains and release tension in the back. Here, we reveal the best tried-and-tested natural remedies for back pain and inflammation.
Offer: Book a free consultation with West Chiropractic >
Add more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet
What we put inside our bodies is crucial to how they look and heal on the outside. There’s also a huge amount of food with anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce back pain. These include turmeric, ginger, green tea and cherry juice. Try adding them to smoothies or porridge a few times a week to help the nutrients build up in your bloodstream. As well as reducing overall inflammation, these ingredients can prevent new inflammatory pain from arising.
Avoid staying still for long periods of time
If you’re in pain, being told to move around probably isn’t what you want to hear. But it really does have its benefits. Sitting for long periods of time puts a huge amount of pressure on your spinal disc. By getting up and walking around, you’re taking the stress away from this area. Posture is also important so make sure to align your shoulders, neck and back every hour. A standing desk could help if you’re required to work at a computer and simple joint rotation exercises can stop muscles from tensing.
Release some endorphins
Endorphins are specific hormones that your body makes naturally. However, they can help to stop pain signals in your brain. As well as this, they reduce stress and anxiety and can boost moods. All of this can help with pain. Some of the best ways to release endorphins include meditation, massages, exercises and simply doing things you enjoy.
Remember to stretch
As well as remembering to move regularly, a consistent exercise regime will help. It’s important not to overdo yourself and, on days where the pain is bad, just relax. Yoga offers a gentle and effective way to stretch your back, improve muscle strength and stimulate blood flow around the body. Many find that starting their day with a yoga session helps to loosen up their spine and reduce stiffness.
Get enough sleep
Trying to get to sleep when you’re in pain is near-on impossible, we get it. But when you do sleep, it’s the body’s chance to recover so it’s essential that you get some. Try and keep yourself as calm as possible just before bed, turning TVs and phones off at least one hour before. A drink of something creamy like hot chocolate or a natural tea packed with chamomile can help you to switch off too. Taking a book to bed or playing some calming music can also be a good idea.
Try swimming
If you’re struggling with exercise but want to keep your body moving, and healthy, swimming can be a fantastic choice. Water allows you to enjoy the benefits of exercise with less stress on your joints and, therefore, less pain. Swimming can also help to regulate the way nerves and muscles function which is another way to relieve pain. Get in touch with your local leisure centre to enquire about classes or ask about a nearby hydrotherapy pool if you prefer water that’s warmer.
Keep a hot/cold pack close by
Handheld gel packs are great to keep in your bag and mean you don’t have to put up with pain. Simply pop in the freezer for a cool and soothing solution or warm up in the microwave for 30 seconds for a calming effect on pain spots. Activated quickly, these patches can be worn under your clothes and are a fast and simple way to relieve pain – exactly when you need it.
Seek professional help
A chiropractor will be able to find the root cause of your back pain and provide natural solutions and treatment options to get rid of the problem. From spinal adjustments, massage, acupuncture, shoe inserts and in-clinic exercise programmes, we have a variety of techniques that help to correct problems long-term and allow you to be healthier and pain-free.
Back pain can be debilitating but there are solutions. If you’d like to discuss any of the above or would like to book a free consultation with one of our chiropractors, get in touch today. We’ve helped many people, just like you, to get to the cause of their back pain, understand the reasons and – most importantly – get their life back on track.
