The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Neuromuscular Massage
Posted by Tim L. (US) on 05/17/2020
★★★★★
20yrs back, I dealt with a recurring spasm in the lower right side of my back. The Dr that I was seeing at the time could only prescribe muscle relaxers that did nothing and also anti inflammatories that helped a little. His recommendation was to find a Neuromuscular Specialist, like a massage therapist w/sports medicine training. The last episode with this went beyond previous flair ups that I could grin & bare. This last one felt like a hot fire poker stuck in my back with a lighting bolt pain shooting down into my big toe. I couldn't even walk and had me layed up for almost 2 weeks.
I found a specialist that explained to me that a knotted up muscle can remain in our bodies forever and won't even know it's there until the next flair up unless a knowledgeable person can find & reach the problem to apply the right pressure to get it to relax and lay flat again.
Turned out that my issue stemmed from stupid things done in my teen years and had followed me into my late 30's. When she first started working on me there was even more discomfort & pain inflicted.
After 4 or 5 sessions over the course of a couple of weeks.The pain started to ease off,was able to start walking normal again. There was another time months down the road when I went back to her for help...straighten me out again. From my late 30's to present (57soon),I have not dealt with sciatica nerve pain at all but also within the last ten years I have steered clear of all Pharma...even over the counter meds, no aspirin, Tylenol, Ibeprofon and ect . Only depend on natural herbs & oils. Turmeric & Ginger are 2 tops for me. I happened to come across crystallized Ginger at Big Lots today. I tend to snack on it to curb cravings for sweets but it also helps the body feel better.
Cupping Therapy
Posted by Alex (Thessaloniki) on 05/22/2018
I've forgotten to mention that cupping just above the disc herniation might not be a good idea because I don't know if the suction pulls out the herniation even more.
Change the Mattress
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 08/06/2017
Hi M to M,
You mention a chiropractor in your posting, in which you detail your son's lower-back pain.
Ask her if wearing a foam, lower back support during the sleeping hours would assist the alleviation of his problem.
If so, then I am surprized that they did not mention it before!! ?? Wink, wink, nod, nod, say no more!?
A guy I know wears one and would not be without it, as it seems to help him no matter which mattress he sleeps on. This piece of foam is contained in a stocking/mutton cloth with a "tie-on" tail at each end and the foam part conforms roughly to the shape of the area in question. It is just under one inch thick, twenty inches long and about four inches wide from memory. I am old enough to recall the old imperial measurements!!
In the meantime, he could experiment with a (slender), rolled up, long towel laid crosswise over the bed. Too thick and he will be worse off than before of course!! Sure, it moves around a bit but one might get used to it after a while.
This guy says his back can be very stiff in the morning if he forgets to use it.
You could give him your world famous Tendonitis Treatment as an extra precaution of course, as he may have twisted something without realizing it?! More ACV??
Cheers, Michael
Magnetic Field Therapy
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile , Tn) on 05/31/2017
JANET,,,,,,,,,,, the guy who wrote the book, PEMF, is a a Ga Tech guy, so we have things in common. He was just about 30 years behind me. He's a Redneck like me, so you can understand his book. I do think you should read his book before you buy and also research reviews. Reviews usually tell me more than an article because either you are happy or have the ass and both express it in terms that all can relate to.
As I do the shotgun approach, I never know which is doing the solving. I will tell you this. Today, I got my second ozone and blood platelet shot from the integrative doctor down in Ringgold, Ga. He uses a PEMF system to address various ails of his patients. He is no dummy.
We are not wealthy, but spend money on health toys instead of driving two new vehicles full time. My truck is 19 years old and hopefully it will get me out.
As far as results are concerned, my constant back pain is gone. If I spend 3 hours on a hoe, then it is back as it was when a youngster. I cured my poison ivy in two days instead of two weeks. My wife is sleeping better. Oh yeah, the PEMF devices do address bone healing, for certain.
