Back pain is one of the most common health problems people endure. According to The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, eight out of ten people are affected by it at some point during their lifetime. Statistics further reveal that twenty percent of Americans suffer from back pain annually. It is the second most common disability, just after the head pain, and accounts for more than sixteen percent of the total disabilities in the people equal or more than 18 years of age. (
Source: CDC.MMWR 2001; 50:120-125). The journal Spine reported that in 1998 health care for back pain alone cost over $90 billion in the US.
Back pain ranges from a dull and constant ache to a sudden and sharp pain making it difficult for the afflicted person to move or to walk. Most back pain is the result of an injury to the soft tissues of the back or spinal column’s muscles, ligaments, and tendons, or to the gelatinous discs that separate the spinal bones.
The back can be divided into three regions: the upper back, the middle back, and the lower back. The upper back is the region from the neck down to the area directly behind the chest. Problems in the upper back pain are not as common as problems in the lower back, but they are equally serious in their affliction. Scoliosis and arthritis are the two major upper back pain conditions. The middle back is composed of twelve vertebrae of the thoracic region of the spinal column. For most people, middle back pain is attributed to simple muscle sprains and can be easily fixed. However, herniated discs, arthritis, and osteoporosis are the severe forms of middle back pain, and need prompt medical attention. The lower back is the lumbar and the pelvic region of the spine. Generally, lower back pain is the most common and the most dangerous of the three. It affects about 60% to 80% of the US population, though only 1% - 2% of all cases require surgery, and 5-10% of the cases develop into chronic conditions. Osteoarthritis, discogenic disk disease, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, vertebral fracture, and cancer, are the mechanical and non-mechanical physical causes of low back pain.
Here, it needs to be mentioned that back pain is not a disease in itself but a symptom of a disease, affecting the natural health of a person, which may yet be undiagnosed. So any form of back pain should not be left untreated or unattended.
In the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, April 2004 issue, Chao Sun, MD, MPH, Department of Family Medicine, University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, states that treating back pain using conventional methods is sometimes difficult since the anatomic cause for the pain cannot be defined with specificity, as only a small percentage of patients with low back pain have an identifiable underlying cause. So, the back pain treatment is restricted to simple bed rest and use of analgesic tablets, and it is then followed by intensive therapy if the pain continues.
Further, a research study published in a German Journal reveals that when compared to physiotherapy, homeopathic treatment gave better results, and was better accepted by the back pain patients, especially, in the cases of low back pain.
Alternative medicine and treatment seems more effective where back pain is concerned. Clinical trials conducted by Weiner and Ernst, which included 798 cases within systematic reviews of homeopathy, reported that homeopathic remedies were superior to placebo for treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in older adults.
Back pain is usually caused by: • Occupational hazards: Lifting heavy objects, prolonged standing or sitting, sitting in front of the computer for long hours at a stretch, are the most common cause of back ache.
• Age: Risk of back pain increases as patients get older, but it starts when one is younger than 45 years.
• Alcohol and drug abuse: These increase the risk of back pain.
• Gender: Studies revealed that women were at a higher risk of back pain than men. Half of all pregnant women can expect back pain during their pregnancy.
• Obesity: Back pain increases in overweight and obese patients.
• Poor posture: The incorrect posture causes undue stress on certain areas of the back causing back pain.
• Heavy smoking: Excessive smoking increases the risk of back pain.
• Psychological factors: Some factors like anxiety, depression, lack of inner peace, death of a loved one, etc. contribute to back pain.
• Sports: Wrestling, rugby, skiing, and such type of sports, increase the chances of back pain due to injuries.
• Spinal conditions: Osteoporosis, spondylosis, discogenic diseases, etc. can cause back pain.
Following are the
back pain symptoms:• Pain radiating front, or back, or side of the leg, and the pain becomes worse with activity.
• Pain radiating through the buttocks, or pain and numbness radiating down to the foot, which gets worse after a long period of standing or sitting.
• Pain caused by certain positions or movements like bending forward or running.
• In older adults, severe lower back pain in the morning or later in the day and probably due to osteoarthritis.
• Leg pain occurring when walking, which increases with more walking.
• Localized pain in the upper or middle portion of the back.
• Muscle spasms when there are involuntary, uncontrolled contraction of muscles.
