Back pain is a health concern for most people in the United States at some point in their lives and one of the most common reasons people miss work or visit the doctor.
More than 80 percent of Americans will experience low back pain, and this health problem costs the United States over $100 billion each year, most of which is a result of lost wages.
Here is a glance at 15 popular natural remedies for back pain relief. Although further research is needed before any of these remedies can be recommended as a standard treatment for back pain, some of them may offer relief for mild to moderate back pain, particularly when part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
If you're considering using alternative medicine for back pain, talk with your doctor first. It's important to note that self-treating with alternative medicine and avoiding or delaying standard care may be harmful to your health.
Acupuncture
A 2008 study published in the journal Spine found "strong evidence that acupuncture can be a useful supplement to other forms of conventional therapy" for low back pain. After analyzing 23 clinical trials with a total of 6,359 patients, the study authors also found "moderate evidence that acupuncture is more effective than no treatment" in relief of back pain.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, pain results from blocked energy along the meridians of the body, which are unblocked when acupuncture needles are inserted along these invisible pathways.
Acupuncture may also release natural pain-relieving opioids, send signals to the sympathetic nervous system, and release neurochemicals and hormones.
If you want to try acupuncture for your chronic pain, plan on going one to three times a week for several weeks initially. Acupuncture may be tax-deductible as a medical expense and some insurance plans pay for acupuncture.
Massage Therapy
Whether or not research can prove that massage therapy helps, many people report that it relaxes them and eases chronic pain.
In a 2009 research review published in Spine, researchers reviewed 13 clinical trials on the use of massage in the treatment of back pain and concluded massage "might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic nonspecific low back pain, especially when combined with exercises and education." The study authors called for further studies that might help determine whether massage is a cost-effective treatment for low back pain.
Massage therapy may also alleviate anxiety and depression associated with chronic pain. It is the most popular natural therapy for low back pain during pregnancy.
Chiropractic Care
Doctors of chiropractic use chiropractic spinal manipulation to restore joint mobility. They manually apply a controlled force to joints that have become restricted by muscle injury, strain, inflammation, and pain. Manipulation is believed to relieve pain and muscle tightness and encourage healing.
Chiropractic care involving spinal manipulation appears to reduce symptoms and improve function in patients with chronic low back pain, acute low back pain, and sub-acute low back pain, according to an analysis of 64 clinical trials.
The study, published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, found combining chiropractic care with exercise is likely to speed recovery and protect against future episodes of back pain.
Capsaicin Cream
If you've ever eaten a chili pepper and felt your mouth burn, you've experienced capsaicin's effects. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers.
When applied to the skin, capsaicin has been found to deplete a neurochemical that transmits pain, causing an analgesic effect.
In a 2011 research review published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, investigators anayzled two clinical trials the available research on the use of topically applied capsaicin in the treatment of several types of chronic pain and found that capsaicin helped reduce low back pain without causing notable side effects.
Capsaicin cream, also called capsicum cream, is available in drug stores, health food stores, and online. A typical dosage is 0.025% capsaicin cream applied four times a day.
The most common side effect is a stinging or burning sensation in the area. If possible, wear disposable gloves (available at drugstores) before applying the cream. Be careful not to touch the eye area or open skin. A tube or jar of capsaicin cream typically costs between $8 and $25.
Vitamin D
A growing body of research suggests a link between chronic pain that doesn't respond to treatment and vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D supplements may lead to clinical improvement in pain symptoms among people with low initial concentrations of vitamin D.
An essential nutrient available in certain foods (such as fortified milk and fish with small bones), vitamin D is produced naturally by the body during exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Since it's difficult to obtain your recommended daily intake of D solely through dietary sources and sun exposure, many medical experts recommend increasing your vitamin D levels by taking a dietary supplement.
Anti-Inflammatory Herbs
Since inflammation is thought to play a role in the development of back pain, certain herbs thought to have anti-inflammatory effects may be useful for back pain relief.
White willow bark, for instance, may have pain-relieving properties similar to aspirin. Salicin, a compound found in white willow bark, is converted in the body to salicylic acid, just as aspirin is. Salicylic acid is believed to be the active compound that relieves pain and inflammation.
Another herb sometimes used in the treatment of back pain is devil's claw. Devil's claw contains harpagosides, which are chemical compounds found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Magnesium
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, it helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and preserves bones strength. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
Research shows that certain forms of magnesium can be effective for pain relief and muscle relaxation, as well as nerve pain.