Our system did not cost $9000 but $6000. I did not bust my fanny to leave money to the kids. I got them educated and they can save like we did.
Out of spit and wish you well. ====ORH===
DMSO
Posted by Sarah (Spain) on 11/20/2016
★★★★★
I use DMSO for back pain or if I get pains from working out and it works great. I also used it in a spray bottle with coconut oil to get rid of an abscess and both every time I use it, it's worked great. I have been using a mix of 50-50 ratio. After a bit of research, maybe this is too strong? The only things I don't like about using this product is, it makes my breath smell garlicky or toxic my partner would say and my skin on my lower legs gets really dry, does this happen to anyone else?
MSM and Vitamin C
Posted by Cfitz (Georgia) on 06/15/2022
Hello, Olivia! Beware of synthetic supplements. Here's some info for you:
I've been taking Dr Mercola's LIPOSOMAL (super-absorbent) also contains sunflower lecithin, and MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides). Since the body cannot store Vitamin C, take one 500mg capsule two times a day.
Liposomal Vitamin C has several advantages compared to regular Vitamin C tablets. Firstly, liposomal Vitamin C will protect Vitamin C from degradation from gastric juices, enzymes, change of pH, and oxidation within the gastrointestinal tract. Besides that, Vitamin C can achieve better absorption into our systems because the liposomal formulation can diffuse easily through the intestines into our body.
- - - - -
Natural Vitamin C – This vitamin is readily available in citrus, red bell peppers, berries, and many more fruits and vegetables. In nature it is combined with flavonoids and phytonutrients that help in its absorption and use.
Synthetic Vitamin C – Ascorbic acid is an isolated vitamin from genetically modified corn sugar that is hydrogenated and processed with acetone. It does not include the flavonoids and phytonutrients that make it work.
There are two forms of Vitamin C variety: L and D. The L variety can be found in both natural and synthetic forms of ascorbic acid. It's the best form of Vitamin C to take. You absorb L-ascorbic acid naturally from fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. Most supplements also carry a synthetic version of the L variety. Meanwhile, D-ascorbic acid cannot be found in nature. Chemically, it looks identical to the L variety, but D-ascorbic acid differs at the molecular level. It is not used in supplements because it cannot be synthesized by the body.
Source: https://sunwarrior.com/blogs/health-hub/natural-vs-synthetic-vitamins and
https://sunwarrior.com/blogs/health-hub/natural-vitamin-c-versus-synthetic-vitamin-c
Peppermint Oil
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, US) on 07/14/2014
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I am long overdue to go to the chiropractor. (I have scoliosis and if I go to the chiropractor once a month my back is usually pretty good.) Anyway, I haven't been for months. I have one spot on my upper back that is really bothering me. I also have some nerve pain and numbness on and of in my arm and fourth finger. (This means I am way overdue for the chiropractor! I have had it happen before.) Meanwhile, I have used ice and peppermint essential oil and this gives me a measure of relief for a few hours after application.
I sit with a frozen rice sock on the pained spot in my back, or rub neat (undiluted) peppermint essential oil on my back on the spot that bothers me a lot. After a while, I realize the pain is a lot less. The peppermint was especially helpful yesterday when I was away from home and didn't have my frozen rice sock. I always keep peppermint essential oil in my purse (and a few other oils.)
I think both of these things work because they are helping to reduce inflammation.
Ok, now I will go and call the chiropractor. :)
~Mama to Many~
DMSO
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn) on 08/28/2016
HI U JANET,,,,,,,,,,,,, thank you for your input. As you know I's getting lots of suggestions and can only do so much. I will add your post to my file and get to it when others fail.
What is messing up my mind is that sitting cures my pain. Standing or sleeping causes my pain to come back. Need a really smart dude to figure this one out. It seems to be a structural thing.
The spine doctors have no clue, except shots.
