Do simple tasks like bending over or just reaching out with your arm put you in a world of hurt?

Backaches have become a common condition, thanks to the desk-chair culture of nowadays. Hunching over a desk all day can make your entire body achy and even wreak havoc on your digestive system.

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Common as it may be, back trouble is not something to be trifled with. Pain and stiffness due to a backache can not only affect your productivity but also make your day-to-day life quite difficult.

Whether you’ve just pulled a muscle during a heavy workout, had an exhausting day or if you’ve been dealing with backache for as long as you can remember, these safe and effective home remedies can help you get rid of back pain once and for all.

Natural Treatment for Back Pain Relief

If you have an injury-related backache, consult your doctor if the remedies don’t provide relief, and the pain persists for more than a few days.

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Here are eight simple home remedies to help you get rid of back pain.

Method 1: Hot and Cold Compresses

Depending on the circumstances, you can use a hot or cold compress to relieve pain. (1)

Hot compress can prove effective in easing muscle tension and improve muscle function if you’re suffering from stiffness. Heat therapy can reduce muscle spasms and provide immense relief in fatigue-induced back pains.

A cold compress is best used in the first 24 to 48 hours of back pain due to an injury. Also, cold rather than hot compresses should be used in certain cases, such as if the skin is broken, bruised or swollen.

Patients with heart disease, diabetes or dermatitis should also refrain from using hot compresses, or do so only after consulting your doctor.

#Hot Compress

When applying heat therapy, make sure that the hot compress can maintain its heat at the appropriate temperature so that the heat can penetrate deep into the muscles. The compress should never be too hot, which will only cause discomfort.

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You can opt for dry heat or moist heat, according to your preference.

Dry heat draws the moisture out of the body and can leave your skin dry, but it may be more convenient to use. Moist heat, on the other hand, is considered the preferred option, as moisture allows the heat to better penetrate into the muscles.

Single-Step Treatment: Apply a hot compress on your achy back

apply a hot compress

  • Heat a microwavable rice bag for about 2 minutes in a microwave. Test the temperature against your skin before using it on your aching back.
  • Apply the rice bag as a hot compress for about 20 minutes to get relief from your backache.

While there is a variety of DIY heating pads, rice bags provide moist heat with the added benefit of being convenient to use on the go.

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Heat therapy should provide speedy relief in back pains with just one application. Repeat 2 to 3 times for 2 days if the pain persists.

#Cold Compress

A cold compress constricts the blood vessels in the area to bring down any swelling. It reduces inflammation and also acts as a local anesthetic, which ultimately eases the pain. When applied correctly, a cold compress also decreases tissue damage.

If your backache is due to an injury, use cold compresses during the first 24 to 48 hours for maximum benefits.

Note: Always keep a cloth or thin towel as a buffer between ice and your skin. Exposing bare skin to ice can cause cold burns.
Single-Step Treatment: Apply a cold compress to relieve backache

apply a cold compress

  • Wrap some ice cubes in a towel.
  • Hold or place the ice pack on your aching back for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Give it a rest for 1 minute, then apply the ice pack again. Continue for about 30 minutes.

Apply cold compress 3 to 4 times throughout the day after the injury. Repeat the next day if required. Discontinue the use of cold compress after 48 hours from the injury.

Method 2: Magnesium Oil or Epsom Salt

If you’ve been dealing with a persistent backache that’s not a result of an injury and you can’t pinpoint the cause in your diet or lifestyle, magnesium deficiency may be to blame.

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Magnesium is essential for numerous biological functions in the body. When it comes to muscle function, magnesium and calcium work hand in hand. In fact, a magnesium deficiency can also give rise to a calcium deficiency. (4)

Magnesium deficiency is often marked by fatigue and muscle pain throughout the body. If your backache is accompanied by muscle twitching, numbness, spasms and headaches, magnesium deficiency is likely the cause of your persistent pain.

While you can include more nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, and leafy greens in your diet to boost your magnesium level, topical application can help your body directly absorb the magnesium it needs.

Magnesium oil (made with magnesium chloride flakes) and Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) are two easy means for topical supplementation of magnesium in the body.

Single-Step Treatment: Spray magnesium oil on your back or soak in an Epsom salt bath daily

spray magnesium oil on your back or soak in Epsom salt bath

  • Spray magnesium oil on your back and other areas prone to aches each day after taking a shower.
  • Let the magnesium oil dry completely before putting on your clothes.
  • You can also add Epsom salt to warm bathwater and enjoy a 20-minute soak every night.

