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Topic
of the Month
Backache
Backache is one of the most common ailments prevalent
today. Sedentary living habits, hazardous work patterns and psychological
conditions associated with emotional stress, which bring about spasm of the
muscles, cause backaches. As the back bears the weight of the entire body,
overweight persons feel the strain on the back when they have to carry an extra
load. Also called lumbago, lumbosacral pain.
Symptoms:
In most cases of backache, the pain usually felt either in the middle of
the back or lower down. It may spread to both sides of the waist and the hips.
In a condition of acute pain, the patient is unable to move and is bedridden.
About 90% of backache patient suffer from what is called cervical and lumber
spondylosis. It is a degenerative disorder in which the different vertebrae
adhere to each other through bony unions. As a result of this, the spine loses
its flexibility.
The main causes of backache and spondylosis are muscular tension, straining of the
joints of the joints, poor posture and incorrect nutrition resulting from the
dietetic errors and lack of exercise. Other causes include stress and strain
resulting from sitting for a long time, improper lifting of weights, high heels
and emotional problems, which may cause painful muscle cramping.
Herbal
Remedies
Garlic:
The most important home remedy for backache is
the use of garlic .2 or 3 cloves should be taken every morning to get results.
Oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give great relief. This
oil is prepared by frying ten cloves of garlic in 60ml of oil in a frying pan
.Any of the oils, which are used as rubefacients, such as mustered oil, sesame
oil, and coconut oil can be used according to one’s choice. They should be
tried in on a slow fire till they are brown. After the oil has cooled it should
be applied vigorously on the back, and allowed to remain there for three hours.
The patient may, thereafter take a warm water bath. This treatment should be
continued for at least fifteen days.
Lemon:
Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of
one lemon should be mixed with common salt taken by the patient twice daily. It
will give relief.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C has proved valuable in case of severe backaches.
About 2,000 mg of this vitamin should be taken daily for treating this
condition. Considerable improvement will be noticeable with in two days.
Potato:
Raw potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, characterized by incapacitating pain in the lumber region, especially in the
lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the form of a poultice has
been found very effective in this condition.
Diet:
The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of
a salad of raw vegetable such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish,
lettuce, and at least two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables such as
cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, carrot and plenty of fruits except bananas. The
patients should avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods, curd, sweetmeats and sugar, condiments, tea and coffee. Foods that have been processed for
preservation have few nutrients and should also be eliminated from the diet.
Ayurvedic
supplements:
Agnitundi Bati
Rumartho / Yograj Guggul (pills)
Erand Pak
Maharassandi Kadha
Mahavishgarbha Taila
Life
style:
Smoking or taking tobacco in any from should be given
up completely. Hot formentation, alternate sponging, or application of heat to
the back will also give immediate relief
Yogas that
can help:
Bhujangasa.
Shalabhasana
Halasana
Savasanaa.
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