Introduction

If you are struggling with backache, you are one of the 619 million people across the globe who are suffering from back pain.1

The human spine is a complex structure with interconnected bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, and muscles. All these intricate structures work together to provide body support, structure, strength, and flexible movements.

However, this complex structure is more prone to wear and tear, causing back pain. Acute back pain lasts around six weeks, and chronic back pain lasts more than 12 weeks.2

Several causes can trigger back pain like injury or overexertion. With your age, the probability of developing back pain increases. This is primarily due to the type of your occupation and degenerative changes in your body.

Lower back pain can be related to the bony lumbar spine, the discs between the vertebrae, the ligaments surrounding the spine, the spinal cord, spinal nerves, the lower back muscles, and the skin around the lumbar region. With homeopathy, you can get relief from traumatizing back pain.

Role of homeopathic medicine for back pain relief

Whether the back pain is caused due to disc problems, arthritis, muscle pain, or trauma, homeopathy has an answer to all. Homeopathic medicines are highly effective when prescribed after a thorough symptom analysis and evaluation. The best part is that all age groups can safely take these medicines.

Homeopathic medicines are prescribed after a detailed case study that considers back pain symptoms and the physical and mental disposition. When given for back pain, it benefits in the following ways:

  • They raise plasma vitamin C levels and lower oxidative stress, which is beneficial for treating degenerative diseases like back pain.
  • In inflammatory circumstances, like osteoarthritis, they reduce stiffness, pain score, and functional index.
  • In the case of fibromyalgia instances, there is a reduction in tender point pain and an improvement in quality of life.
  • It gives back pain relief without any adverse side effects.

Top five homeopathic medicines for back pain

Homeopathic medicines treat all kinds of back pains effectively. Here are some top recommendations:

Arnica montana (Arn.)

Common name: Leopard’s bane

Arnica montana is the best homeopathic remedy for back pain from injury. Back pain after a fall, blow, and contusion are all treated by this medicine. The patient often feels sore, bruised pain in the back as if beaten. This can be associated with a lame feeling in the back.

Arnica is a very good homeopathic medicine for rheumatic back pains. This remedy will take care of muscle, nerve, and tendon pains. This medicine works well when back pain worsens by the slightest touch, motion, rest, and damp cold weather. It is also indicated in back stiffness due to trauma or overexertion. Arnica is helpful in cases of back pain, where the person cannot walk straight.

Bryonia alba (Bry.)

Common name: Wild hops

Bryonia alba is an excellent remedy for back pain that worsens with motion.  Walking makes back pain worse, and the pain gets better with rest is the keynote symptom of this remedy.

Bryonia is indicated in cases of back pain that becomes severe on stooping and standing. This medicine is effective for right-sided back pain. Lying on the affected side aggravates back pain. Bryonia back pain is intense, joints are swollen, and hot to touch. Patients often feel every spot is painful from pressure.

Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.)

Common name: Poison ivy

Rhus toxicodendron is the best homeopathic remedy for back pain. It is indicated in back pain that arises from muscle strain due to overstretching, lifting heavy weights, or overstraining.

Rhus tox. back pain occurs between the shoulders, especially while swallowing. Most pains are left-sided and radiate to the thighs. Pain aggravates after rest or during the first movement but improves with continuous motion.

This medicine works wonders in cases where pain gets better by hard pressure. Rhus tox. treats pains in tendons, ligaments, and fascia. This medicine is helpful in rheumatic pains of the upper and lower back. Rhus tox. treats a tearing type of sciatica pain that worsens in cold, damp weather, and at night.

Aesculus hippocastanum (Aesc.)

Common name: Horse chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum is a homeopathic medicine for treating back pain in the sacral region. It cures the back pain extending to the hip along with the sacrum.

Walking and bending worsens the pain. There is lameness in the back, often between shoulder blades. This remedy is indicated for cervical spondylitis. Back pain from rising from a sitting position with intense stiffness calls for Aesculus.

Kalium carbonicum (Kali-c)

Common name: Carbonate of potassium

Kalium carbonicum is indicated for back pain in women during menses, after a miscarriage, or after childbirth. This remedy is effective for pain where the lumbosacral region feels weak. The patient often feels stiffness and a paralytic feeling in the back. Pain often worsens on walking; a person must stop and rest before walking again. The pain is so severe that it makes a person lie down.

