Beat Back Pain for Good With These Great Natural Products

Back pain can take many forms. It might sneak up on you out of nowhere in a blinding flash. Or, it may just linger in the background of everyday life, never really going away. No matter how you experience back pain, you don't have to accept it as a given. These natural products might be just what you need to help cut through back pain and return to a normal routine.

Foam Rollers

Feel that ache roll away as you release tension and break up constrictions within fascia and muscles with a foam roller. This form of self-myofascial release acts as a massage to break up knots and target trigger points. it has been linked to increased flexibility and may help speed recovery after injury or intense exercise.

Keep in mind that back pain often starts in the hips, so be sure to target those muscles as well. Pick a few foam roller exercises and stick with them for a few weeks to see if your pain improves.

Supplements

You make sure your diet includes all the nutrients you need for basic body functions, but are you also supporting the overall health and wellness of your muscles and joints? Look for natural options like Heal n sooth that combine traditional herbal practices with novel approaches to pain management. If you are dealing with pain caused by degenerative disc disease or joint deterioration, supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates are popular choices for supporting cartilage repair.

The Right Bed

Sleep and pain have a complicated relationship. When you are uncomfortable, or if staying still for a prolonged period causes pain, it can be difficult to get good quality sleep. Yet, your body needs roughly eight hours of solid rest each day to operate at its best, fight illness, and repair damage that has been done to muscles, joints, or other tissues.

Help promote quality sleep by finding the right bed for how you sleep. There are plenty of options to choose from, from new and traditional materials to adjustable bases and beds that can change firmness depending on who is in them. Some mattresses even have heating and cooling elements inside them to help you feel more comfortable.

Topical Treatments

Fight back pain from the outside with topical creams, lotions, and patches that deliver medication directly to the source. Most use menthol, methylsalicylate (oil from the evergreen plant), and capsaicin may help confuse nerve endings and interfere with the transmission of pain signals. Some creams also contain NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and counter pain. These work best when used for injuries or ailments that are close to the skin.

A Yoga Mat

Moderate physical exercise is linked to positive health outcomes, but moving more when you are dealing with back pain isn't always easy. That is where your yoga mat (and a few well-planned postures) comes in. These should be designed to specifically target muscles and joints that contribute to back pain without causing undue strain.

Add a relaxation or meditation component to your yoga practice for an added boost. Research shows that practicing mindfulness can significantly reduce pain whether it is chronic or acute.

Essential Oils

Aromatherapy has been shown to decrease pain, lower tension and stress levels, and promote relaxation. It works by releasing chemical compounds found in plants into the air. When you breathe them in, your body reacts in a predictable way.

Be sure to choose natural essential oils instead of fragrance oils, otherwise, you will miss out on the beneficial plant compounds. Some essential oils that can help ease pain are bergamot, lavender, lemongrass, ginger, and cinnamon.

Warm Compresses

Some solutions are fairly simple and low tech. Try placing a warm compress or hot pack on the sore area. It can help release tension and prepare muscles to be more flexible. The result is less pain, especially if it is from tightness or overuse.

No matter what causes your pain, there are treatment options that can help you manage and control it. Talk to your doctor before using any new medications or starting an exercise routine to be sure it won't interfere with your other treatments.