It might be that your tolerance to pain is higher than others, but there aren’t many women that can put up with the pain of a ruptured ovarian cyst and say it doesn’t bother them. If you are living with cysts, it can be both painful and expensive. But there comes a time when something has to be done. Regrettably, traditional medicine does tend to lean towards drugs or surgery, both these options can be expensive and there are no guarantees.

The good news is cysts can be treated with just a little change in your diet, this is very easy to do and you can apply it in your life today. But that said, because every woman’s body is different it’s hard to say what can work for one and not the other.

But it has to be said, there are a few things that you can try immediately as a home treatment. First is relieving pressure on the lower abdomen, which is a good way of easing the severe pain of cysts. This might mean wearing a looser pair of pants, drinking plenty more water is another. As you know stress is one of the worst things for the body, in combination with ovarian cysts, can be a nightmare.

Herbal remedies are a great stress reliever, so sit down with a hot cup of herbal tea and apply a heating pad on your pelvic region. This is certain to bring comfort and ease away the stress. This is one of the simplest of ovarian cyst home treatments you can try.

Here are the 15 most well-known natural solutions for back pain and to help guarantee back health. Not only are they secure, they are affordable too…

Acupuncture. The traditional Chinese medicinal art of acupuncture has long been known for alleviating chronic back pain. Back pain starts, in line with practitioners, when energy pathways in the body are blocked. The procedure works by making use of long, fine needles, which are inserted into these energy pathways to be able to unclog them. Opioids in the body are launched when this treatment is undertaken and in line with many research, these bodily substances help loosen the sympathetic nervous system which in turn lowers pain.

Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 and other B complex vitamins are the ideal treatment, in accordance with many neurologists, when it pertains to neurological problems like nerve disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, as well as pain. Pain and disability can be lessened with regular intake of B vitamins either orally or through injections.
Besides that, Vitamin B12 have the added advantages of minimizing numbness and paresthesias (“pins and needles” sensation), reduce the fine tremors of Parkinson’s disease, improve memory, and reduce depression and irritability.

Magnesium. Magnesium is a very essential mineral that is involved in vital biochemical processes in the body. The mineral works by protecting the normal functioning of the muscles and nerves, and aids in keeping the bones solid. Besides its beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, it also gives support to the immune system and the cardiovascular system. The deficit of magnesium in a body can bring about muscle cramps and pain which is quite noticeable for athletes. Magnesium supplements are a must for people who are into heavy exercises to be able to alleviate aches and pains.

Vitamin D. Found in many research, the lack of Vitamin D in the body can bring about chronic musculoskeletal pain. People who are at danger of developing chronic pains as a result of a deficiency of this vitamin include races with darker pigmented skin (like Asians, Hispanics and African-Americans), those with very few sun exposure, individuals taking glucocorticoid medications for allergies and lung disorders, and digestive tract disorders (like celiac disease). Through increased exposure to sunlight, increased intake of fortified milk, and cereals, and small-boned fish, Vitamin D deficit can be turned around.

Capsaicin Creams. Capsaicin is the ingredient in chili peppers that triggers the mouth to burn. Made as topical cream products, capsaicin functions by depleting the pain transmitter substance P in the skin, producing a pain-relieving effect. When applied four times a day for a period of 3 weeks, considerable pain relief can be achieved.

White Willow Bark. Similar to aspirin, white willow bark includes salicin which becomes salicylic acid when taken orally to help ease pain. However, not like aspirin which may trigger gastric irritation, willow bark extract is healthier and provided rapid relief in chronic pain patients that is comparable to Cox-2 pain drugs.

Yoga. Relief for chronic lower back pain can be given through this soft but rigorous exercise by conditioning the muscles and increasing the flexibility of the body. Unlike traditional exercises, yoga uses a variety of postures that produces a balance on both the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

Breathing Techniques. A separate healing discipline, many people confuse breathing techniques as being part of yoga. These techniques involve the application of the connection between the mind and body by making the person conscious of essential aspects in his body through meditation, such as breathing and movement. Through controlled abdominal breathing, it helps to relax both the mind and body, resulting not only in lowered soreness, but also stress relief.

Chiropractic. The spine is realigned and manipulated in this technique to bring back the flexibility in the joints. Muscle rigidity is diminished by adding steady force to the spine which in turn relieves stress, irritation, and soreness. Patients with acute back pain and sciatica benefit most from chiropractic.