=====ORH============
Stretching
Posted by Sms27 (Princeton, NJ, USA) on 06/01/2013
★★★★★
I'd like to share a stretch exercise that has helped me relieve pain and stiffness after herniated dics in lower back. Note that this has worked some time after the injury, when the disc is not as painful, but you still feel joints being stuck and pulling on muscles. I lie on the floor on a mat or even surface and position my legs like a scissors (you can stretch to the extent the you feel comfortable but still feel some pressure) and then stretch my arms behind my head creating a pull away from the hip joints, which then crack and release the stiffness. I do it several times a day, morning and evening, especially after sitting for extended periods of time and it has helped me better than physical therapy. It's kind of like cracking your fingers but on larger joints.
Tailbone Pain Remedies
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 03/14/2013
Yes, Tailbone pain really sucks. If it is overwhelming get in the tub with some epson salt and soak , Take a large glass or two of water in there and drink it while you soak, I like to take an apple with me and put sea salt on it and eat while I soak and drink. The body signals get tricked by the water into thinking the pain is coming from a larger area and the signals get diminished.
Get a core ball (65 cm) to sit on to take the pain off the bone , you don't have to fill the ball too full and you sink into it as a cushion. You can increase muscle once you adjust to the core ball by doing some slow movements on it. My core is tightening up more with each passing day.
I ruptured L-5 and 4 3 2 were bulging ... Pain in the pattootie really sucked!
Sleep with a pillow under your legs near your rear to take pressure off the lower spine. I wrap a gel pack that is frozen in a dish towel and ice the spine in bed or sometimes a recliner to stop any inflammation pain.
Constipation can make spinal issues worse, Magnesium citrate -might help and I love coconut oil for improved overall health
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Beamer (Brissy) on 03/25/2021
I have found eating 2 leaves a day of pennywort (Centella Asiatica) relieves pain in a few days. The next time you have a flare, take activated charcoal and fibre like psyllium husk - you can also take these at the time of falling off the diet wagon.
Cayenne
Posted by Mark (Newton Abbot, Uk) on 11/02/2012
★★★★★
Cayenne pepper cured my coccyx pain that came on after a prolapsed lower disc, read up on cayenne on this site.
Ginger
Posted by Scarletty (Champion, Nebraska) on 05/04/2010
★★★★★
Joyce, You should really try eating crystalized ginger! My brother has had extremely bad back pain for years and was researching natural cures last saturday and came across the add for ginger. He bought some saturday night and on monday morning he didnt have any back pain! I thought that was pretty amazing and wanted to share it with you all!! Good luck and God bless!!
Water
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, Ga, Usa) on 03/26/2010
★★★★★
I have linked an occasional sudden onset of lower back pain to my kidneys. I have discovered two things that will cause my lower back to suddenly start to ache.
1. Dehydration. I tend to drink a lot of caffeinated black tea during the day and probably not nearly enough water to make up for the dehydrating tea. Occasionally my lower back will start to ache if I've had too many cups of tea, which is my signal to hydrate quickly! If I drink several glasses of water over the course of an hour, my lower back pain will go away within an hour or two.
2. Certain supplements. I bought vitamin d3 made from lanolin last week and started back on 8,000 a day after throwing out my d-3 that contained cod liver oil (see my post on the vitamin d page). However, my kidneys aren't liking the lanolin! Again, a sudden onset of lower back pain about an hour after taking the d3. It took longer for my back pain to disappear this time. ... at least 12 hours or more with lots of water. I tested the supplements 3x, with a few days in between, and each time got back pain. Yikes! A good kidney cleanse is in order. Lisa, got any good juicing recipes for the kidneys?!
