Complementary Treatments To Prevent and Ease Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is one of the commonest health problems affecting people under the age of 50. Millions of working hours are lost each year in the UK due to back pain, and the problem does not seem to be improving. Some estimates claim that up to eight out of 10 people in the country experience back pain bad enough to cause them to take time off work.

Although we are meant to be able to walk upright, nature for some unknown reason has not given us a strong back. A sudden twist to one side, lifting of heavy weight, or a bad sitting posture can damage your back, giving you days or weeks of pain and discomfort (Clin Biomech 2002;17(5): 353-60). The problem is that some people who suffer one episode of back pain are much more likely to continue having back pain on and off throughout their lives.

Back pain can be related to other medical conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis

The most common type of back pain is what is called in medical circles mechanical low back pain. This means that the back is basically healthy but it is temporarily damaged due to injury or bad lifting habits.

Other more serious causes of back pain include:

Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones of the spine, with increased likelihood of collapse of the spine and loss of height).

Arthritis, including the rheumatoid variety, a progressive chronic condition.

Cancer of the spine, which may originate in other parts of the body, commonly the prostate or breast.

Immune conditions like ankylosing spondylitis (another chronic and progressive condition, which is due to a defective immune system, leading to irreversible stiffening of the back).

Obviously, if the cause of the back pain is due to a medical condition, this condition will need to be treated first by experienced doctors. But in most cases, the pain is simply due to mechanical back pain, which is treated by conventional doctors with common painkillers, anti-inflammatory medication and physiotherapy.

The problem with conventional medication is that many painkillers such as codeine can cause constipation, light-headedness and drowsiness, whereas anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac may cause indigestion, nausea and even bleeding from the stomach when taken regularly.

Complementary treatments for back pain can help improve stiffness and painful movements

It is important to realise that the best way to deal with a painful back is prevention. There is no point taking tablets and using supplements if you continue lifting heavy weight or if you maintain a bad posture. If you must lift something heavy, you need to keep your back straight and use your knees to bend up or down. You need to be aware that forgetting this rule even once, may be the beginning of weeks or months of unrelenting back pain.

The following treatments can be used alone or in combination for best results (Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2005;84(3 Suppl): S29-41).

General Massage, yoga, hydrotherapy and relaxation can all be very effective at relieving the mental tension and stress associated with back pain, while also physically relaxing the muscles around the injured part of the spine. This improves stiffness and painful movements.

Chiropractic Chiropractic treatment aims to realign the spine and relax the tensed muscles around it. Manipulation of the spine must only be
attempted by professional and knowledgeable practitioners.

Acupuncture This is one of the most commonly used complementary therapies and it is quite effective in many patients. However, it may be necessary to also have an additional type of treatment, such as herbal supplements or hydrotherapy.

Herbals and Homeopathy There are several herbal treatments aimed at both relieving the pain and relaxing the muscles around the spine. Examples are lobelia extracts used on their own or in combination with myrrh. Tincture of lobelia can be used twice a day (five to 10 drops), together with 10 drops of myrrh rubbed directly on to the painful back. Commonly-used homeopathic remedies are arnica cream or oil, and bellis perennis applied on to the painful back two or three times a day. While you shouldnt experience any problems applying these oils directly to your skin, rarely the side-effect of a mild rash may occur.

In an experiment carried out by Indian scientists from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, plant remedies such as myrrh, cats claw, boswellia, turmeric, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, and mint, were reported as having some benefit against back pain and stiffness. (Phytother Res 2004;18(5): 343-57).

This is because these plant remedies contain natural anti-inflammatory chemicals such as terpenes, curcuminoids, and alkaloids, which are very effective at reducing toxic inflammatory chemicals that are produced during joint injury. These plant remedies are available in homeopathic preparation or creams.

Devils Claw can help block inflammation and reduce the pain of a bad back

Devils claw, or cats claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is an effective plant remedy used by South African traditional healers. It contains the active ingredients harpagoside and harpagide which help block inflammation and reduce pain.

German researchers gave 480 mg of devils claw extracts, twice a day for four weeks, to 31 people with mild to moderate mechanical back pain. This group was compared to another group of 32 people who were only treated with a dummy treatment (placebo). At the end of the treatment period, those who received the active treatment with devils claw reported a significant improvement of their back pain and stiffness compared to the placebo group. No side-effects were reported.

The scientists concluded: A highly significant clinical efficacy was achieved with the devils claw extract after four weeks treatment. It may be concluded that treatment with the extract may be expected to have a significant influence on pain and circulation of blood in the muscles, and bring about a reduction in muscle stiffness. (Schmerz 2001;15(1): 10-8).

Another German study found similar results. A total of 130 chronic back pain sufferers were treated twice a day with devils claw extract for eight weeks. Researchers found that patients reported a significant improvement of pain symptoms and mobility.  And like the previous study, no serious side-effects were reported (Phytother Res 2001;15(7): 621-4).

The dose is up to 500 mg twice a day.