Back pains are the most common cause of discomfort especially for people whose line of work involves prolonged sitting or standing.  At one time in your life, you may have probably groaned because of your aching back, sad to say that you are not alone. The National Institute for Health reports that 8 out of 10 people experience back pain in a regular basis. Because of this, back pains have prompted many people to visit their doctors and seek for medical help.

Doctors, however, are quick to prescribe pain relievers. Some people forego a visit to the doctor because they instead opt to self-medicate through over-the-counter medications that are said to give relief from pain. Practices such as these are really not necessary, considering that medications in itself contain ingredients that may produce side effects and adverse consequences.  There are a lot of easier ways for you to deal with back pain – and these are oftentimes less expensive, more safe and all-natural.

Common Causes of Back Pain

The first step to knowing the appropriate back pain treatment is to figure out what triggered the pain in the first place.  There can be a variety of factors that can cause back pain, and it is important that you tailor-fit your type of treatment to the root cause of the problem. 

• A sprain in the ligament or strain in the muscle can cause excruciating back pain. These injuries can be caused by poor posture, being overweight or improper lifting of heavy objects. The most common forms of treatment for problems such as these include the application of hot moist packs and gentle exercises.
• Back pain may also be associated with the development of Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis and Herniated Disks. Osteoarthritis is a condition which erodes the disks that normally serve as cushions between your vertebrae. Osteoporosis, on one hand, causes one’s bones to become brittle, making the bones more susceptible to fracture. Furthermore, as one continues to age, normal wear and tear may cause the disks in the vertebra to rupture or herniate. As a result, the herniated disk can impinge on nerves that are coming out from the spinal cord – and this produces pain. For conditions such as these, it is important that you seek the help of medical professionals such as Physical Therapists and Orthopedic doctors.  
• Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that is commonly associated with painful ligaments, tendons and muscles, can be treated with acupuncture – a form of ancient medicine that makes use of needles. These needles are inserted and manipulated inside the body to help relieve pain.

Natural Ways to Relieve Back Pain

Aside from the back pain treatment methods mentioned, there are also essential oils that one can utilize for back pain relief.  Also utilized as a form of aromatherapy, these oils contain medicinal properties which affects, not only the physical aspect of the person, but the mental aspect as well. The healing potential of these essential oils can be best achieved when they are used in massaging the back.

Massage has long been known to promote a sense of relaxation in the muscles, thereby decreasing the muscle spasms in the back. It also helps improve blood circulation, relieve tightness and pains. The aroma of the oils helps calm the mind and the spirit.  The following are essential oils that can be used for back pain relief:

Chamomile Oil

Chamomile has been considered as a perennial herb because of its healing properties. Extracted from the chamomile flower, the oils are non-irritant and non-toxic.  The oil helps relieve pain and control spasm of the muscles. Other therapeutic properties of chamomile oil are: bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic and analgesic.

Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil is popular for its uses in medicines, cosmetics and perfumes.  In fact, it has been used since antiquity.  Frankincense possesses anti-inflammatory and sedative properties which can be helpful in relieving back pain. Not only that, its oil has been used as a form of aromatherapy in the treatment of conditions such as syphilis, rheumatism, respiratory infections, UTI, and skin diseases.  Today, Frankincense is incorporated in the making of cosmetics because of its ability to reduce wrinkles and fine lines in the skin.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is often called as the world’s oldest herb and has been used for its medicinal properties since time immemorial. Its cooling effect provides a soothing effect which is helpful in cases such as back pain.  It also helps relieve muscle soreness.  Aside from these, peppermint oil has been used in the management of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, headache, halitosis (bad breath) and indigestion. It also cares for the skin and the hair. Additionally, peppermint oil helps promote blood circulation and helps boost the function of the immune system.

Ginger Oil

The essential oil of ginger has been widely used in traditional Arabic, Chinese and Western medicine because of its medicinal properties. It helps relieve back pain and provides a person with more mobility. In order to create a relaxing oil for massage, simply create a mixture of the following ingredients:

• 4 drops of ginger oil
• 4 drops of cardamom
• 4 drops of wintergreen
• 1 tablespoon of sweet oil

Rosemary Oil

One of the most popular essential oils there is, Rosemary oil is known for its antispasmodic and analgesic properties. It helps relieve muscle spasms thereby contributing to the reduction of pain.  Massaging the painful part with Rosemary oil can work wonders. Aside from this, the oil has been used for other conditions, the examples of which are: respiratory problems, arthritis, and indigestion. Caring for your skin, mouth and hair should also involve the use of Rosemary oil. There are also unclaimed benefits associated with the use of this oil, and these conditions include kidney stones, peptic ulcer and menstrual cramps.

Lavender Oil

This oil promotes relaxation, prevents inflammation and stops muscle spasm. It is also used for stress-relief. Stress can cause unnecessary tensions inside the body which can actually contribute to the worsening of the pain. Lavender essential is beneficial for people who are suffering from post-surgical pain, stress, anxiety, hair loss (alopecia) and insomnia.

Sources
nlm.nih.gov
mayoclinic.com
naturalhealthontheweb.com
naturalnews.com
http://www.frankincense-oil.com/
organicfacts.net
holisticaroma.co.uk
organicfacts.net
umm.edu