How To Relieve The Symptoms Of Back Pain At Home

If you have sustained a back injury, you may be in a great deal of pain. And unfortunately, if you need surgery to correct the problem, you may be waiting awhile. It can take weeks or even months for insurance to approve the surgery and for a surgeon to fit you into their schedule. While there are many ways to treat back pain, not every method is right for every person. Some people may prefer to avoid medications, while others may struggle to find a ride to physical therapy. If you are dealing with back pain and want to try to relieve the pain on your own while you wait for back surgery, here are a few methods to try.

Devil's Claw Root

Devil's claw is a plant typically found in Africa. The root of the plant is dried out and then used as a natural herbal remedy. Some research has shown that this plant root can help minimize lower back pain and back pain caused by arthritis, but further testing is needed to substantiate this. However, this method has long been used to treat back pain in both Africa and Europe. If you are interested in using devil's claw root to alleviate your back pain symptoms, there are two different ways you can do so. The easiest way is to purchase a capsule form of devil's claw. You can typically find this at most natural food stores or vitamin stores. It is recommended that you start out slowing, taking 200 milligrams per day. You can increase your dosage until you find a level that relieves your symptoms. However, it is advised that you do not exceed more than 2500 milligrams per day.

The other way you can use devil's claw is by turning it into a tea and drinking it. Boil water on your stove, turn the stove off and then add four to five grams of dried devil's root to the water. Allow the root to steep in the water for several minutes before removing and discarding the root. Allow the water to cool until you can drink it. If desired, honey can be added to the mixture to add flavor.

Massage

Another way to relieve back pain at home is through massage. If you are experiencing tight muscles or pain in your back, ask your partner or older children to massage the area. This helps to loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow to the area, which can decrease pain and swelling. If your partner doesn't want to use their hands to massage your back, there is an inexpensive way to make a back massager that can help you. Simply stuff two or three tennis balls in a long sock and then tie a knot on the top of the sock. Have someone roll the ball-filled sock over your back for a quick and easy massage that should help to alleviate some of the back pain you are experiencing.

Go For a Walk

If you are in pain, you may just want to lie in bed. The last thing you may want to do is be active. However, getting up and going for a walk may actually help relieve some of the pain you are in. When you lie in bed, you may slow healing of your back. And lying in bed for three days or more can actually weaken your muscles, which can cause more pain. Walking or exercising also helps to release endorphins. Endorphins have been shown to block pain signals, which can reduce the pain you are experiencing. Lastly, when you are simply lying around, you may be focused on the pain. Getting up and walking can help take your mind off of the pain, which in turn, may psychologically decrease the level of pain you think you are experiencing.

Waiting for your back surgery to happen can be a frustrating time in your life. You know you have a condition that needs to be surgically corrected, but until that day comes, you may be in pain. While your doctor or back surgeon may be able to assist you with the pain, the options they provide may not always work well for you or fit in with your lifestyle. If you are experiencing pain and want to relieve the symptoms at home, try using devil's claw root, having someone massage the area or going for short but frequent walks. For more information, talk to someone at a location like Southwest Florida Neurosurgical Associates.