Many people experience back pain as the result of strenuous exercise, poor posture, a chronic condition, or an accumulation of physical stressors. Back pain can pose as an inconvenience to daily routine and can make favorite and necessary activities painful. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help or miss work. Back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Fortunately, there are several best approaches to managing your pain that you can achieve in the comfort of your own home.
Five Drug-Free Options to Treat Back Pain
Prep for Better Sleep
The quality of our sleep is highly influential to our physical wellbeing. When experiencing back pain, you may find it difficult to sleep. Back pain can enter an unfavorable cycle with sleep, in that poor sleep may lead to greater back pain and vice versa.
There are sleeping positions that are unfavorable to your spine’s alignment and can contribute to the pain. Try resting on your side with a pillow between your knees to alleviate back strain. If you are prone to sleeping on your back, replace your old mattress for one that is firm and flat.
Physical Therapy
Though bed rest was once prescribed for back pain, excess rest is now known to worsen your condition. You can avoid sedentary days by implementing physical therapy into your schedule.
Physical therapists utilize an arsenal of strength and stretching exercises to help their patients manage chronic and temporary pain or soreness. Typical physical therapy routines vary on a case-by-case basis to best suit a patient’s needs and goals.
Adjusting Posture
With more people working from home due to the pandemic, there is a high demand for at-home ergonomic spaces. Poor posture while working, reading, or watching TV can aggravate back pain.
Encourage good posture by equipping your workstations with tools that prompt a straightened back. You can place a pillow or rolled towel between your back and seat to help achieve better posture.
Stand smart. Don’t slouch. Maintain a neutral pelvic position. When standing for long periods, place one foot on a low footstool to take some of the load off the lower back. Alternate feet. Good posture can reduce the stress on back muscles.
Sit smart. Choose a seat with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base. Placing a pillow or rolled towel in the small of the back can maintain its normal curve. Keep knees and hips level. Change position frequently, at least every half-hour.
Fluctuate Between Heat and Ice
Heat and ice are popular options for temporarily relieving pain. Which of the two is better for you depends on whatever you prefer. It is recommended to try both, as each could be used for differing types of pain.
Heat is best for relaxing stiff or tight muscles, while ice helps reduce inflammation. Avoid utilizing heat or ice on areas that already have muscle-ache ointments applied to them.
Talk Therapy
Yes, talk therapy! It may seem off-putting for a physical ailment such as back pain but talk therapy is one of the best approaches to manage back pain. Talk therapy can help you process any understated emotions that back pain has burdened you with. Talking through life’s obstacles with a licensed professional can improve several facets of your wellbeing, both physical and mental.
Be Aware of Product Claims
Because back pain is common, many products promise prevention or relief. But there’s no good evidence that special shoes, shoe inserts, back supports or specially designed furniture can help. In addition, there doesn’t appear to be one type of mattress that’s best for people with back pain. It’s probably a matter of what feels most comfortable.
The post Best Approaches To Manage Back Pain appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternative medicines?
Alternative medicine refers to treatments other than those considered by mainstream medicine to be useful for treating disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicines, nutritional therapy, and energy healing techniques such as reiki.
Alternative medicine may also include practices that are not supported by scientific evidence but have been used with great success in clinical practice. Examples include meditation, hypnosis, yoga, aromatherapy, reflexology, flower essences, and many others.
How safe is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicines are safe because they are not harmful drugs but natural remedies for people who have been using them for centuries.
Many diseases have been treated with these herbs, including cancer, arthritis, chronic and severe pain, asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity (obesity), depression, anxiety stress, insomnia as well sexual dysfunction and infertility.
Holistic medicines are also used by millions of people around the world who suffer from various kinds of diseases. They include homeopathy. acupuncture. chiropractic care. herbal treatments. massage therapy. Yoga, meditation. biofeedback. Nutrition, counseling. Physical fitness. exercise. These therapies target the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Alternative methods are used by people with cancer.