Many people in our society are magnesium deficient, so it may be a good idea to supplement. Magnesium glycinate is known to be a highly bioavailable form. Magnesium citrate can be used by those who tend toward constipation, as it has an additional effect of loosening the bowels.
Yoga
Yoga creates balance in the body through various poses that develop flexibility and strength. There's some evidence that taking up a yoga practice may help relieve back pain.
A 2011 study published in Clinical Rheumatology reviewed seven clinical trials that tested the effects of yoga in patients in with low back pain. Five of the trials suggested that yoga leads to a significantly greater reduction in low back pain than usual care, education, or conventional therapeutic exercises.
Vitamin B12
Pain, as well as numbness and tingling, irritability, mild memory impairment, and depression, can be symptoms of B12 deficiency. Risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency are:
Pernicious anemiaUse of certain medications (including stomach acid-blocking medications)Inadequate intake of meat or dairy productsInfection (such as small intestine bacterial overgrowth, parasites)Digestive diseases (including celiac disease and Crohn's disease)
Vitamin B12 muscle injections are the standard treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency. Studies have found that vitamin B12 sublingual tablets (placed under the tongue for absorption) and nasal gel are also effective.
Alexander Technique
Alexander Technique is a type of therapy that teaches people to improve their posture and eliminate bad habits such as slouching, which can lead to pain, muscle tension, and decreased mobility.
There is strong scientific support for the effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons in the treatment of chronic back pain, according to a research review published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice in 2012.
The review included one well-designed, well-conducted clinical trial demonstrating that Alexander Technique lessons led to significant long-term reductions in back pain and incapacity caused by chronic back pain.
These results were broadly supported by a smaller, earlier clinical trial testing the use of Alexander Technique lessons in the treatment of chronic back pain.
You can learn Alexander technique in private sessions or group classes. A typical session lasts about 45 minutes. During that time, the instructor notes the way you carry yourself and coaches you with verbal instruction and gentle touch.
Hypnotherapy
Also referred to as "hypnosis," hypnotherapy is a mind-body technique that involves entering a trance-like state of deep relaxation and concentration.
When undergoing hypnotherapy, patients are thought to be more open to suggestion. As such, hypnotherapy is often used to effect change in behaviors thought to contribute to health problems (including chronic pain).
Preliminary research suggests that hypnotherapy may be of some use in the treatment of low back pain.
A pilot study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that a four-session hypnosis program (combined with a psychological education program) significantly reduced pain intensity and led to improvements in mood among patients with chronic low back pain.
Balneotherapy
One of the oldest therapies for pain relief, balneotherapy is a form of hydrotherapy that involves bathing in mineral water or warm water.
For a 2006 report published in Rheumatology, investigators analyzed the available research on the use of balneotherapy in treatment of low back pain. Looking at five clinical trials, the report's authors found "encouraging evidence" suggesting that balneotherapy may be effective for treating patients with low back pain. Noting that supporting data are scarce, the authors call for larger-scale trials on balneotherapy and low back pain.
Dead Sea salts and other sulfur-containing bath salts can be found in spas, health food stores, and online. However, people with heart conditions should not use balneotherapy unless under the supervision of their primary care provider.
Meditation
An ancient mind-body practice, meditation has been found to increase pain tolerance and promote management of chronic pain in a number of small studies. I
n addition, a number of preliminary studies have focused specifically on the use of meditation in the management of low back pain.
A 2008 study published in Pain found that an eight-week meditation program led to an improvement of pain acceptance and physical function in patients with chronic low back pain.
The study included 37 older adults, with members meditating an average of 4.3 days a week for an average of 31.6 minutes a day.
Although it's not known how meditation might help relieve pain, it's thought that the practice's ability to induce physical and mental relaxation may help keep chronic stress from aggravating chronic pain conditions.
One of the most commonly practiced and well-studied forms of meditation is mindfulness meditation.
Tai Chi
Tai chi is an ancient martial art that involves slow, graceful movements and incorporates meditation and deep breathing. Although research on the use of tai chi in the treatment of back pain is somewhat limited, there's some evidence that practicing tai chi may help alleviate back pain to some degree.
A 2011 study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that a 10-week tai chi program reduced pain and improved functioning in people with long-term low back pain symptoms.
The study involved 160 adults with chronic low back pain, half of whom participated in 40-minute-long tai chi sessions 18 times over the 10-week period.