Oil Pulling
Posted by Toomuchswagger (Atlanta, Ga) on 10/12/2009
★★★★★
Benefits of using Sesame Oil for Oil Pulling Therapy
I tried Sesame Oil after experiencing severe back pain from a tramatic injury to my tailbone and my coccyx bone became misaligned, which caused severe pain when I'm sitting down. I also have chronic knee pain, stomach pains, occasional headaches and an infection on the right side of my mouth. I began the oil pulling therapy on July 21, 2009 and after 3-4 weeks I saw a noticeable decrease in my back pain. I used to have difficulty being seated for periods longer than one hour and had horrible pain after riding in a car or driving for long distances. I have experienced such remarkable improvements in my results that I was able to drive from Georgia to Maryland with no pain in my back or my knee, 5 weeks after I began oil pulling therapy. I no longer have headaches or pain in my stomach. I have also noticed that the pain in my mouth is gone because the infection has obviously disappeared!! I feel absolutely wonderful that I am now pain-free and I have accomplished this without surgery or chemical drugs and medication. I am happy to say that my girlfriend and family members have now begun oil pulling therapy.
Ball Point Pen Technique
Posted by Teresa (St Louis, Mo) on 05/12/2010
★★★★★
The reason why this works is because you are doing a flush on your lymphatics, taping the sides inside and out of your legs(tender points) this gets rid of junk in your trunk!
Ball Point Pen Technique
Posted by Bm (New Zealand) on 12/29/2015
Could be you are stretching your hamstrings. Tight hamstrings can cause lower back pain. Clever to use the marks.
Ball Point Pen Technique
Posted by Clay (KY) on 08/19/2023
I too have been dealt with back problems for years pretty much the same thing you described. And thank you for being so thorough and concise. You spent a lot of time describing and it is much appreciated. One thing you mentioned that stood out to me was the word "fear" and the statement that you felt nothing was damaged. I believe all of that wholeheartedly, especially fear. Dr John Sarno wrote books on getting rid of back pain and his method works for me. When you got rid of the fear according to him and had the belief that physically you are okay gradually start to make more movements physical and mental and then stay with that. He mentioned that anxiety based on internalized rage was a precursor to an episode I found that to be my case. His instructions were to own it and get rid of it, get rid of the fear and realize that you're mad as hell about something and that you are the one who is in control. I do have episodes every few years but I go back to that process and it works. As with anything we do I'm not saying it will work for everyone but it is definitely worth looking into.
Heel Lifts
Posted by Handyman (Jonesborough, Tenneessee) on 05/06/2009
★★★★★
Hi for my back, I was told this by my doc....An I quote he say I will tell you what is wrong with your back in 20 minutes. WOW I thought. ( 1st let me tell you about him, he is old school, he is 75 yrs young...lol) Any way he took ex-rays, on my lower back an legs an show me on my legs, he put a ruler on the ex-rays an showed me that one leg was almost 1/4 inch shorter than the other, an wrote a script to go to the leather shop an make me a lift out of leather. (about the middle of the foot to the heal, an slipped in under my shoe liner) Well that day I ask him, how come other doc's did not know this an he said......O Mitch they did know, that it would put them out of business, he said that the doc would send you home, WITH DRUGS, an come back next week, for a check up. (PAID HIM TWICE). Also he said that the Chiropractor would like me to keep coming back all the time so they could make alot of money. So then I ask him how is it that one leg is shorter than the other, an he told me that most people have that problem, cause as you are growing, you most of the time carry everything on one side. (exsample If you are RIGHT HANDED that the right leg would be shorter.......now this made sense to me cause I am LEFT HANDED an my left leg WAS shorter than the other. PRETTY SMART HUH well it made sense to me. Needless to say my back was much better, an has been for yrs, hardly ever any pain unless I over do it. An o did i tell you that I was in terrible pain for 11 yrs, an I seen all kind of doctors, also 4 chiroprators. My doc told me no offence to you but I would just like to see you only twice a year for your check ups. Great doctor huh! Well I hope this info my help some one out, it worked for me. I really like this site.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Sceptic (Atlanta, Ga) on 06/19/2012
★★★★★
I was ready to destroy you with a pissed off response, but 10-15 sec later.... whoa?!!! I don't know what is going on, or how it happens, or if it's a placebo effect, but the pain went away.
