When an episode of back pain strikes it is tempting to contact a health professional straight away. But there are some self-help measures you can take at home that may ease the immediate pain without the need to resort to specialist help. If back pain strikes suddenly or you feel that a problem is imminent, it is worth trying the following "first-aid" measures. For acute pain, lie down for a … [Read more...]
Treating Chronic Back Pain with Osteopathy
September 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Commonly recommended for the treatment of hack problems, osteopathy has become accepted by mainstream medicine to such an extent that is no longer considered an "alternative" therapy. In the United States in particular, osteopaths have the same professional status as medical doctors. The physical manipulation of the skeletal system to maintain and regain health is believed to have been … [Read more...]
Treating Back Pain with Yoga
September 1, 2012 by 1 Comment
Many people in the West used to think of yoga as an exotic practice from the Orient. Today, however, it is widely accepted and many enjoy its benefits. The vision of yoga as something alien and Eastern dates from its introduction into the West toward the end of the 19th century. But now, a century later, it has gained wide acceptance and is recognized for its value to mind and body. The word … [Read more...]
Qigong for Back Pain Relief
August 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Based on the principles of Taoism, the ancient religion and philosophy of China, qigong focuses on learning how to feel and move energy within the body with the help of gentle, sometimes almost static, exercises. Qigong is generally held to be the precursor of t'ai chi and certainly predates it by many centuries. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that qigong was being discussed and … [Read more...]
Treating Back Pain with Homeopathy
August 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Perhaps the most widely practiced of all complementary therapies is homeopathy. Yet it remains one of the most controversial since, despite years of scientific investigation, no one can explain how it works. This principle of treating like with like has a long and distinguished tradition in medicine. The ancient Greek "Father" of medicine, Hippocrates, was familiar with the concept, and it has … [Read more...]
Preventing Back Pain with Exercises
August 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Keeping fit is one of the best ways to prevent back problems from happening in the first place or, if you have already experienced back pain, of ensuring that it does not return. Regular exercise helps to keep the muscles in your back strong and the joints flexible, thus preventing it from being damaged by the stresses of everyday life. An additional benefit is that if you do injure your back, … [Read more...]
Massage for Back Pain Relief
August 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The benefits of massage have long been recognized. Around 2,400 years ago in ancient Greece, the physician Hippocrates recommended "a scented bath and an oiled massage every day " as the way to health. Massage as a structured therapy is thought to have originated in China and Mesopotamia more than 5,000 years ago. It continued to be an important part of conventional medical practice for … [Read more...]
Treating Back Pain with Herbal Remedies
August 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The earliest peoples would have learned the benefits - and dangers - of various plants through trial and error and from observing animals eating particular types of vegetation when unwell. This knowledge of herbal medicine was passed down through successive generations and is still used today. The medicinal effects of plants were carefully documented and classified in medieval Europe. This … [Read more...]
Choosing a Complementary Therapy for Back Pain
August 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Conventional medicine is beginning to accept alternative approaches, and your doctor may be able to refer you to a complementary therapist. Once you have decided to try complementary medicine, you may feel bewildered by the variety of therapies available. There are more than 26 different therapies, all of which have helped back-pain sufferers. So how do you decide which therapy may be right for … [Read more...]
Treating Back Pain with Chiropractic
August 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The vast majority of the of people who consult a chiropractor each year do so because of chronic back or neck pain. Surveys of people using chiropractic show high levels of satisfaction, and a growing number of scientific studies have provided proof of the therapy's effectiveness in such cases. Like osteopathy, chiropractic came out of the American Midwest in the 19th century and was largely … [Read more...]