Massage Therapy. Massage is probably the most well-known method of relieving back aches and pains, particularly among pregnant women. Through massage, subacute and chronic pain can be alleviated. It can also help the body to relax, thus alleviating stress and depression.

Bowen Therapy. While most folks think of Bowen Therapy as a type of massage, it is highly specialized type of body work that employs mild strokes of thumbs and fingers. The treatment entails pulling the skin away from the muscle, applying strong force on special receptors found in the muscle, and then swiftly relieving the stress. Pressure on these receptors results in the sending of nerve impulses to the brain, generating muscle relaxation and pain relief.

In contrast to a massage, Bowen Therapy is not a continuous form of treatment, as the therapist has to make the client rest for a few minutes between each move. Based upon the patient’s condition, a typical Bowen session may last between 30 minutes to as long as an hour. In current years, Bowen Therapy is being practiced by licensed therapists to enhance the immune system of patients struggling with cancer.

Alexander Technique. Developed by Australian actor Frederick Matthias Alexander, the Alexander Technique is usually noted as an effective way of relieving pain in many medical articles. Poor body practices such as slouching is corrected by this technique thus reducing back pain. The result is relaxation of muscle tension, greater flexibility and pain lessening. There are a number of websites on the internet that supply videos on the ideal way to conduct the Alexander Technique.

Prolotherapy. Impaired tendons and ligaments in the back can bring about instability in the spinal vertebrae which in turn will bring about chronic back pain. Soreness is eased when the immune system starts to fix the induced local inflammation, by undertaking prolotherapy, on the tendons and ligaments.
Prolotherapy can bring about mild pain, which is why it should be performed by a medical doctor (M.D.), osteopath (D.O.), or state-licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.). A patient may need 10 to 25 sessions relying on the intensity of the back pain.

Balneotherapy. Relief and healing can be provided to numerous back aches and pains by going to mineral hot springs. This type of therapy can be undertaken at home and it is often known as balneopathy. This therapy entails bathing in warm water or mineral water. Scientific studies have proven that balneotherapy has generated pain relief and improved mobility in lower back pain sufferers. This therapy, however, is not advised for individuals with heart disorders.

Music Therapy. Lower back pain can also be eased through the application of music, which sounds quite amazing. Research conducted on music therapy has shown a decrease not only in discomfort, but also in disability, depression, and stress among patients of chronic pain. Of course, the type of music is also very important. Music genres that have been found to have pain-relieving effects are classical music and ballads. On the other hand, stress and heart rate can be heightened with rapid rhythms like hip hop and rock.

Back pain is one of the most prevalent reasons people seek health care. It is the UK leading cause of disability and one of the main reasons for work-related sickness absence.

In most instances, people are suffering from lower back pain. One of the top causes for that sort of injury are sprains (overstretching one or more of the ligaments in the back) and strains (a rip or tear in the muscle caused by sudden force). This can happen from an injury, poor posture, or improper lifting.

Sciatica is another common form of pain in the back. Sciatica is a term used to describe pain that extends down into the buttocks and leg which comes from an irritation of a larger nerve in the lumbar spine called the sciatic nerve. Sciatica can go with sprains, strains, herniated discs.

Back pain can also happen during pregnancy, because of stress, viral infection or kidney infection.

Research has shown that acupuncture can help back pain by providing pain relief, improving muscle stiffness and joint mobility and reducing inflammation.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on best practice now recommend that General Practitioners offer a course of 10 sessions of acupuncture as a first line treatment for persistent, non-specific low back pain.

The Acupuncture point of view:

The aim of acupuncture is to restore the flow of energy in the body to promote self-healing. Different techniques can be used: needling but also cupping (vacuum cups to help relax the muscles, improve blood and energy flow) and moxibustion (a warming technique which involves burning tightly packed herbs near the patient skin on a needle or with a stick).

When treating back pain, an acupuncturist will palpate your back to find the areas that are the most sensitive and needle those. But it is also possible to use distal points, acupuncture points that are further away from the area of pain, usually on the hands and feet. These are just as efficient as local points and are particularly suitable in case of an acute injury.

He/she might also check where are the restrictions in movement and where is the pain associated with a certain movement (referred pain).

Cupping will help improving the blood flow in the area and relax the muscles.

Moxibustion, because of its warming effect, helps relaxing the muscles, especially if the area is cold to the touch.

Finally, the acupuncturist will also choose constitutional points to work on the root causes of the problem, i.e. what sort of imbalances are present that made the body weaker and therefore more prone to back pain.

