Back pain due to muscle soreness and stiffness is one of the common reasons people consult a physician. Although it is smart to rule out any unusual causes of the pain such as spinal stenosis, kidney stones or fibromyalgia, most of the time doctors don’t have a great deal to offer for relief. They may suggest or prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as diclofenac or ibuprofen. One reader discovered that these medications can sometimes backfire and asked whether there are natural products to relieve the pain.
How Can You Ease Lower Back Pain?
Q. I have lower back pain and tightness caused by muscle inflammation. My doctor prescribed naproxen.
After a week my blood pressure increased by 30 points. I stopped taking it and my blood pressure went back to normal.
Can you offer any natural or herbal suggestions for inflammation and muscle pain?
NSAIDs for Back Pain:
A. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren) or meloxicam (Mobic) often raise blood pressure. A Russian study found that people taking an NSAID for back pain were susceptible to blood pressure destabilization and later to more serious problems such as stroke (Terapevticheskii Arkhiv, 2015). In addition, there is an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes (Prescrire International, Jan., 2016). Some people may be especially susceptible to these side effects and should turn to alternatives for relief from pain or inflammation.
Natural Products to Ease Pain:
Natural products such as boswellia or turmeric have anti-inflammatory activity and offer some promise (Nutrition Journal, Jan. 5, 2016). So do cherries, ginger and bromelain, a compound found in pineapples.
Be Aware of Side Effects, Even for Natural Products:
It is important to become well-informed about any of these prior to starting on them. Turmeric, for example, may trigger bleeding, especially if it is taken in conjunction with an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin) (Planta Medica, July, 2013; BMB Reports, April, 2012). Ginger also appears to increase the potential for excess bleeding (Nutrition Journal, May 14, 2015).
Some people develop allergic reactions to natural products, including boswellia or turmeric or its constituent curcumin. Anyone who notices a rash after taking such a product should discontinue it immediately. In addition, there are individuals who may experience stomach upset, nausea or diarrhea after taking either boswellia or turmeric.
Undesired effects of cherries and bromelain have not been widely reported.
Home remedies such as gin-soaked raisins or pectin in purple grape juice also help some people. We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis, so you can get the details on these approaches.
Don’t forget that appropriate physical activity is also important for overcoming back pain. People with severe, long-lasting back pain may wish to listen to our hour-long interview with Dr. David Hanscom about his unorthodox approach to helping them find relief.