I started taking about a couple tablespoons at the start and end of the day. The pain isn't totally gone, but it dropped significantly (maybe 8 to a 4). I tried to make it hurt because I couldn't believe it, I succeeded, but it wasn't quite as painful pre coconut oil. I rubbed more on and pain dropped again. I really don't know how it works, but I'm just thankful. 10-15 seconds, I can't believe it.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Erin (Naperville, IL) on 08/09/2008
★★★★★
Coconut oil is wonderful for back pain! I hurt my back the day before leaving for vacation and worried all morning about it. I tried using the heating pad, the massager, taking some ibuprofren (my last resort), but nothing helped. A few hours later, I gave my dog a treat with coconut oil on it (which she loves) and as I was scooping it out, I took a bit of the coconut oil for myself. About 10 minutes later, I felt almost no pain and I began to wonder why. Could it be the coconut oil? I checked it out online and found some people who said they had success with it for back pain, so I took more. I am so pleased with how good I feel and how quickly it worked! I am taking it on my trip with me now and will always do so in the future!
Magnesium
Posted by Helen (Beirut, Lerbanon) on 03/30/2008
★★★★★
Thanks for earth clinic and for Ted, my daughter has Scoliosis and she is suffering from back pain ,I'm giving her Magnesium 250 mg daily ,since it stopped her pains she is taking 500 mg daily ,it cured her pains ,thanks Ted but I want to know if the dose is too much for her ,she is 13 years old.
Eliminate Dairy
Posted by Chris (Atlanta) on 02/18/2007
★★★★★
Had crazy making lower back pain from age 14(!) to 25 when finally my new therapist told me to go off dairy and give it a chance for only 3 weeks. I gave it a chance although my "diet" up to then was probably made out of up to 60% dairy products. after 3 weeks my back pain was COMPLETELY GONE! dairy sucks!!!
Pennywort
Posted by Beamer (Brissy) on 03/25/2021
★★★★★
I have found eating 2 leaves a day of pennywort (Centella Asiatica) relieves back pain in a few days.
Just collect them and chew them up. They have very little taste. It takes a few days to start feeling relief.
Boswellia
Posted by Harpon (UK) on 03/04/2019
★★★★★
I started using Boswellia for 2 herniated discs in my lower back 3 months back.
I take one capsule twice a day along with a turmeric curcumin supplement. Very helpful, took a couple of weeks to get relief. May try White Willow and Devil's Claw as I read those help too with pain reduction.
Water
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 06/11/2018
I did this too and I can warn you not to add water or salt too fast. The body that is starved will be in hoard mode for a while and you need to increase this gradually. Take it from someone who got huge ankles with a ruptured back that couldn't walk it off. By the way... walk. Also, the extra water will deplete minerals so I give you a heads up to keep those in balance, especially magnesium. I love Dr. Batmanghelidj. congrats on your keto diet, my friend did that and lost 50 pounds last year. You also may need borax which is a mineral our body uses to keep calcium out of soft tissues and in bone and teeth. Read about it
Source: https://ted.earthclinic.com/remedies/borax2.html
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 12/07/2014 384 posts
Borax protocol update:
It is fine to even start as low as 1/16 of teaspoon of borax in a liter of water if you want to prevent side effects but beneficial effects will also take more time to see results. It will still work the same. The length of taking it is always longer also. But also discontinuance dose depends on the amount of dose to begin with. Instead of couple of days it may be extended to weeks or months depending on initial dose. Some people just want to prevent fluoride poisoning, or lack of fertility due to fluoride so they may take much lower dose such as dipping your fingertip in borax and adding that to water. Some have fluoride poisoning so they take higher dose. Some need much much more for topical application such as itchy groin or candida and apply either borax powder because of biofilm in areas of groin and needed to get rid of it quickly because it is socially embarrassing. Because the fungus or mold is almost completely ignored by the medical system worldwide and the lack of availability of borax at the same time the potential for borax as one of the remedies is so explosive since my decision to make postings as far back in 2004, but their use remains suppressed still. Whatever lower dose it will be fine depending on your willing to wait. But the original dose I posted in 2004 was the maximum median tolerable dose. So any lower dose is acceptable. For men is generally 1/4 teaspoon and women is generally 1/8. And your weight also depends on it such as 1/8 if you weigh 100 pounds. I could write a whole book on just borax but I don't have the time. What I can say is a lot of wrongly diagnosed disease is the mold/fungus and it can be solved by borax and other non conventional supplements, such as allergies, blood clots caused by fungus, bone condition too numerous to mention.
