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Most backaches begin while bending forward to pick up something from the floor. The pain usually comes on suddenly without
warning, and it may be very difficult to straighten up to a standing position again. In most cases it is felt either in the
middle of the back or lower down on one side. If a spinal disc is involved, the pain may extend down the thigh and leg along
the sciatic nerve on that side.
The most common cause of backache may be due to decrease in exercise that makes the muscles of the back strong and healthy.
Flabby muscles then produce a wobbly spine, followed by pain, spasm and misery especially if a disc is ruptured.
Weakened muscles and damaged discs are not the only causes of low back pain. Other causes are menstruation, pregnancy,
female disorders, kidney and bladder conditions, as well as rectal and prostatic diseases. Usually these bring little or no
pain on moving the back.
Arthritis of the spine is another common cause of low back pain. Fracturesof the spine often result in severe back pain.
A qualified surgeon who can prescribe any appliances or supports that may be needed should treat such conditions.
A sprained back is the result of a bending or overextension of a joint beyond its capacity. Any unexpected twisting of
the body, such as in car accident, may cause a badly sprained back. But merely bending over to pick up one's shoes may also
produce a sudden pain in the middle of the back, making it difficult to straighten up again. All movements must then be restricted
to prevent further pain.
Regular exercise is important. As soon as the pain begin to decrease, the patient should lie on the floor with his hands
behind the neck and raise the legs high in the air. First one at time, then together. Repeat this a dozen times each morning
and night. Careful bending from side to side and also rotating the upper part of the body while holding the lower part steady
will help to strengthen the back and keep the muscles strong and healthy. At the same time it will restore tone to all tendons,
ligaments and joints.
Another condition known as osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones, is often seen in elderly people. This may cause collapse
and wedging of one or more of vertebrae, due to the weakening of the bones, which often occurs in the later years of life.
Such conditions need careful medical management to prevent further deformity and pain. They should be given a good diet, including
sufficient amount of protein and calcium to restore the tissues of the bones.
Neck pain that arises from long hours at the desk or by driving car for long can be relieved by certain neck exercises.
These include rotating the head clockwise and anticlockwise, allowing the head to drop forward and backward as far as possible
and turning the head to the right and left as far as possible several times. These exercises help to loosen up contracted
neck muscles, which may restrict the blood supply to the head.
The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of a salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage,
cucumber, radish, lettuce and at least two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach
and plenty of fruits, all except bananas.
The patient should avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods; curd, sweetmeats and sugar; condiments; and tea and coffee.
Most backaches could be avoided following a few simple rules:
1. Lift with legs, not the back. Bend your knees when you wish to pick up something heavy. Keep the back straight.
2. Avoid overexertion. A person who is not accustomed to heavy lifting should not try to carry too much at a time.
3. Exercise regularly. Don’t overdo a good thing like exercise. Taking a moderate amount regularly will do more
good than strenuous exercise on rare occasions.
4. Change your position frequently. Avoid cramped sitting positions that bring on fatigue. Move around. Keep flexible.
If you do have back trouble, do not worry. With proper treatment your back will soon be better.
HOME REMEDIES FOR BACKACHE
· A dose of powdered Sonth, Meetha soda and Namak (salt), if taken with hot milk or water, decreases backache.
· The most important home remedy for backache is garlic. Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to get relief.
Oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give immediate relief.
· Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of one lemon mixed with common salt and taken by the patient
twice daily gives immediate relief.
· Chebulic myroblan is effective for the treatment of backache. A small piece of this fruit should be eaten after meals.
This will give quick relief.
· Vitamin C is also useful in treating the severe backache. About 2,000 mg of this vitamin should be taken daily for treating
this condition.
· Raw potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, Application of raw potato in the form of a poultice has been found
very effective in this condition.
· Hot fomentation, alternate sponging, or application of heat to the back will also give immediate relief.
· Boil ten tulsi leaves in one cup of water until the syrup is reduced to half a cup. Add salt to it after cooling. Take
this mixture daily. For severe backache, take it twice a day.
· A self-massage with eucalyptus oil is also very effective remedy, mustard oil can also be used.
· Guggulu is very helpful. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water.
· a mixture of five black pepper corns, five cloves and one-gram dry ginger powder can be taken with tea at least twice
a day to reduce backache.
· Take half a gram of dalchini powder with one-teaspoon honey at least twice a day for best results.
Backache treatment using Garlic
The most important home remedy for backache is the use of garlic. Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to
get results. An oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give great relief. This oil is prepared by frying ten
cloves of garlic in 60 ml of oil in a frying pan. Any of the oils which are used as rubefacients, such as mustard oil. sesame
oil, and coconut oil can be used according to one's choice. They should be fried on a slow fire till they are brown. After
the oil has cooled, it should be applied vigorously on the back, and allowed to remain there for three hours. The patient
may, thereafter, take a warm-water bath. This treatment should be continued for at least fifteen days.
Backache treatment using Lemon
Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of one lemon should be mixed with common salt and taken by the
patient twice daily. It will give relief.
Backache treatment using Chebulic Myroblan
The use of chebulic myroblan is beneficial in the treatment of backache. A small piece of this fruit should be eaten after
meals. This will give quick relief.
Backache treatment using Vitamin C
Vitamin C has proved valuable in case of severe backaches. About 2,000 mg of this vitamin should be taken daily for treating
this condition. Considerable improvement will be noticeable within two days.
Backache treatment using Potato
Raw potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, characterised by incapacitating pain in the lumbar region, especially
in the lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the fom of a poultice has been found very effective in this condition.
Hot fomentation and alternate sponging
Hot fomentation, alternate sponging, or application of heat to the back will also give immediate relief.
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