Using this remedy for just 2 days will result in miraculous improvement. Continue with this remedy daily until the pain in your back goes away entirely. Thereafter, you can do it once a week to supply your body with the required magnesium.

Method 3: Garlic Oil

Garlic is a very good remedy for an inflammation-induced backache, as it has high selenium content. Garlic also contains the phytochemical capsaicin that has analgesic properties, making garlic a natural painkiller.

If you’re skittish about consuming garlic and having to deal with garlic breath, you can use garlic oil as a topical treatment. (5)

Single-Step Treatment: Eat raw garlic cloves or apply garlic oil on your back

eat garlic or apply garlic oil

  • Eating 2 or 3 raw garlic cloves daily is a very effective way to get relief from backache. You can just swallow the cloves whole or add them to salads and dips.
  • For topical use, simply massage some garlic oil over the affected area of your back. For best results, warm up the oil first. Ask a family member or friend to help apply the oil to hard-to-reach areas.
  • Let the garlic oil stay on the skin for at least a few hours for best results. Wear an old shirt after the massage to protect your clothes from oil stains.

Repeat the massage twice a day for a couple or more days to get relief in backache.

Method 4: Exercise

Including mild exercise in your lifestyle will not only treat your backache but also strengthen your muscles to prevent fatigue-related backaches in the future. If your backache stems from long hours sitting at a computer, try out these three simple exercises. (2)

#Longitudinal Foam Roll

This is the perfect exercise to counter the effects of a desk-chair lifestyle. This gentle and pain-free exercise is great for lower back pain and also helps build upper body strength. You can also do it after a workout to calm your body. Practice deep, diaphragmatic breathing while doing this exercise.

longitudnal foam roll

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  • Place the foam roll on the floor.
  • Lie down, resting the length of your back against the foam roll. Both the base of your spine at the hip and your head should be supported by the foam roll.
  • Train your eyes straight up at the ceiling.
  • Lift up your arms, perpendicular to your torso and with your palms facing each other.
  • Taking a deep breath, keep your arms straight and move them down to the floor above your head, then exhale.

Do this for 5 to 10 minutes daily to get rid of chronic backache.

#Elevated Hip Raise

This simple exercise can help with a backache, especially lower back pain. You can do it using a bench or an immobile box or chair.

elevated hip raise

  • Lie down on your back, placing your feet on a bench, a box, or just a stack of folded towels. Face the ceiling and keep your arms by your side.
  • Pressing your feet on the bench, raise your hips off the ground. Use your arms as leverage.
  • Hold the position for 5 seconds, then revert to the starting position.
  • Wait 10 seconds, then lift your hips again.

Do this exercise for 5 minutes daily to alleviate chronic back pain.

#Knee-to-Chest Stretch

Another simple exercise that you can do to ease your backache is the knee-to-chest stretch. This stretch will align your pelvis and also help stretch your lower back muscles as well as your glutes.

knee to chest stretch

  • Lie down on your back with your toes pointing toward the ceiling.
  • Gently bend your left knee and bring it toward your chest.
  • Clasp your arms around your thigh, knee or shin and slowly pull it further up, so that your thigh is flush against your chest.
  • Hold for 15 to 20 seconds, then revert to the starting position.
  • For beginners, repeat this activity twice with each leg. You may do it 4 or 5 times for each leg when your endurance builds.

Method 5: Ginger

Ginger is a safe and effective natural remedy for backache sufferers. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation and thereby alleviate the pain. It also improves circulation and acts as a natural muscle relaxant and analgesic. For similar reasons, ginger also provides relief from menstrual cramps.

Those who suffer from persistent backaches should include gingerroot in their diet. Another way to take ginger to treat a backache is to drink simple ginger tea with honey. Honey lends its anti-inflammatory and healing properties as well as adds flavor to the tea.

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to make ginger tea

  • Raw ginger, sliced (anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties) – 1 to 2 inches
  • Honey (healing properties) – 1 to 2 teaspoons
  • Water – 1¼ cups

Step 1. Boil ginger in water and strain

boil water and ginger slices in a pan

  • Pour 1¼ cups of water into a pan placed over heat.
  • Put 1 to 2 inches of sliced ginger in the water.
  • Bring the water to a boil and let the ginger pieces simmer for about 2 minutes.
  • Take the pan off the heat and strain the ginger tea.

