5 Home Remedies That Will Ease Your Back Pain
Most of us experience back pain at some or the other time. You may have pulled a muscle and the pain lingered on, or you may have been in an injury and hurt yourself. Whatever the reason, a back pain can definitely interfere with your daily routine, especially when it gets worse.
Instead of taking over-the-counter medication or bearing the pain each day, a safe and effective method to ease the pain is to try some remedies at home.
Here are 5 easy and effective home remedies that will help you manage your back pain better.
1. Ice Pack Within The First 48 Hours
- The moment you feel pain in your back, whether due to an injury or otherwise, an ice pack should be your first pain relief option. Using an ice pack within 24 to 48 hours of the pain will help reduce and control the swelling.
- After the first 48 hours, you can move on to a heat pack as well. The reason you should avoid heat during the first 48 hours of pain is that even though it may feel relaxing, it will actually increase the inflammation, instead of reducing it.
- Use the ice pack multiple times through the first 48 hours, but use it for only about 15 to 20 minutes at a stretch.
2. Adjust Your Sleep Position
- When you suffer from back pain, sleeping on your back is the best position to help your back. If you want to go a step ahead, lie down on the floor, with or without a sturdy mattress. Place a pillow under your feet, as it will provide added support to your back.
- If you find it difficult to sleep on your back and want to sleep on your side, place a pillow between your knees. It will help your muscles get adequate support and relax them, bringing down the pain.
- Avoid sleeping on your tummy, as it will aggravate the pain.
3. Epsom Bath Salts
- Did you know that using a bath salt can actually help in reducing the pain? Add a few spoons of Epsom bath salt in a tub of warm water. The salts will move through your skin and reach the muscles where the pain resides.
- It is important to keep the water warm, and not too hot or cold, as else it will not have the desired results.
- Epsom salt is also good for your skin and can act as a natural relaxant.
4. Oil And Herb Massage
- Heat about 4 tbsp. of any one of these oils: mustard oil, coconut oil or sesame oil. Make sure the flame is low and the oil does not heat up too much. Just warm the oil.
- Add 8 to 10 cloves of garlic and keep stirring till they turn slightly brown. Strain the oil, remove from heat and let it cool.
- Once it is cool, use the oil to massage on the area where you feel the pain.
5. Camphor Massage
- Add a few pieces of camphor to half a bottle of coconut oil. Boil the same for about 5 minutes and let it cool.
- Once it is absolutely cool, store it in the bottle.
- Gently apply the oil on the area where you feel the pain. Do this twice a week at bedtime, so that you get enough time to rest and let the oil work.