BICOLKNOWN

Natural Pain Relief for Back Pain

by Dr. Maoshing Ni

Eight out of 10 adults in America have—or will soon experience—back pain brought on by the wear and tear of living. It seems simple to pop a pill for the pain, but why not avoid the side effects by trying natural possibilities first? You can turn to natural healing practices and  herbs to alleviate back pain.  The Chinese medical perspective

According to Chinese medicine, the skeletal structure, bones, and lower back arepart of the kidney network. Kidney energy tends to diminish as we age,more rapidly with unhealthy diet, excessive strain, and youthful in discretions such as drug and alcohol use. Weakness in the kidney network results in symptoms of lower back pain, as well as genera lweakness, fatigue, and other signs of premature aging. Replenishing kidney energy is a slow and difficult process; that is whyit is essential to preserve kidney energy. Fortunately, through going exercises, herbs, proper diet and lifestyle, you can slow down its depletion and even regenerate certain aspects of kidney energy, and inthe process, ease some of your back pain.

Try these tips!

1. Eucommia for your aching back

Eucommiais a traditional ingredient in herbal formulas for back and joint painand helps to strengthen your bones, tendons, and ligaments. Western studies with rats have discovered that both the leaves and the bark of eucommia contain a compound that encourages the development of collagen, an important part of connective tissues like skin, tendons,and ligaments. A typical dosage is 350 mg twice a day. You can also try the traditional Chinese Arthritis/Joint formula, which includes eucommia and other herbs that support a strong back.

2. Press here for relief

Lower back pain is one of the most common problems that we treat at the Tao of Wellness. We use acupuncture and bodywork to reduce pain, which has proven quite effective. Like acupuncture, acupressure is the art of acupuncture without needles, where you use your ownfingers to stimulate a specific acupoint. The combination of  the following two acupoints is good for strengthening the kidneys and alleviating back pain:

• Find the acupoint: Forceful Torrent(Ki-3), which is in the depression between the inner anklebone and the Achilles tendon of the right foot. Apply steady pressure with yourright thumb until you feel soreness. Hold for 3 minutes. Repeat on theleft foot.

•Find the acupoint: Supporting the Core. It's in the middle of the popliteal crease behind the knee of the right leg. Apply pressure withyour right middle finger until you feel soreness. Hold for 3 minutes.Repeat on your left leg.

Youcan also massage the parts or your back that are in pain. Tonic oil,which consists of oils of camphor, peppermint, eucalyptus, fennel, and wintergreen, can be massaged into your back for relief from minor aches and pains. For a traditional blend of tonic oil in a pure sesame oilbase, click here.

3. Tasty treats for back pain

Makea delicious anti-inflammatory cocktail by mixing equal parts ofunsweetened black cherry juice with dark grape juice and drink 3 to 6glasses a day until the pain has eased. Also, feature more pineapple inyour diet. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is anatural anti-inflammatory that helps with back pain, as well as muscleand joint pain.

4. Exercise can ease your back

Most back pain is caused by the wear and tear of living, which over time weakens our skeletal structure, in the form of bone loss or a displaced disk. Research conclusively shows that exercise early in life builds bone mass and strengthens the skeletal structure, helping to prevent injury down the road. The good news is that if you are advancing in age, regular exercise can slow the progress of degenerative bone disorders. Generally for a healthy back, I recommend a combination of exercises: a 30-minute daily walk, moderate weight training to strengthen muscles and bones, and tai chi or qigongto build endurance and flexibility. A good form to choose is Dao-Inqigong, which is gentle on the body and great for loosening up the back. You can look for a local tai chi practitioner to teach you orl earn from an instructional DVD. During acute back pain, exercise may be difficult or too painful. Until you are mobile, bed rest is the best.

I hope you have found some natural ways to alleviate your back pain! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

-Dr. Mao

Thisblog is meant to educate, but it should not be used as a substitute forpersonal medical advice. The reader should consult his or her physicianor clinician for specific information concerning specific medicalconditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure thatall information presented is accurate, as research and development inthe medical field is ongoing, it is possible that new findings maysupersede some data presented.