• Pain when taking a deep breath, coughing or sneezing; sometimes discomfort is felt when the area is touched, and pain radiates to the neck or shoulders.
Homeopathy works on the principle of “Similia Similibus Curentur” which means “like cure likes”. This concept makes a profound contribution to understanding holistic healing, because inherent in this principle is a deep respect for the wisdom of the human body. Homeopathic cure emphasizes individualizing a remedy to the totality of a person’s symptoms, not just a person’s specific disease. This includes the person’s psychological and social conditions too. Therefore, when being treated by a homeopathic doctor, patients are encouraged to describe in detail the PRECISE type of pain as well as what aggravates or ameliorate the symptoms. This is a very important aspect in diagnosing back pain homeopathically. In short, homeopathy takes a holistic approach to a disease.
Homeopathic remedies are useful in the treatment of back pain, but sometimes physical therapy may also be required. Some of the common remedies are as follows:
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Arnica: Used as remedy immediately after an injury to the back.
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Nux vomica: This medicine helps when back pain is aggravated by movement, specially turning over in bed.
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Bryonia: Used in cases of back pain and stiffness that is aggravated by any type of motion including deep breathing.
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Calcarea fluorica: This remedy is used when the back pain simulates spinal irritation, a sort of burning pain in the lower back.
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Calcarea phosphorica: This remedy relieves stiffness and soreness of the spinal muscles in the neck and upper back.
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Calcarea carbonica: Used for low back pain and muscle weakness in an overweight or obese person.
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Ignatia: Back pains related to emotional upsets, for example, grief, often respond to this remedy.
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Colosynthis: Remedy for cramping or spasmodic pain that is alleviated by heat or firm pressure.
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Hypericum: Useful in cases of shooting back pain that are the result of an injury.
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Rhus toxicodendron: When pain is aggravated by initial movements but relieved by continual movements, this remedy is suggested.
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Tellurium: Helpful during sciatica, when there is marked aggravation from coughing, sneezing, or during a bowel movement. The pain is more on the right side.
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Gnaphalium: Useful during sciatica and can be used if pain is accompanied by numbness or muscle cramps in the affected leg.
The remedy that closes matches the symptoms should be selected. Again, a lower potency such as 6x, 6c, 12x, or 30x, should be used in cases of self treatment.
As reported in the British Medical Journal, a clinical trial was conducted to test the efficacy of Rhus toxicodendron 6c on 30 people with fibromyalgia. It was found that the participants showed great improvement when they were taking Rus tox as compared to a placebo.
Furthermore, the best way to prevent back pain is through staying fit through regular exercise, paying attention to posture during activity (bending at the knees rather then the back, staying clear of smoking, getting up and stretching at regular intervals while working at the computer and maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if necessary.
In conclusion, it can be said that back pain, unless in a severe form, can be easily treated through homeopathy or prevented through the precautions mentioned above. However, if the pain does not subside in four to seven days, it is advisable to refer a professional therapist or physician.
REFERENCES:1. Boericke, William: Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory & Indian Drugs, B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 1991.
2. Cummings, Stephen, and Dana Ullman: Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. Penguin Publishers, USA, 1997.
3. Ullman, Dana: Homeopathy A-Z, Hay House, Inc., USA, 1999.
4. www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/02/slides/3873S1_06_Borenstein.ppt
5. www.healingchronicpain.org/content/backpain/diag_home_med.asp
6. www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/104/4/149
7. www.spine.org/articles/backpain_pregnancy.cfm
8. www.peacehealth.org/kbase/cam/hn-2198002.htm
9. http://www.niams.nih.gov
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11. Gmunder, R. and R. Kissling. 2002. The Efficacy of homeopathy in the treatment of chronic low back pain compared to standardized physiotherapy. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb. 140(5):503-8.
12. Weiner, Debra K. MD; Ernst, Edzard MD, PhD, FRCP: Complementary and Alternative Approaches to the Treatment of Persistent Musculoskeletal Pain. 2004. Clinical Journal of Pain. 20(4):244-255.
13. Fisher P, Greenwood A, Huskisson EC, et al. 1989. Effect of homeopathic treatment of fibrositis (primary fibromyalgia). BMJ ; 299:365–356.
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