Ted
Coconut Oil
Posted by Alex (Thessaloniki, Greece) on 05/12/2018
I tried this Lajin stretch and immediately my lower back muscles felt less tension and pain. I held up against my wardrope each leg for about 1-2 minutes and my back lying on the floor. Tried the McKenzie exercises the previous days and failed to give me improvement in fact I came to a point of being unable to walk due to pain and spasm. I hope Lajin will not just help for a few hours. Although most physiotherapists say not to bent forward and stretch when having acute back pain from herniated disc this helped without giving the spine much weight to lift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiujm52YfFY
Recommended Books
Posted by Tor H. (San Francisco, Ca) on 02/03/2018 1 posts
★★★★★
Anyone with back pain needs to read Healing Back Pain by John Sarno, MD.
When I was in my thirties I had serious back pain and sciatica, to the point where I was unable to drive longer distances. I literally had to stop and stretch every thirty minutes to get at least some relief for the pain. Meds didn't help, neither did acupuncture. Chiropractic helped for about ten minutes.
I found the book in a book store. I read it. It suggested no exercises, no stretching, no dietary changes.
I made no changes, except some suggested mental adjustments, which can be summed up as increased awareness. Two weeks later my back pain got better until it eventually disappeared, albeit with the occasional return. I am now 59 and pain-free.
What gives? Dr. Sarno explains the mind-body connection of back pain. In the simplest of terms we use our backs to express tension; the tension causes reduced blood flow, and the soft tissue responds with spasms and pain.
The ten bucks I spent on that book was the best ten bucks I spent on anything. If you are searching high and low for relief, this could be the answer.
Magnetic Field Therapy
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 03/07/2017
Well now ORH I will have to contest that final assertion of yours. Bold Claim that one! My son launched his flash second-hand "mega kayak" (too heavy to lug very far! ) for just the second time, day before yesterday. Normally an accomplished fisherperson, he was more hopping mad than I can recall seeing him the first trip out, when a single, good-sized fish slipped from his slippery grasp! This time we launched him into the briny, when a whole school of good-sized trevally leapt out of the water as if signalling a good omen. We are heavily back into omens at the moment. Probably a kingfish or a bronze whaler shark chasing them I suppose. Always worry when they paddle off into the sunset, even though they are thirty seven, especially when the last glimpse you get of them from my high vantage point was of him paddling amidst a hostile foaming reef!! Next thing you know he has returned with four very nice snapper for dinner. Took a while to prepare by moonlight (and one of those nifty head lamps). Much time spent slapping mosquitoes and exchanging tall tales! We don't waste much, as we turn the trimmings into a good, sustaining fish and onion soup. Any small bits deemed non-edible go into my small, prime vegetable patch as part of the good cycle of sustaining life. Nowt like fresh snapper though! Cannot afford to buy it any more, as prices are silly these days. Thanks son-drop by any time! Does he come to see his ole pa or cos of the good fishing? I am too old to lug his kayak. Sad really. Gotta look after what little back I have left. The fish are quite safe from me for the most part!!
Cheers, M
