Whether you are sitting all day completing your tasks at your desk job or enjoying life after retiring from spending so much time working in your chosen profession, low back pain is a universal problem that we complain about every once in a while, especially as we grow older. Back pain is actually a very common cause why people visit the emergency department!₂ The reasons behind your back pain are vast, ranging from acute, insidious causes to fractures or unresolved trauma that affected the structures in your back. Identifying the root cause of your low back pain and discovering natural, holistic options that will address your problem allows you to experience back pain-free days and enjoy life as you grow older.
Understanding Back Pain
In general, pain is an uncomfortable experience that occurs as your body attempts to signal a warning of injury or respond to the problem. Low back pain, in particular, stems from a variety of causes. These may include degenerative problems that your body undergoes as you grow older, autoimmune conditions, spine infections, trauma such as in cases of falls or mechanical accidents, congenital diseases that affect the development of your spine, improper posture, and pain referred or radiated from other organs in the body. Generally, the structures in your lower back are extremely prone to stress from your environment or abnormal processes in your body and each of these can trigger low back pain.₁ Acute back pain typically lasts for less than 6 weeks, while chronic back pain can occur for more than 12 weeks.₂ The diagnosis of your low back pain problems are primarily driven by your personal history and work-up that are supplemented with a variety of imaging tests to detect the underlying condition. Knowing which activities trigger or minimize the pain should also be considered. Hence, taking the first step of becoming proactive about your health and talking to your healthcare provider about your low back pain are vital to achieve low back pain-free days!
Allopathic Care
Treatment for low back pain depends on the type and extent of pain, as well as its specific underlying cause. Pain relievers and muscle relaxants are generally prescribed to address the pain, in combination with physical therapy or psychological management strategies for specific patients.₁ In severe cases with complex causes, surgery may be indicated to manually fix or replace damaged structures. Although beneficial to some extent, management strategies for low back pain can be expensive and only target single causes of the discomfort. This is concerning since low back pain is complex, associated with multifactorial causes, and may be persistent when not appropriately addressed.₁
The Naturopathic & Alternative Medicine Approach
The naturopathic approach does not only address your back pain, but also improves your optimal well-being through targeting the root causes of your health problems. Rather than solely relying on medications that only temporarily suppress your pain, nurturing the intricacies of the processes within your body and the interconnectedness of your organs ultimately helps your body as it naturally heals itself. It is important to remember that your body is wonderfully made to protect and nurture itself. Supporting your body as it regains balance is the best reward your future self can receive for the years to come.
Herbal Medicine Herbal medicine can be used to reduce inflammation, nourish and heal damaged tissue, and reduce pain. Natural ingredients such as curcumin, bromelain, and quercetin have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that will help you say goodbye to your back discomforts! As a natural aspirin, white willow bark can also be beneficial in relieving pain. However, since it has similar effects to aspirin, you may also experience gastric irritation similar to when you use aspirin. Not to worry! Your naturopathic medicine advisors will guide you in exploring the benefits of herbal remedies for your health, making sure that you are able to use the right herbal medication and receive its optimal benefits, while monitoring therapeutic levels to keep your health on track! 
Massage
Massage has been used for centuries to relieve acute and chronic health problems, such as joint and muscle pain, backache, and osteoarthritis.₃ The procedure promotes clearance of lactate which is increasingly produced in your body when it becomes subjected to increased stress and damage, thereby reducing its toxic buildup and effects.₃ Additionally, massage nurtures your immune response and cognitive function, as well as exerts beneficial effects in reducing anxiety and mental health problems.₃ Rehabilitative Exercises Complex cases of low back pain due to trauma, developmental problems, or those requiring targeted interventions are recommended to not only alleviate pain, but also nurture optimal well-being. These may include stretching, muscle strengthening, and proprioceptive training, under the guidance of your naturopathic doctors who are expert in mind and body reconditioning. Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy is wonderful in stimulating and regulating essential processes in the body, such as your digestion, immune response, and blood circulation.₃ By achieving and nurturing the balance of the processes that keep your body going, stress is reduced, pain is relieved, and your body becomes rejuvenated.₃ With different kinds of hydrotherapy that target specific health concerns, it is important to identify which one is best for you! Talking with your naturopathic doctor will help you in exploring the best procedure type and duration for you.
Yoga (Ayurveda) Yoga is a non-invasive and effective routine to address your low back pain. Since it targets both the mind and body, yoga enhances your body’s flexibility, endurance, and allows your mind to actively control your body.3 The benefits of yoga do not stop there! Yoga also promotes your body’s capabilities to regulate processes and functions, as well as promote healthy thoughts and behavior. Acupuncture (Traditional Chinese Medicine) A powerful tool in promoting pain relief, this procedure addresses the blockage or excessive flow of qi throughout the body, relieving muscle spasms and promoting joint mobility and function. The wonders of acupuncture stems from the belief that wellness is interconnected: rather than being an isolated symptom, pain arises from blockage or excess in elements (wood, fire water, earth, metal) that disrupts your body’s vital energy.₄
The First Step
At Natural Path to Wellness, we are committed to guiding you in making conscious and proactive decisions for your health. The journey to optimal health may be long and difficult, but your courage in taking the first step to achieve your health goals is already inspiring. After all, your body’s #1 support system is you! To learn more about the benefits of naturopathic care for your optimal health and wellness, talk to your naturopathic doctors today! REFERENCES:
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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