Backache has become such a common ailment that one can
hardly find a person who has not suffered from it. It can affect both the young
and the old. One of the reasons why it has become so common now-a-days is the
excessive luxury of our everyday lives with few people doing any regular
exercise.
How many of us put equal weight on both legs while standing,
even if we have to stand for just a few minutes? What we do is, either lean
against something or constantly shift our weight from one leg to the other.
A labourer carries heavy weights on his head throughout the
day. Tiring work isn’t it? But in spite of it he walks gracefully and erect at
the end of the day.
On the other hand, an executive, who has spent the day
sitting on his comfortable cushioned chair, is seen slouching and walking with
stooped shoulders. Does he not look even
more tired than the labourer?
Prolonged bad posture – whether while sitting or standing –
will definitely lead to low backache or lumbago. Cervical spondylosis is also a
result of bad posture. Sciatica, an agonizing condition can also develop.
Diseases related to the organs of the pelvic region can also
give rise to acute backache. But this pain is not localized; neither is it
affected by movement. It is a dull continuous ache and can only be got rid of
when the cause is removed.
Continuous low backache in a woman is a warning of a
gynaecological problem. These are usually infections but tumours of the ovary
and uterus cannot be ruled out. Kidney and bladder conditions as well as rectal
and prostatic disorders can also cause back pain.
Results of bad posture
Lumbago: Here the muscles of the loins and their tendons are involved. It usually comes on as seizure in one or both sides of the small muscles of the back. It is of severe cutting or stabbing character, greatly aggravated by movement of the body, especially in attempting to rise or in taking deep breath or when coughing or sneezing.
Cervical spondylosis:
This occurs because of a reduction in the intervertebral disc spaces resulting
in a loss of normal curvature of the neck. This increases pressure on the
respective nerves and blood vessels which, in turn, cause stiffness, pain and
numbness in the neck and arms and giddiness. The most common cause is the
prolonged use of a high pillow while sleeping or reading. Also refer the post Home
Remedies for Cervical Spondylosis
Sciatica: This is
due to an affliction of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is characterized by severe
and sometimes agonizing pain, extending along the great sciatic nerve, which
emerges from the pelvis and runs down the back of the thigh. The pain usually
starts behind the hip joint.
The most painful points are where the nerve emerges from the
pelvis at the lower line of the buttock and about the knee and ankle joints.
The pains are often coupled with a sensation of numbness throughout the whole
thigh. In serious cases of sciatica all movements of the extremity,
particularly while stooping forward or bending the hip with the knee straight,
aggravate the pain.
Thus the patient inevitably becomes bed-ridden. What happens
is that he sciatic nerve, composed of thick strands of nerve ‘wires’ which
distribute power and function to all muscles of the leg, has become gummed-up
in the sheath in which it slides.
* Lift with legs and not with the back. Bend your knees when
you wish to pick up something heavy. Keep your back straight.
* Exercise regularly in order to keep the muscles of the
back strong and healthy. A moderate spell regularly will do more good than
strenuous exercise on rare occasions.
* Drink adequate water. Sometimes dehydration too can lead to
backaches.
* Have more of fruits like Figs
( anjeer) and jamuns.
Eat drumsticks
(sahijan) on a regular basis. These help in strengthening the muscles of the
back.
* Avoid overexertion. A person who is not accustomed to
lifting heavy weights should not try to carry too much at a time.
* Change your position frequently. Avoid cramped sitting
position that brings on fatigue. Move around. Remain flexible.
* Remember that a correct posture will go a long way in
keeping back trouble away. If you have
to sit for long hours, see to it that you are using a good ergonomic chair. And
if you do have backache, do not worry. With proper treatment it will soon go
away. A massage with some of these homemade oils should help.
Homemade oils for backache
Remedy #1
Lepam made with
Neem and Nilgiri Oils
Ingredients required:
Curds (yogurt) ,
Kapur (camphor), (Buy here)
Eucalyptus oil (Nilgiri Oil), (Buy here)
Neem Oil (Buy here)
Remedy #2
Method:
In a pan, take 1 tsp of neem oil and 2 tsp of eucalyptus(Nilgiri)
oil and add ½ tsp or two small tablets of camphor. Slowly heat it on a small flame stirring constantly. Be
careful - the boiling point of eucalyptus oil is very low and it can catch fire
easily. Then transfer it to a bowl. After it cools, add 2 tsp of curds (yogurt) and mix
well. Ask someone to massage this Lepam on your back. After half an hour, if
you wish, you can take a bath with warm water. And you’ll find great relief. A
regular use of this oil can even rid your back of unsightly pigmentation marks
and blemishes. Whenever you get a backache, neckpain, a pain along the spine or
even when your feet ache you can use this oil. It is best to prepare this oil
fresh every day. You can use this oil up to 3 times a day. If you find the
quantity insufficient for thrice a day application, while preparing you may
increase the quantity of the ingredients proportionately.
Remedy #2
Tailam made with
Niligiri oil & Guggulu
Ingredients required:
Guggul ( Indian bdellium,Commiphora
wightii),
Eucalyptus oil (Nilgiri Oil),
Crystal Salt,
Turmeric powder (Buy here)
Method:
In a pan, take 2-3 tsp of eucalyptus oil, add a pinch of
turmeric powder to it and heat it on a low flame taking adequate care. Then add
4 guggulu pieces and stir. It dissolves very quickly. Guggulu
(also used in dhoop) is the ingredient of choice in backache, arthritis, muscle
soreness, sciatica and joint pains . Then add ½ tsp of
crystal salt and stir well. Transfer the
oil to a bowl. Have this oil massaged on your back 15 minutes before a bath. Soon
after oil application, you have to take warm potli massage on your back. For preparing this potli, you have to take a fistful of coarse crystal salt and place
it in the centre of a clean cotton or muslin cloth and then gather the edges
and tie it tightly with a string. Your potli
is now ready. Warm this potli by placing it on a pre-heated
frying pan or tava and ask someone to gently apply pressure with this potli on your oil-massaged back as shown
in the pics below. This massage enables the oil to seep into the skin. Overall
this procedure promotes blood circulation and provides tremendous relief from
pains and muscle spasms.
(Guest Post by Dhanya)
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many things can cause backache, if all the checks reveal nothing it might be muscular, try some Deep Heat or other rub-in treatrment that may eleviate the pain.
ReplyDeleteDrink more water
Sit up straight
walk tall - straighten back
Back massages, warm baths.
ReplyDeleteGet a good message, take a long bath very warm water, use a heat pad( but you must stay awake while using the heat pad.) If u can repeat all of the above twice a day.
ReplyDelete