Backache

Backache is uncommonly common these days. It has become an occupational hazard in many different kinds of work. People may pull or strain their back muscles while lifting a heavy load or while sitting at a desk in front of a computer. Emotional factors can also lead to back pain, as can injuries, such as from a car accident. Some people may even have a slipped disk, which can lead to severe back pain. Whatever the cause of your backache, the following natural Ayurvedic home remedies will be helpful.

HERBAL REMEDIES. Take yogaraj guggulu, 1 tablet 3 times a day, or 1 tablet of kaishore guggulu 2 or 3 times a day. Both of these special Ayurvedic formulas are available from most sources of Ayurvedic herbs (see Resources).

• Backache can also be relieved by the use of the herb musta, which is a muscle painkiller. Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon 2 or 3 times a day with warm water.
• The herbs tagara and valerian are muscle relaxants. Taking ½ teaspoon of either with some warm water will relax the muscles that may be causing back pain. It will also help induce restful sleep.

Most back pain can be effectively treated with these herbs, but a ruptured or slipped disk often requires intensive medical care.

RUB IN SOME OIL. Rubbing the painful area of the back with mahanarayan oil is also effective for relieving the pain. Vata and pitta types should just rub the oil on the surface, while kapha types should give a deeper massage to the area for some time.

Alternatively, try this procedure: Apply a paste made of ginger powder mixed with sufficient water to the affected area. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, wash it off, and then rub the back with some eucalyptus oil.

(Unless your back pain is in the neck or shoulder area, these back rubs will have to be done by a friend!)

TAKE A HOT HERBALIZED BATH. For extra healing and muscle relaxation, apply the mahanarayan oil on your back and then follow with a hot bath in which you put some ginger powder and baking soda (⅓ cup of each). Soak in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes. You may repeat this bath 2 or 3 times a week, perhaps on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

AN ENEMA CAN HELP. Individuals who suffer from backache often get constipated, and it may be difficult to tell which is the effect and which is the cause. The backache may be due to chronic constipation, or the spasming muscles and anxiety caused by the back pain may induce constipation. In either case, a simple enema of dashamoola tea will help.

Boil 1 tablespoon of dashamoola powder in a pint of water for about 5 minutes, cool it down, and add ½ cup sesame oil. When it is cool enough, use it as an enema, retaining the liquid for 5 to 10 minutes if you can. A dashamoola-sesame oil enema is soothing to vata and will help relieve both the constipation and the pain. (See appendix 3 for enema guidelines.)

GENTLE STRETCHES. Some gentle yoga exercises can help with back pain.

IMPORTANT: All yoga postures should be learned with a trained yoga teacher, but especially when you have a backache, you should not do any yoga postures without expert guidance. This is especially true if your pain comes from a slipped disk.

In general, the following postures may be helpful:

Camel pose Lotus pose

Cow pose
Forward Bend

Spinal Twist Palm Tree pose

Locust pose gentle, modified Fish pose

All these postures may be used both as a preventive measure and to help remedy back pain. But again, be sure to get advice from a trained teacher. (Illustrations of yoga postures appear in appendix 4.)

MORE TIPS TO HELP HEAL BACKACHE

• Backache is often due to excess vata, so it is helpful to reduce your consumption of vata-increasing foods. Avoid most beans, including black beans, pinto beans, adzuki beans, and garbanzo beans. Avoid raw, cold salads. (See chapter 8 for more on the vata-pacifying diet.)
• Avoid exposure to cold weather or cold winds.
• Sit quietly and meditate, or observe your breathing. This will help relax tense muscles. (For help with meditation, see chapter 7.)
• Don’t walk in high-heeled shoes.
• Don’t try to do jogging, jumping, or other strenuous exercise, rather, do some gentle yoga stretching as mentioned above.
• Sexual activity should be minimized.

Following these guidelines will help you heal your aching back as well as avoid back pain in the future.