Take Homeopathy Treatment for Your Health Conditions

Causes of back pain

The leading cause of back pain is excess strain on your back muscles. The common causes of a strain include

  • Sprained muscles or ligaments
  • Tension and spasm in muscles
  • Disc damage
  • Fractures
  • Injuries

Some activities leading to strain or spasm include:

  • Lifting weight in the wrong posture
  • Lifting heavy weight
  • A sudden or abrupt movement

In addition, a few structural problems can also result in back pain, like:

  • Ruptured discs

When a cushioning disc ruptures, it puts excess pressure on nerves resulting in back pain.3

  • Bulging discs

Building discs can cause nerve compression causing back pain.4

  • Sciatica

This occurs when a bulging or herniated disk presses on the sciatic nerve, causing sharp pain.5

  • Unusual curvature of the spine

Back pain could be due to unusual spine curves like scoliosis.6

  • Osteoporosis

This condition makes your spinal bones brittle and porous, making them vulnerable to fractures.7

  • Kidney problems

Renal stones or kidney infections can also be the reason for back pain.8

  • Sitting position

Sitting in a hunched position while using a computer can cause back and shoulder pains.9

Symptoms of back pain

The primary sign of back pain is a dull sore, aching sensation in the back, sometimes extending to the buttocks and legs.

Some back pains can produce discomfort in other body parts depending on the nerves impacted. These symptoms include:

  • Swelling or inflammation in the back
  • Constant back pain
  • Pain radiating down to legs
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Numbness around the genitals or anus or the buttocks

Treatment

Back pain can be treated using over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers. Other treatment options include:

  • Medication

A prescription NSAID may be necessary for back discomfort that does not improve after trying over-the-counter pain relievers.

  • Physiotherapy

Back muscles and soft tissues may benefit from applying heat, cold, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to reduce discomfort. A physiotherapist could introduce flexibility and strength exercises for the back as the discomfort lessens.

  • Injections of cortisone

These may be injected into the epidural space, which surrounds the spinal cord. It aids in reducing swelling close to the nerve roots.

  • Traction

To extend the back, pulleys and weights are used. A herniated disc might get realigned as a result of traction.

Diet and lifestyle changes for back pain relief

  • Carry less

Your neck and spine can experience unnecessary tension and strain from carrying heavy briefcases, laptop bags, luggage, and purses. Try to carry fewer items and utilize two shoulder bags that distribute the weight more equally.

  • Engage your core

The muscles in and around your back, abdomen, and surrounding areas support you when you move and keep you upright.  Strengthening them can lower your risk of experiencing back pain.

  • Fix your posture

Your spine gets unnecessary stress and pressure from poor posture. Remind yourself frequently to straighten your shoulders and sit straight in your chair.

  • Swap your footwear

If you wear high-heeled footwear frequently, your back may hurt. Choose footwear that is minimally raised, comfortable, and supportive.

  • Stretch regularly

Stretch frequently to increase blood flow to your muscles, and to reduce the chances of back pain.

Conclusion

Back pain is not a disease but a symptom due to an underlying disease. It needs to be managed holistically. Try homeopathy for backache to reduce your pain without side effects.

References

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  4. Dydyk AM, Massa RN, Mesfin FB. Disc Herniation. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822
  5.  Davis D, Maini K, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
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  8.  Alelign T, Petros B. Kidney stone disease: An update on current concepts. Adv Urol [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2023 Aug 20];2018:1–12. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3068365
  9.  Jung K-S, Jung J-H, In T-S, Cho H-Y. Effects of prolonged sitting with slumped posture on trunk muscular fatigue in adolescents with and without chronic lower back pain. Medicina (Kaunas) [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Aug 20];57(1):3. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3390/medicina57010003
  10.  Low back pain: What role does medication play in the treatment of non-specific back pain? Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2019.
  11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK284957/#:~:text=Muscle%20relaxants%20are%20thought%20to,pain%20in%20the%20short%20term.
  12.  Gordon R, Bloxham S. A systematic review of the effects of exercise and physical activity on non-specific chronic low back pain. Healthcare (Basel) [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2023 Aug 29];4(2):22. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare4020022
  13.  Samanta A, Samanta J. Is epidural injection of steroids effective for low back pain? BMJ [Internet]. 2004 [cited 2023 Aug 20];328(7455):1509–10. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7455.1509
  14.  Witt CM, Lüdtke R, Baur R, Willich SN. Homeopathic treatment of patients with chronic low back pain: A prospective observational study with 2 years’ follow-up. Clin J Pain [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2023 Aug 20];25(4):334–9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19590483/
  15.  Smith AG, Miles VN, Holmes DT, Chen X, Lei W. Clinical trials, potential mechanisms, and adverse effects of Arnica as an adjunct medication for pain management. Medicines (Basel) [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Aug 20];8(10):58. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/medicines8100058
  16.  Riley DS. Bryonia alba: White bryony, European white bryony, Black-berried bryony, Wild hop, False mandrake, Tetterbury [Bryonia alba L.]. In: Materia Medica of New and Old Homeopathic Medicines. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2022. p. 65–7https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-65920-2_20
  17.  Huh YH, Kim MJ, Yeo MG. Homeopathic Rhus toxicodendron treatment increased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in primary cultured mouse chondrocytes. Homeopathy [Internet]. 2013;102(4):248–53. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491613000611