Perhaps you bent the wrong way while lifting something heavy. Or you’re dealing with a degenerative condition like arthritis. Whatever the cause, once you have low back pain, it can be hard to shake.
Statistics from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) reveal that at least 31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any given time.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF BACK PAIN?
Accidents and sports injuries are the most common causes of chronic back pain. But sometimes, even simple activities or movements – like bending over to pick up an object from the floor – can trigger pain.
There are also a number of other factors that can increase your risk of back pain.
A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE AND TOO MUCH SITTING PUT YOU AT RISK OF BACK PAIN – AND MUCH MORE
There is one common denominator among most patients who suffer from severe cases of chronic pain: sedentary lifestyle. A majority of back, neck and other muscle pains are related to an imbalanced distribution of force throughout your body, which is created by working or staying in unnatural positions for extended periods.
What’s more, prolonged sitting and poor posture are major risk factors of not only back pain, but also of weight gain, obesity, joint problems, nerve problems like carpal tunnel syndrome, and other debilitating diseases. In fact, a mounting research found that prolonged sitting is now an independent risk factor for poor health and premature death—even if you exercise regularly!
HOW TO RELIEVE BACK PAIN NATURALLY
If you are already suffering from chronic back pain or pain of any kind, you should understand that there are many safe and effective alternatives to prescription and over-the-counter painkillers, though they may require some patience.
COMFREY COULD PROVIDE RELIEF FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WITH BACK PAIN, SCIENTISTS CLAIM.
WHAT IS COMFREY?
Comfrey is a plant which grows on wet meadows, fields, and ditches near the water, it can make life easier for millions of people struggling with back pain, say researchers.
An ointment containing the extract of this plant successfully passed testing for five days to fully heal back pain. The researchers examined 120 people with pain in the lower and upper back.
The research was conducted by scientists at the German Sports University in Bonn, and the results were published in the British Journal of Sports Medina. Comfrey root extract is an incredibly powerful and clinically proven to effectively reduce acute pain, according to an explanation of the research results.
Comfrey is known for its unparalleled healing properties. Traditionally used to aid in the healing of wounds, fractures, as well as ulcers.
Comfrey has been known to have been used medicinally since at least the Middle Ages. In the past it was freely used externally to speed healing of wounds and internally to aid cell production and recovery from illness and surgery.In the early 1900’s it was proven to contain a cell-proliferate substance known to promote healing of bone and tissue. However in the 1980’s some scientists reported that contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (in the root more so than the leaves) shown to cause liver damage in lab animals which were injected with large quantities.
Some sources now caution against the INTERNAL use of comfrey. There are many other sources that argue the wisdom behind this caution, as comfrey is usually consumed in much smaller doses and they suggest that perhaps only people with a predisposition to liver problems should stay away from internal use. I personally continue to use comfrey but I limit my use to the leaves, not the root.
WARNING: Young children, pregnant women and people suffering from liver problems should avoid INTERNAL use. (see History above).
For EXTERNAL use care should be taken with very deep wounds as Comfrey may cause them to close up on the surface before they are healed further down. Do not use on dirty wounds as rapid healing may trap dirt.
Consult a qualified Herbalist for more advice if you are concerned.
Parts Used
Roots have similar properties to the leaves. May contain more pyrrolizidine alkaloids than leaves. More nourishing than leaves.
Leaves are mainly used externally in oils and salves for the treatment of sprains, sore joints and other injuries. Contain large amounts of allantoin.
APPLICATIONS
Externally
A poultice of pureed leaves can be applied to speed the healing of minor broken bones e.g. toes, ribs etc. Ointments of comfrey (and often in combination of other herbs) can be used for muscle damage and many skin disorders.
Internally
When combined with Marshmallow and Meadowsweet it is useful when treating Gastric inflammations & ulcers. For chest and bronchial troubles use it with Coltsfoot, White Horehound or Elecampane.
Source: myhealthylifevision.net