In our modern day of sedentary and desk-bound lifestyles, we hear of increased complaints of chronic spinal problems, which result in sleep and productivity loss, absenteeism, high medical costs, and disability. Incapacitating and excruciating back pains lead many sufferers to resort to powerful painkillers and ultimately surgery. Such procedures may or may not give the desired results, leading to aggravated back and leg pains, disc damage, reduced mobility, psychological trauma, and sometimes paralysis.
Rather than rushing to surgery, some wise sufferers seek out the help of complementary and alternative therapies. Such approaches start by investigating the underlying causes of back pains, which are usually precipitated by a sedentary life, i.e. inactivity. Let us explore alternative options.
Pain and distortion of the spine can be triggered by a bad posture such as a slouched back with relaxed abdominal muscles, straining and deforming the spine. Immobility of the spinal joints makes room for inflammation and bulging discs, instigating severe pain and discomfort. Back muscle sprains and joint injuries, provoked by wrong moves during sports, exercising at the gym, or after long-term inactivity, have also become very common.
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal becomes very tight, squeezing the spinal cord. The genetic form appears at an advanced age. Pressure on vertebrae distorts the spinal cord, squeezing the nerves and prompting pain and numbness in the extremities. Fearing paralysis, surgeons strongly recommend surgery to relieve the spinal cord and pinched nerves. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has made diagnosis much simpler.
Another common reason for back surgery is a herniated disc. Very painful conditions like discs pinching nerves require surgery, but not all bulging discs, as MRI show it, require surgery. Most people live with it painlessly. In certain conditions, surgery is unnecessary as pain persists even after the procedure. According to research, many herniated discs heal well within six months without surgery, unless the disc hits the sciatic nerve.
Since back pain is not a disease but a symptom, there is a need to treat the underlying cause. Holistic approaches have healing effects on back problems. They can be more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs, surgery, or conventional treatments. Alternative health care providers such as chiropractors manipulate the vertebrae to ease stiffness in joints and make them more flexible and mobile. Spinal realignment corrects asymmetry that causes severe pain.
Massage therapy such as deep-tissue massage loosens up scar tissue, caused by old injuries or surgeries. When certain muscles are stiffened by scar tissue, other muscles overwork to compensate for them, causing imbalance and pain. Yoga helps ease pain and increases maneuverability of muscles, bones, joints, and vertebrae hardened by scar tissue and inactivity. Scar tissue is caused when collagen repairs tissue and broken bones speedily and haphazardly after injury. However, when massage is applied or yoga practiced immediately after injury, it helps break up the untidy tissue mass.
On the other hand, acupuncturists handle the problem on a different level. The fine needles inserted beneath the skin activate nerve endings, divert the brain from pain, and make it secrete natural painkillers to ease the pain. Acupuncture improves blood and oxygen circulation in the joints and muscles, reducing inflammation, pain, and painkiller dependence.
The above holistic treatments require dietary and lifestyle changes as well as supplements. Some back pain patients may have magnesium and calcium deficiencies that increase muscle spasms. For joint pains, glucosamine is recommended. Those who suffer severe pains from inflammation need proteolytic enzymes like bromlain from pineapple, papain from papaya, or animal-derived pancreatin which breakdown proteins that cause inflammation in the bloodstream. They should be taken on an empty stomach for faster action. A diet containing enzyme-rich raw vegetables (heat destroys enzymes), fruit (papaya, pineapple, mango), sprouted grains (barley and wheat grasses), and spices (curcumin, gingerroot) reduces inflammation and improves health.
Overweight back-pain and joint sufferers should consider losing weight to relieve the back and joints. Weight loss enhances mobility and increases energy. Activities like walking, exercising, stretching (yoga), and muscle strengthening relieve spinal and joint pains. When you have back pains, consider natural approaches before rushing into the operating room or committing yourself to life-long medication.
