Back pain is a common medical problem, affecting eight out of 10 people at some point during their lives, according to the National Institute of Health. Natural methods of treating back pain are varied in approach and application. In most cases, structural damage to the spine necessitates conventional medical intervention. Back pain caused by muscular pain, soft tissue irritation and general soreness can often be treated successfully with alternatives to conventional medicine.
Identification
Natural treatments for back pain are methods used to reduce or eliminate the pain without the use of medications, surgery or injections. Many natural treatments are now considered Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAM), the official title given by congress to those treatments outside the domain of conventional medical care. Treating back pain from a natural perspective is focused on addressing the underlying cause of the pain, not only the symptoms.
Types
Manual adjustment of the spine by a trained doctor of chiropractic (DC) is a natural option which can decrease or eliminate back pain. Swedish and soft tissue massages are gentle ways to relieve back pain and rejuvenate the body.
Exercises such as Pilates, yoga, swimming, walking and Tai Chi will stabilize the spine and often resolve muscular back pain issues over time. According to the Mayo Clinic, "A study of adults with chronic low back pain found that a gentle yoga routine was as effective as pain medication in reducing pain, and the benefits lasted for several months." Acupuncture, the ancient Chinese medical intervention based on regulating the energy flowing throughout the body systems, is another beneficial natural treatment used to free the back from pain.
Considerations
The primary factor for categorizing natural back pain treatments in complimentary alternative medicine is the lack of scientific data to support many of the claims made by supporters of CAM, yet research in these practices is increasing as more funds are provided for studies. Pain is not uncommon after a chiropractic adjustment, but it is usually a result of soft tissue irritation which should subside within 24 hours.
Significance
Concerns about side-effects from the long term use of pain medications may be circumvented through the use of natural methods in treating back pain. Natural treatments such as acupuncture are gaining ground in the field of alternative therapies. According to the American College of Physicians, a clinical trial published in May 2009, showed that acupuncture was more effective than conventional medical practices in relieving chronic low-back pain.
Misconceptions
Resistance to natural treatment for back pain is often due to a misconception that alternative therapies are not covered by insurance. Although coverage varies, chiropractic and acupuncture are covered under some insurance plans. The idea that a choice must be made to use either conventional treatment or CAM is another misconception. Integrating conventional and alternative medicine is gaining popularity. According to a study published by the U.S. Library of Medicine and the NIH, a survey conducted of 13 hospitals affiliated with Harvard Medical School, showed that eight of them offered acupuncture alongside conventional medical treatment.
References
- Medline Plus\National Institute of Health: Back Pain
- NIH Almanac: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Mayo Clinic: Complimentary and Alternative Therapies for Back Pain
- Natural Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine\NIH: Acupuncture for Pain
- Pub Med: Availability of Acupuncture in the Hospitals Of a Major Academic Medical Center: A Pilot Study