Cancer patients often face many challenges as they attempt to overcome their illness. They may have lost all hope or feel helpless as there is nothing they can do. Some patients may feel nausea, pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, or other symptoms.
Additionally, most traditional treatments do not work against cancer cells. Patients with cancer should look into alternative treatments, such as complementary medicine. Research shows that nearly half of patients have used alternative medicine at least once in their treatment.
Cancer patients sometimes choose complementary medicine instead of chemotherapy because they think it will be easier to handle side effects. They might also prefer it for its lower cost.
Other reasons include the following:
Some patients believe that natural remedies can be used to prevent a repeat.
Many believe natural remedies can improve quality of life.
Others believe that natural remedies can reduce the risk of getting cancer again.
For those concerned about possible side effects of chemotherapy, natural remedies can be used as first-line therapy.
Why is holistic medicine so much better?
Holistic health care is about treating the whole person, not individual symptoms. This involves looking at the person’s feelings, food, lifestyle, stress levels, etc.
Holistic medicine treats patients as an integrated whole. Although it may sound easy, in practice this is difficult because doctors tend to focus only on the physical aspect of patients.
Complementary and Alternative Healthcare – Is it Evidence-based
The evidence base for complementary and alternative medicine is still evolving, but there are many reasons why people choose these therapies. They might have tried conventional therapies but were unsuccessful, or they might want to try alternative treatments because they feel it offers more benefits than the conventional ones. Alternative and complementary medicine may be an option. This is part of a holistic approach. Always check with your doctor to ensure that any complementary and/or alternative medicines you take are supported scientifically. If you aren’t sure if a particular treatment is safe or effective, consult your doctor. It can save you both time and money.
Which types of treatment should not be considered holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not the symptoms. Holistic medicine helps people recover from illness and promotes health.
Holistic medicine is a natural alternative to drugs and surgery.
Holistic medicine involves lifestyle changes such diet, exercise and yoga.
Holistic medicine is sometimes called integrative medicine. This refers to the way that holistic medicine integrates all aspects (physical, mental and spiritual) into one comprehensive care plan.
Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention and early diagnosis of disease and encourages healthy lifestyles.
Holistic doctors believe there is no one cause for every condition. Holistic doctors instead look at the whole person, including genetic factors and environmental influences, lifestyle choices, personal habits, and lifestyle choices.
Holistic practitioners focus more on the mind, emotions, and spirit than on the body alone.
Holistic physicians work closely with their patients to determine what will best meet their individual needs.
Who uses holistic medicine
Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not only specific symptoms. It is concerned with both the physical and mental aspects of well-being.
Holistic medicine encompasses acupuncture and massage therapy, chiropractic treatment as well as nutritional counseling, yoga and other complementary therapies.
People who practice holistic medicine include people with cancer, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis.
Statistics
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
cam.cancer.gov
liebertpub.com
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The Rise and Rise of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Sociological Perspective – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic Medicine – PubMed
How To
What are the products used in holistic medicine, and how do they differ?
This product can be described as “natural” without necessarily being organic. They may have been grown using natural fertilizers and pesticides, but they were also processed in ways that are less harmful to human health. For example, some herbs can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, so they may need to be prepared differently depending on their needs. Groceries sell more herbs than health food stores. The latter often contain higher levels of herbicides and fungicides.
The majority of herbal supplements are made from dried plants. Some prefer liquid forms of herbal supplements, as they tend to be more affordable. They are still safer, however. Liquid herbs can lose nutrients during processing. There’s no guarantee that the product will retain its original potency. Most herbal supplements are not subject to quality control before they are sold.
After cooking, herbs and spices can be added to foods. These condiments include ketchup and mustard, salad dressings, barbecue sauces, soup mixtures, and marinades.
Supplements are generally taken orally (by taking them by mouth). Most vitamins are available in tablet form. Other vitamins and minerals can be purchased in capsules.
Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted substances derived from plant, animal, mineral, or synthetic sources. They are meant to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms. They are “homeopathic” and do not have the same effect as regular medicines. They instead activate the body’s immune system and restore balance. Homeopathic remedies are considered safe and non-toxic. They are used extensively in Europe, Canada and Australia, New Zealand as well as South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles along specific meridians in your body. It is based in a traditional Chinese medical theory which says that life force flows through energy channels. The theory states that illness occurs when blockages occur in these channels. The stimulation of certain points along the Meridian lines with fine needles is thought to restore energy flow and allow the body to return to normal function.
Chiropractors manipulate the spine to correct misalignments of the bones. American doctor Daniel David Palmer developed this technique in 1895. He claimed he could diagnose illnesses and cure diseases by manipulating the vertebrae. His methods included spinal adjustments. Muscle tests. And percussion.
Chiropractic has been very popular in the last few decades. Many believe it works better than conventional medicine for back pain.
Massage therapy can be described as rubbing, tapping, tapping, or stroking muscle, joints, and other parts of the body. Massage is used to loosen tight muscles and relieve tension. Swedish massage, deep tissues, sports, reflexology, myofascialrelease, trigger point therapy and other methods are used by massage therapists.
Reflexology refers to alternative medicine that uses pressure to apply pressure to specific areas of your feet and hands using thumb pads and fingers. This method, according to reflexologists, stimulates the body’s natural healing ability.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants to relieve stress, improve wellbeing, and increase mood. Essential oils are also therapeutic because their chemical composition can benefit health conditions ranging from headache relief to arthritis treatment. Aromatherapy comes in many forms, including:
Craniosacral Therapist uses gentle touch and pressure to alleviate discomfort and pain. The skull is called Cranial, while the Latin word sacrum refers to the sacrum. Cranial sacral therapy combines both. This therapy involves the application of light pressure to different areas on the head, neck and shoulders. The therapist also moves her/his hands along the patient’s body.
Cupping therapy is performed by applying cups to the skin to create suction and draw out toxins. Cupping can be used to detoxify.
Dietary supplements are oral or topical products that contain vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA under the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of 1995. To be legal, a dietary supplements must meet two criteria. First, it must contain a “dietary ingredient,” meaning that it contains more than one percent of a vitamin, mineral, herb, or other botanical listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized As Safe List. Second, it must have been manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practices, meaning its ingredients were handled properly during production.
Electrotherapy uses electrical currents to stimulate nerves and muscles. The most common form of electrotherapy is transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS). Low-level electrical pulses can be delivered to the skin by TENS devices. These pulses activate receptors in the brain that block pain signals. There are also electromagnetic therapy options such as magnetic field therapy, interferential current therapy, and ultrasound therapy.
Energy healing is based upon the belief that all people have inherent healing abilities. Our thoughts, feelings and intentions can also affect our physical health. Modern practitioners accept that energy healing is possible, even though it has been practiced since ancient times. However, there are many layers to energy. Emotional energy is one layer. Another is called mental energy. Other energies include the physical, spiritual, chakras and vital, life force. Some believe that these energies are connected to the universe at large. Some claim to be able to heal others using only the power of their minds. But, there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of energy medicine.
Energy psychology is the study and application of human emotions to physiological functions. Sometimes, it’s considered an alternative therapy to psychotherapy. It focuses less upon past events and more on helping clients alter their present behavior. Energy psychology does not require any specific theoretical framework but draws from many disciplines, including cognitive behavioral therapy, transactional analysis, interpersonal psychoanalysis, attachment theory, and developmental psychology.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Dick Benson
Title: Best Approaches To Manage Back Pain
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/conditions/pain/best-approaches-to-manage-back-pain/
Published Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2023 20:42:35 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternative medicines?
Alternative medicine refers to treatments other than those considered by mainstream medicine to be useful for treating disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicines, nutritional therapy, and energy healing techniques such as reiki.
Alternative medicine may also include practices that are not supported by scientific evidence but have been used with great success in clinical practice. Examples include meditation, hypnosis, yoga, aromatherapy, reflexology, flower essences, and many others.
How safe is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicines are safe because they are not harmful drugs but natural remedies for people who have been using them for centuries.
