Homeopathy
Arm yourself with Arnica. For people who've experienced back injuries, Arnica is among the most effective homeopathic
medicines, says homeopath Dana Ullman. He suggests using Arnica orally and topically, in pellet and ointment forms, according to the package directions. He may
also recommend oral doses of Hypericum, Rhus toxicodendron, or Bryonia, depending on a person's individual symptoms. To find out which homeopathic medicines
will work best for you, consult a homeopath.
Chinese Medicine
Zero in on the source. Practitioners of Chinese medicine attribute back pain to one
ofthree causes: overuse; invasion of Wind, Cold, or Damp; or weakness in the Kidney organ network, which governs the bones. For overuse, Efrem Korngold,
O.M.D., L.Ac., prescribes strengthening herbs such as astragalus. To expel Wind, Cold, or Damp, he recommends Chinese herbs such as Angelica pubescens,
clematis root, gentian root, chaenomeles fruit, and cinnamon twig. To support the Kidneys, he suggests the herbs dry ginger, eucommia, dipsacus, and
drynaria.
Let your fingers do the working. So many studies have proved acupuncture to be an effective treatment for lower-back pain that it has won the
endorsement of both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health. Of course, acupuncture must be administered by a professional. If you
prefer a self-care approach, try acupressure. Apply steady, penetrating finger pressure to each of the following points for 3 minutes.
Kidney 7, located on your
inner leg, two thumb-widths above your anklebone
Bladder 40, located at the back of your knee, in the hollow of your knee crease
Bladder 60,
located on the outside of your leg, in the hollow between your anklebone and Achilles tendon
Medical Measures
Only 1 percent of people who have
back pain require surgery, Dr. Shiple says. If your doctor recommends surgery, don't rush into it. Get opinions from several back-care specialists before making your
decision. Back surgery is traumatic and requires an extended recovery period. It works best for people who have clear symptoms of nerve damage-primarily
numbness, tingling, or weakness on one side of the body. It doesn't do much for anyone else.
Red Flags
Consult your doctor if you experience
persistent pain or pain that becomes more severe over the course of a week or two, despite home care. You may have an underlying health problem that's making
your back hurt.
The following also warrant immediate medical attention.
Back pain that's accompanied by fever, leg weakness, bladder or bowel
problems, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss
Back pain that develops after abdominal surgery
Unrelenting back pain that interferes with
sleep