Back Pain
Definition:
Back pain: Pain felt in the low or upper back. Causes of pain in the low and upper back include conditions affecting the bony spine; discs between the vertebrae; ligaments around the spine and discs; spinal inflammation; spinal cord and nerves; muscles; internal organs of the pelvis, chest, and abdomen; tumors; and the skin.
Signs & Symptoms:
Back pain can be caused by a variety of problems with any parts of the complex, interconnected network of spinal muscles, nerves, bones, discs or tendons in the lumbar spine. Typical sources of low back pain include:
The large nerve roots in the low back that go to the legs may be irritated
The smaller nerves that supply the low back may be irritated
The large paired lower back muscles (erector spinae) may be strained
The bones, ligaments or joints may be damaged
An intervertebral disc may be degenerating
Cause:
Your back is a complex structure made up of bones, muscles, nerves and joints. This can often make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the pain.
Most cases of back pain aren’t caused by serious damage or disease but by minor sprains, strains or injuries, or a pinched or irritated nerve.
These types of back pain can be triggered by everyday activities at home or at work, or they can develop gradually over time.
Possible causes of back pain include:
bending awkwardly or for long periods
lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling heavy objects
slouching in chairs
twisting awkwardly
overstretching
driving or sitting in a hunched position or for long periods without taking a break
overusing the muscles “ for example, during sport or repetitive movements (repetitive strain injury)
Back pain sometimes develops suddenly for no apparent reason. For example, you may wake up one morning with back pain and have no idea what’s caused it.
How To Cure:
- Ginger
Ginger root, which is used to cure vomiting, can also be used in the treatment of back pain. The anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger can give you relief from a backache.
Apply some ginger paste on the affected area, followed by eucalyptus oil.
Cut 4 to 6 thin slices of fresh ginger root and put them in one and one-half cups of water. Simmer and boil it on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and strain it. Add honey and then drink it. You can drink this ginger tea two or three times a day for a few days or until you see improvement.
You can also make an herbal tea with one-half teaspoon of black pepper corns, one-half teaspoon of cloves and one teaspoon of ginger powder.
- Basil Leaves
Basil leaves can also come to your rescue when suffering from a backache.
Add 8 to 10 basil leaves to one cup of water and boil it until the water evaporates to half.
Let it cool to room temperature and then add a pinch of salt.
For mild pain, drink this concoction once daily; for severe pain, drink it twice daily.
- Poppy Seeds
Poppy seeds work wonders as remedy of backache.
Grind together 100 gm each of poppy seeds (khus khus) and rock candy (misri).
Consume two teaspoons of this mixture twice daily, followed by a glass of milk.