Many diseases have been treated with these herbs, including cancer, arthritis, chronic and severe pain, asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity (obesity), depression, anxiety stress, insomnia as well sexual dysfunction and infertility.
Holistic medicines are also used by millions of people around the world who suffer from various kinds of diseases. They include homeopathy. acupuncture. chiropractic care. herbal treatments. massage therapy. Yoga, meditation. biofeedback. Nutrition, counseling. Physical fitness. exercise. These therapies target the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Alternative methods are used by people with cancer.
Cancer patients often face many challenges as they attempt to overcome their illness. They may have lost all hope or feel helpless as there is nothing they can do. Some patients may feel nausea, pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, or other symptoms.
Additionally, most traditional treatments do not work against cancer cells. Patients with cancer should look into alternative treatments, such as complementary medicine. Research shows that nearly half of patients have used alternative medicine at least once in their treatment.
Cancer patients sometimes choose complementary medicine instead of chemotherapy because they think it will be easier to handle side effects. They might also prefer it for its lower cost.
Other reasons include the following:
Some patients believe that natural remedies can be used to prevent a repeat.
Many believe natural remedies can improve quality of life.
Others believe that natural remedies can reduce the risk of getting cancer again.
For those concerned about possible side effects of chemotherapy, natural remedies can be used as first-line therapy.
Why is holistic medicine so much better?
Holistic health care is about treating the whole person, not individual symptoms. This involves looking at the person’s feelings, food, lifestyle, stress levels, etc.
Holistic medicine treats patients as an integrated whole. Although it may sound easy, in practice this is difficult because doctors tend to focus only on the physical aspect of patients.
Complementary and Alternative Healthcare – Is it Evidence-based
The evidence base for complementary and alternative medicine is still evolving, but there are many reasons why people choose these therapies. They might have tried conventional therapies but were unsuccessful, or they might want to try alternative treatments because they feel it offers more benefits than the conventional ones. Alternative and complementary medicine may be an option. This is part of a holistic approach. Always check with your doctor to ensure that any complementary and/or alternative medicines you take are supported scientifically. If you aren’t sure if a particular treatment is safe or effective, consult your doctor. It can save you both time and money.
Which types of treatment should not be considered holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not the symptoms. Holistic medicine helps people recover from illness and promotes health.
Holistic medicine is a natural alternative to drugs and surgery.
Holistic medicine involves lifestyle changes such diet, exercise and yoga.
Holistic medicine is sometimes called integrative medicine. This refers to the way that holistic medicine integrates all aspects (physical, mental and spiritual) into one comprehensive care plan.
Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention and early diagnosis of disease and encourages healthy lifestyles.
Holistic doctors believe there is no one cause for every condition. Holistic doctors instead look at the whole person, including genetic factors and environmental influences, lifestyle choices, personal habits, and lifestyle choices.
Holistic practitioners focus more on the mind, emotions, and spirit than on the body alone.
Holistic physicians work closely with their patients to determine what will best meet their individual needs.
Who uses holistic medicine
Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not only specific symptoms. It is concerned with both the physical and mental aspects of well-being.
Holistic medicine encompasses acupuncture and massage therapy, chiropractic treatment as well as nutritional counseling, yoga and other complementary therapies.
People who practice holistic medicine include people with cancer, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis.
Statistics
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
cam.cancer.gov
liebertpub.com
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The Rise and Rise of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Sociological Perspective – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic Medicine – PubMed
How To
What are the products used in holistic medicine, and how do they differ?
This product can be described as “natural” without necessarily being organic. They may have been grown using natural fertilizers and pesticides, but they were also processed in ways that are less harmful to human health. For example, some herbs can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, so they may need to be prepared differently depending on their needs. Groceries sell more herbs than health food stores. The latter often contain higher levels of herbicides and fungicides.
The majority of herbal supplements are made from dried plants. Some prefer liquid forms of herbal supplements, as they tend to be more affordable. They are still safer, however. Liquid herbs can lose nutrients during processing. There’s no guarantee that the product will retain its original potency. Most herbal supplements are not subject to quality control before they are sold.
