Considering the intricate muscular, neural and skeletal structure of the human back, it's surprising that more people don't suffer from a daily back ache. The muscles of the back and the bones of the spine are responsible for maintaining an upright posture regardless of activity or weight-bearing demand. Whenever a back muscle is strained, a nerve becomes pinched or a disk in the vertebrae slips, the result can be serious back pain. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies, including heat therapy, analgesics and bed rest.
One of the best home remedies for back pain is complete bed rest. Whenever a back muscle is strained from overwork or becomes spasmodic, it needs time to recover. A back ache sufferer should be encouraged to lie comfortably on a firm mattress for several hours before resuming light duties. A careful massage of the affected area might also prove helpful, but not if it causes significant pain. Sometimes, the affected muscles must realign themselves before the pain can subside completely.
Another home remedy for a minor back ache is heat therapy. Suffers can spend time in a heated bathtub or jacuzzi to allow strained muscles to loosen and relax. This application of heat can also be effective for pain caused by weight training or other physical activities. An alternative to water therapy may be an electric heating pad placed on the affected area of the back. Even an application of heat-generating sport or analgesic cream can be beneficial for a minor to moderate pain.
The pain of a muscular back ache is often caused by an inflammation of the muscle tissue. This is why many sufferers do not find much relief from standard pain relievers, which do not always address inflammation. Over-the-counter pain relievers that specifically use the term "anti-inflammatory" on the label may help. Some drug companies offer products specially formulated for back pain, so sufferers can ask a pharmacist for a list of available analgesics designed for this purpose.
Recently, a new form of relief for back pain has become popular. Sufferers from a variety of muscular and joint pains can apply a self-heating patch over the affected area. The heat is generated through controlled oxidation, essentially rusting, of a metallic pad covered with an adhesive bandage. As outside air enters the patch, the metal pad delivers a steady supply of heat to the injured area. For minor pain, these over-the-counter heat patches provide the same benefit as an electric heating pad or sports cream.
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