Holistic Approaches to Managing Lower Back Pain

Sometimes, it is not necessary to directly be the source of pain, even when it comes to lower back pain. Instead, many medical professionals believe it is better to work on improving a person’s overall health and well-being. Taking a holistic approach to managing lower back pain can help people heal naturally and avoid extreme measures such as invasive surgery. 

Medication is often prescribed as an l4-l5 spinal stenosis treatment or for spondylolisthesis in the lower back, but drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories come with possible side effects that can impact a patient’s day-to-day life. This is why doctors prefer to focus on lifestyle changes and organic methods to treat spinal conditions and associated pain. 

What Can Cause Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can happen at any stage of a person’s life, possibly as the result of an injury, such as those that occur in a car accident or sports collision. However, lower back pain is more common in people aged over 50, as a result of deterioration in the various elements that make up the spine. These elements are the vertebrae, intravertebral discs, ligaments, and tendons, If damaged, these elements can cause compression on the nerves and spinal cord, causing pain and other symptoms. A common issue that can arise is a knot in lower back, which often results from muscle tension or strain, contributing to localized discomfort.

Common conditions that cause lower back pain include a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and sciatica. 

• Herniated discs refer to when the soft cushion-like tissue within the intravertebral disc ruptures out of its outer casing and comes into contact with the nerves.
• Degenerative disc disease is when the discs lose moisture over time and no longer offer the necessary protection to the vertebrae.
• Spinal stenosis is a condition that involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, causing compression.
• Spondylolisthesis is when one or more of the vertebrae slips forward and presses on the spinal cord or nerves. The degree of slippage can vary greatly, with some people experiencing no pain or discomfort.
• Sciatica is compression on the sciatic nerve which can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs, as well as lower back pain. 

6 Holistic Approaches For Managing Lower Back Pain

Holistic approaches for managing lower back pain can vary, from herbal remedies to professional treatments. We will outline the top 7 holistic approaches for tackling back pain and improving a person’s overall physical well-being. 

1. Massage Therapy

Many people who suffer from back pain can benefit from massage therapy. A service that can often be administered by a registered physical therapist, or a specialist masseuse. This holistic approach can even help to manage chronic pain and can be much more cost-effective than medication and regular physical therapy appointments. 

As well as targeting the inflamed area to relieve tension directly and improve blood circulation, massages also reduce anxiety levels, make a person more relaxed, and can even help people overcome depression. A massage once a week can offer short-term pain relief while also having a positive mental impact. 

2. Supplements

Many helpful supplements can have a direct influence on lower back pain. For example, capsaicin cream can be applied to painful areas and works as an analgesic to reduce the amount of neurochemicals that are causing discomfort. 

Vitamins such as D and B12 are also recommended for people who have a spine condition, with Vitamin D proven to affect muscular pain. Additional vitamin D can be ingested by eating more fish and dairy, or by taking concentrated tablets. Meanwhile, B12 can also reduce pain and improve mobility when injected directly into the back.  

Magnesium is essential to the human body, regulating the immune system and supporting important biochemical reactions. It is key to supporting the nerves and muscles which is why anyone who has back pain should consider taking magnesium supplements to boost the amount present in their body. 

Finally, there are many natural, anti-inflammatory herbs to consider such as turmeric, devil’s claw, or white willow bark. White willow bark contains salicin which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. 

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicinal practice is designed to release trapped energy in the body by locating pressure points and inserting small, thin needles. Scientifically, this method can effectively release natural hormones, neurochemicals, and opioids that make a person feel more relaxed and ease pain. Visiting an acupuncture therapist at least once a week can have a noticeable impact on managing lower back pain. 

4. Chiropractic Treatment

You may consider visiting a chiropractor who can perform spinal manipulation to improve the health of the joints and enable better mobility. Chiropractors will manually contort the body to loosen any stiff or injured joints which can reduce pain and inflammation. 

5. Posture/ The Alexander Technique

The Alexander technique is a method of improving posture and mobility, training people to avoid slouching, keep their muscles relaxed, and provide constant support to the spine. This technique is usually taught by a professional in a private setting. Fundamentally, this technique makes people aware of their bad posture habits and teaches them to subconsciously maintain good posture at all times. 

6. Yoga

Yoga can be dated back to ancient India and focuses on a range of poses and postures that make the body stronger and more flexible when performed regularly. Each pose targets different aspects of the body, with many poses aimed at boosting spinal and core muscle strength. By doing so, a person’s spine is better supported and the likelihood of back pain is reduced. 

Each of these approaches has its benefits but it should be noted that each person’s body is different, and what works for one individual may not work for another. However, even if holistic approaches do not have a noticeable impact in terms of back pain, they still provide overall benefits that can reduce the chances of other conditions and diseases developing further down the line.

Thank you for reading. We hope this article has provided some interesting and useful insights in holistic approaches for managing lower back pain.