After cooking, herbs and spices can be added to foods. These condiments include ketchup and mustard, salad dressings, barbecue sauces, soup mixtures, and marinades.
Supplements are generally taken orally (by taking them by mouth). Most vitamins are available in tablet form. Other vitamins and minerals can be purchased in capsules.
Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted substances derived from plant, animal, mineral, or synthetic sources. They are meant to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms. They are “homeopathic” and do not have the same effect as regular medicines. They instead activate the body’s immune system and restore balance. Homeopathic remedies are considered safe and non-toxic. They are used extensively in Europe, Canada and Australia, New Zealand as well as South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles along specific meridians in your body. It is based in a traditional Chinese medical theory which says that life force flows through energy channels. The theory states that illness occurs when blockages occur in these channels. The stimulation of certain points along the Meridian lines with fine needles is thought to restore energy flow and allow the body to return to normal function.
Chiropractors manipulate the spine to correct misalignments of the bones. American doctor Daniel David Palmer developed this technique in 1895. He claimed he could diagnose illnesses and cure diseases by manipulating the vertebrae. His methods included spinal adjustments. Muscle tests. And percussion.
Chiropractic has been very popular in the last few decades. Many believe it works better than conventional medicine for back pain.
Massage therapy can be described as rubbing, tapping, tapping, or stroking muscle, joints, and other parts of the body. Massage is used to loosen tight muscles and relieve tension. Swedish massage, deep tissues, sports, reflexology, myofascialrelease, trigger point therapy and other methods are used by massage therapists.
Reflexology refers to alternative medicine that uses pressure to apply pressure to specific areas of your feet and hands using thumb pads and fingers. This method, according to reflexologists, stimulates the body’s natural healing ability.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants to relieve stress, improve wellbeing, and increase mood. Essential oils are also therapeutic because their chemical composition can benefit health conditions ranging from headache relief to arthritis treatment. Aromatherapy comes in many forms, including:
Craniosacral Therapist uses gentle touch and pressure to alleviate discomfort and pain. The skull is called Cranial, while the Latin word sacrum refers to the sacrum. Cranial sacral therapy combines both. This therapy involves the application of light pressure to different areas on the head, neck and shoulders. The therapist also moves her/his hands along the patient’s body.
Cupping therapy is performed by applying cups to the skin to create suction and draw out toxins. Cupping can be used to detoxify.
Dietary supplements are oral or topical products that contain vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA under the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of 1995. To be legal, a dietary supplements must meet two criteria. First, it must contain a “dietary ingredient,” meaning that it contains more than one percent of a vitamin, mineral, herb, or other botanical listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized As Safe List. Second, it must have been manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practices, meaning its ingredients were handled properly during production.
Electrotherapy uses electrical currents to stimulate nerves and muscles. The most common form of electrotherapy is transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS). Low-level electrical pulses can be delivered to the skin by TENS devices. These pulses activate receptors in the brain that block pain signals. There are also electromagnetic therapy options such as magnetic field therapy, interferential current therapy, and ultrasound therapy.
Energy healing is based upon the belief that all people have inherent healing abilities. Our thoughts, feelings and intentions can also affect our physical health. Modern practitioners accept that energy healing is possible, even though it has been practiced since ancient times. However, there are many layers to energy. Emotional energy is one layer. Another is called mental energy. Other energies include the physical, spiritual, chakras and vital, life force. Some believe that these energies are connected to the universe at large. Some claim to be able to heal others using only the power of their minds. But, there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of energy medicine.
Energy psychology is the study and application of human emotions to physiological functions. Sometimes, it’s considered an alternative therapy to psychotherapy. It focuses less upon past events and more on helping clients alter their present behavior. Energy psychology does not require any specific theoretical framework but draws from many disciplines, including cognitive behavioral therapy, transactional analysis, interpersonal psychoanalysis, attachment theory, and developmental psychology.
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