Step 2. Stir in honey and drink the ginger tea to relieve a backache

stir in honey and drink

  • Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey to the ginger tea.
  • Stir it well to dissolve the honey.

Sip on this ginger tea 2 or 3 times daily and get noticeable relief from back pains in 1 day.

final ginger tea

Method 6: Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is quite the panacea for a host of health problems, including backaches. The high levels of lauric acid in coconut oil are responsible for its anti-inflammatory benefits.

Single-Step Treatment: Massage coconut oil on your aching back

massage coconut oil on aching back

  • Massaging your back with warm coconut oil can provide pain relief within minutes. For best results, make sure that the coconut oil is unrefined, organic and cold-pressed.
  • Optionally, you can infuse the coconut oil with medical-grade camphor to boost its efficacy.

Method 7: DMSO Liquid or Gel

If you suffer from chronic back pain, DMSO can come to your rescue. DMSO, or dimethyl sulfoxide, is available as a clear liquid that has a slightly oily texture or in gel form. It can be help you get rid of back pain resulting from an injury as well as fatigue.

DMSO absorbs into the skin when applied topically and reduces swelling, inflammation and pain. For chronic backaches, you may experience a significant reduction in stiffness and pain as well as improvement in mobility with every application.

Note: DMSO should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, or people suffering from diabetes, asthma, or liver and kidney conditions. Also, DMSO can increase the effect of medicines, which may lead to serious health concerns. Consult your doctor if you’re on medications like blood thinners, steroids or sedatives.

Single-Step Treatment: Massage DMSO on your aching back

use DMSO gel

  • Wash your hands and clean the skin of the achy area on your back. DMSO increases the absorbency of the skin, so it’s best to start with clean skin.
  • Apply 1 or 2 teaspoons of 70% DMSO liquid or gel on the aching area.
  • Gently massage the area to help the DMSO be completely absorbed into the skin and work its magic.

Reapply twice a day. You will experience maximum pain relief within 1 to 2 days.

Method 8: Turmeric Milk

Turmeric is another herbal panacea that can help ease your backache. It fights inflammation on a cellular level, making it especially beneficial for arthritis-related back pain. (3)

Turmeric or golden milk has a long-standing history of use in the Indian subcontinent as a natural analgesic. While we used dairy milk in this example, you can also use dairy-free milk like coconut milk or any nut milk.

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to make turmeric milk

  • Turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory properties) – 1 teaspoon
  • Milk – 1 cup

Step 1. Put milk and turmeric powder into a pan

put milk and turmeric powder into a pan

  • Pour 1 cup of milk into a pan.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to the milk.

Step 2. Bring it to a boil, pour and drink it

bring to a boil, pour and drink

  • Turn the heat on and bring the milk to a boil.
  • Turn off the heat and pour the turmeric milk into a glass.

Drink this turmeric milk 30 minutes before bedtime daily to get rid of back pain within a few days.

final turmeric milk

Tips for back pain relief

  • For a cold compress, you can also use a bag of frozen peas or a gel ice pack.
  • Raw garlic paste can be used instead of garlic oil as a topical treatment for back pain.
  • To enhance the flavor of the turmeric milk and the efficacy of the remedy, you can add a little ginger and honey.

Resources:

  1. Dehghan M, Farahbod F. The efficacy of thermotherapy and cryotherapy on pain relief in patients with acute low back pain, a clinical trial study. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4225921/. Published September 2014.
  2. Fleckenstein J, Wilke J, Vogt L, Banzer W. Preventive and Regenerative Foam Rolling are Equally Effective in Reducing Fatigue-Related Impairments of Muscle Function following Exercise. Journal of sports science & medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29238246. Published December 1, 2017.
  3. Sanivarapu R, Vallabhaneni V, Verma V. The Potential of Curcumin in Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury. Neurology research international. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4889828/. Published 2016.
  4. Gröber U, Schmidt J, Kisters K. Magnesium in Prevention and Therapy. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586582/. Published September 23, 2015.
  5. Meamarbashi A. Herbs and natural supplements in the prevention and treatment of delayed-onset muscle soreness. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5329173/. Published 2017.

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