This is an important point of an acupuncture treatment. As a holistic therapy, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine always seek to treat the whole person and not just the symptoms. By concentrating both on the symptoms (reducing pain) and on the root cause of the problem (the energetic imbalances in the body), acupuncture can achieve long lasting relief and avoid a pattern of recurring back pain.

Stress can have many triggers and many different effects on people. In our modern world, people are often under daily pressure to achieve increasing numbers of tasks in shorter periods of time.

Stress may contribute to lowered immunity and can be a significant factor in the development of symptoms of both physical and mental illness.

One common physical symptom of stress is muscle tension. This often results in pain such as headaches, backache and a sore neck.

Common psychological symptoms of stress are depression, anxiety, or general difficulty coping with everyday tasks

Stress can also increase the severity of existing health complaints such as problems with digestion, period pain, and asthma.

Often, the physical symptoms of stress themselves can lead to further feelings of stress, which can result in a vicious cycle. This cycle can put people at risk of serious health problems such as stomach ulcers or severe anxiety and depression.

By treating the physical symptoms of stress, your Massage Therapist can help reduce muscle tension and pain. This allows you to feel physically more comfortable and can help make things seem easier to cope with. Massage Therapy can also make sure that the systems of the body (eg: digestive/ respiratory/ circulatory), are all working efficiently and effectively to help reduce other symptoms that may be caused or aggravated by stress

Massage Therapy can also have a profound effect on the mind. It can help to improve the circulation of “feel good” hormones around the body, affecting the way you think and feel. This can help to promote a sense of calm and wellbeing.

Soothing touch encourages a natural and positive psychological response. A mother comforting a crying child by gently rubbing its head would be an example of this.

Massage Therapy can help to soothe your stress away.

Pain

Pain relief can be brought about by a reduction in muscle tension.

The following types of pain can be treated by your Massage Therapist by reducing muscle tension in muscle groups surrounding/ connected to the area of pain:

Headache
Backache
Period Pain
Muscle Strain
Some types of Arthritis

Some other types of pain may also by reduced by massage therapy:

Cramps can be reduced by reducing the involuntary contraction of muscles.

Abdominal pain caused by digestive problems may be reduced by improving the efficiency of the digestive system.

Sinus pain can be reduced by encouraging the drainage of fluid from the face, thus reducing pressure build up.

In cases of severe pain and discomfort, the area may be too painful to allow your Massage Therapist to touch the affected area. In such cases, you must discuss this with your massage therapist, who may advise you to consult your doctor.

Inversion tables work by using gravity to ease the effects of back pain; this method of treatment is known as inversion therapy. When using a table, you are put into a less stressful position than you would be if you were standing or sitting. This can have the beneficial long-term effect of reducing pain. Several companies produce inversion therapy products, such as the teeter inversion table, boots, and special chairs.

You can find relief from not only back pain but also from a host of ailments by using inversion therapy. An inversion table, if regularly used, improves your posture and blood circulation, brings more oxygen to the brain and helps in fighting some mental problems such as depression by reducing stress. Some studies have pointed out that use of an inversion table could also lessen the signs of aging.

If you are using an inversion table then you should take certain pracautions. When you try it for the first time then do have an expert person who has used it before along with you to solve your queries or difficulties. You should stop using any inversion method if you are pregnant, have heart disease, have high blood pressure, or have certain eye diseases like glaucoma, otherwise there is risk of affecting your health.

Inversion tables may be a little expensive. A table will cost up by one to two hundred dollars. If you find some sale on inversion tables, it will reduce your expenses; if not, find vendor that has a return policy just in case it happens.

Like any alternative treatment, it is not a 100% cure-all, but studies have found that it can produce remarkable results in many. It is certainly worth a try if you are looking for something new to ease your pain. If you are one of the millions of people who struggle with chronic back pain, then inversion therapy and inversion tables may be just the solution you have been looking for.

Topping our list is massages ability to relieve anxiety. Like many other mental issues stress is one of the biggest contributing factors to anxiety. Massages are one of a few obvious treatments to help relax the body and relieve this stress, having regular massages can even permanently reduce stress levels in day to day life.

Relieving sleep issues. With the hectic lifestyles many of us lead developing a problem sleeping is quite common. Taking a moment out of your hectic life to relax with a good massage can provide the escape you need to re-tune your sleeping, affording you a sound nights sleep and refresh your energy levels.

