More on low back pain from our new Naturopath!

We're excited! We've added a Doctor of Naturopathy to our practice! "What's that?" you ask. A Doctor of Naturopathy practices general medicine from a diagnostic point of view (normal examinations, standard laboratory tests, familiar "diagnoses") but differs in that he prescribes NATURAL medicines, supplements and remedies rather than pharmaceuticals. Dr. Jason Barker, our Naturopath, has some recommendations for you (and others you would like to share these with) for low back pain. Glean what you need! ~ JPC

Naturopathic Treatment of Back Pain

Back pain can have many causes. Most often, back pain is caused by an imbalance between the bones and muscles, to put it very simply. If the muscles of the back (or even the pelvis and legs) are stressed, this can lead to pain and inflammation.

There are several natural medicines that can be used to address back pain that is caused by strained muscles. The following are just a few examples of some natural medicines for back pain.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a highly important mineral used in many ways in the human body. It is essential for normal bone structure and plays an essential role in over 300 cellular reactions! It is critical for maintaining nerve and muscle functions, and it works in the body as a mild muscle relaxant. Magnesium works especially well in people who always have some sort of muscle spasm or tightness, as it relaxes the muscles and lessens pain.
One of the often-mentioned ‘electrolytes’, magnesium needs to be replaced often. Unfortunately, magnesium is rather scarce in our diets, so supplementation may be necessary. Magnesium, like all nutrients, must be taken with caution – excess amounts can cause side effects. Therefore, magnesium supplementation should not take place until one can consult with a nutritionally oriented physician. Dietary sources of magnesium include legumes, whole grains, vegetables (especially broccoli, squash and green leafy vegetables), animal proteins, seeds, and nuts.

Plant Enzymes

Enzymes are a type of nutrient that the body uses for chemical reactions. Taken with food, plant enzymes assist with digestion. Taken away from food, enzymes work to decrease the production of pain-producing chemicals in the body. There are many sources of enzymes; the right combination can be quite effective in reducing pain caused by inflammation and spasm in the back. It is important to use a quality source and correct amount of enzymes when dealing with low back pain. Popular enzymes include bromelain, derived from pineapple and papain derived from papaya.

Herbal Medicines

Herbs are plants with medicinal properties. There are a handful of herbs with pain-relieving qualities. In fact, many of the strong pain relieving drugs are derived from this group of herbs. However, prescription drugs come with a lot of side effects, while pain-relieving herbs work much more gently, yet can be quite effective for pain as well.