When your back is hurting you probably would consider just about anything to get better, as long as it’s safe. Here are some non-traditional back pain treatments that you can try. They have a lack of side effects and are pretty safe. They are not proven and they are not well studied but ultimately you can be the judge of how well they work on you.
- Over the counter herbal remedies are available at your local pharmacy. These include capsaicin-made from chile pepper, ginger, turmeric, holy basil and arnica made from a European flower. Over the counter remedies are felt by some sources to be pain relievers and anti-inflammatory, depending on the substance. Some may have serious side effects though. For example, Thunder God Vine (Tripterygium Wilfordii) can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches, thinning of bones and other serious side effects.
- There are some dietary supplements that are purported to help relieve back pain. Fish oil is among the best studied and has been accepted by mainstream medicine as having some very beneficial effects. Other supplements include Aquamin (made from red seaweed) SAM-e (an amino acid) and Glucosamine (found in cartilage).
- Acupuncture has been studied and scientists feel that the therapeutic benefit may be secondary to a placebo effect. In other words, it works because you think it works. Does it really matter as long as you feel better?
- Yoga originated in India 5,000 years ago. Yoga will help you build strength and flexibility. Spirituality is an important part of Yoga, through meditation. While core strengthening is important to Yoga it is not the entire focus.
- Pilates is a much younger practice than Yoga. Pilates focuses on strengthening the core and aligning the spine. The exercises are regimented and focused on these goals.