Improving circulation and relieving heart conditions. Receiving regular massages can help improve blood circulation around the body, and so help increase the flow of oxygen to vital organs and muscles. This can lead to a renewed energy and in some cases can even relieve excess stress on the heart. Used in combination with traditional medical treatments it can help speed treatment of heart related health issues.

Reducing muscular pain and sore joints. A traditional massage is a great way to relieve knotted muscles and release built up tension. The release will quite often stop niggling muscular pains that may have been causing you problems for months. Back pains, migraines, and general joint pains can all be reduced through massage.

Improving skin condition. Through the use of essential oils and massage techniques general skin health can be improved. The relaxing of the skin and the conditioning effect of the oils can reduce occurrence of dry skin and give you a healthy glow. Regular massage treatment like this can also reduce the appearance of wrinkle and ward off the signs of early aging.

These are just a few of the fantastic benefits you can get from a massage and a trip out on a spa break has many other fantastic treatments on offer too. If this sounds like a great idea to you why not joining all the other spa seekers out there, hunt down your local spa and treat yourself to a day of pampering.

Every person on the face of the earth is unique. Their body chemistry is different than anyone else’s. One person may find relief from their migraine headaches with one type of treatment while someone else may try that same treatment and find no relief at all. No two people will experience the same reaction from the same treatment. But why is that?

Every body is made up of a mixture of chemicals. Every person produces certain chemicals in their body so that they will be able to function at their best. Histamines will increase gastric secretion and dilate the capillaries. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas and helps regulate the blood sugar levels. Hormones are produced by the body for many different functions. Adrenaline (epinephrine) is produced in response to stress. Every body is unique and produces different chemicals in differing amounts. When a person takes aspirin (a chemical) for their migraine headaches it changes the chemical make-up of that person’s body.

You’ve always heard that when two chemicals, in the same amounts, at the same temperature, etc. are mixed together they will cause the same reaction. That may be true, but when one chemical (such as aspirin) is taken by two separate people their reactions will never be exactly the same because no two people have identical chemicals in their body. One person taking aspirin will not have the same reaction as someone else taking aspirin. And it’s the same with natural migraine headache treatments. Since no two people are identical no two people will respond exactly the same to a treatment method for migraine headaches.

So just because one migraine headache treatment does not work for one person does not mean it won’t work for your migraine headaches. There are many effective alternatives to taking medications when it comes to relieving migraine headaches. You just have to try one for yourself to see if it will work for you.

One natural and popular treatment method for migraine headaches is chiropractic care, or chiropractic manipulations. Studies have shown that over 80% of headache patients find some type of relief for their headaches with chiropractic treatment. And chiropractic treatment has been shown to be extremely safe. Spinal problems cause headaches and when these spinal problems are treated by chiropractors a high percentage of their patients experience relieve from their pain.

Another natural way to relieve migraine headaches is biofeedback. This is a safe and potentially effective way to eliminate pain. Biofeedback is not actually a treatment, but a training program designed to help a person develop the ability to control their autonomic (involuntary) nervous system. Functions that are normally automatic in the body, such as blood pressure regulation or heart rate can be controlled voluntarily. This technique makes it possible for a person to control their own heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature or relaxation of their muscles.

It’s no secret that stress causes muscle tension. And nobody will deny that muscle tension causes pain and headaches. And it’s also a fact that by relaxing this muscle tension, especially in the neck and head, it is possible to relieve the migraine headaches or neck pain that is being caused by the tension. With biofeedback the machinery is not always necessary. Once the biofeedback technique is learned there is no longer any need for the equipment. The patient with migraine headaches can now produce the desired effect at any time. A person that has been trained with biofeedback can control some of their bodily functions, such as muscle relaxation, which can help relieve their headache pain.

Another cause of headaches can be the intake of too much salt. Some people just can’t get enough of it. They pour it onto their food with wreckless abandon. And too much salt can and does cause headaches. What’s the solution? Simply lessening the salt intake can sometimes prevent the headaches from occurring.

Food sensitivities have also been shown to cause migraine headaches in some people. Foods such as cheese, alcohol, MSG (monosodium glutamate – a food additive), yeast, wheat, nuts, avocados, beans, bananas, oranges (and other citrus fruits), pork, vinegar (and pickled foods), dairy products, caffeine, chocolate, onions and others can cause migraines. Foods that cause migraine headaches are called “migraine triggers.” People who experience migraine headaches because of food allergies can reduce or eliminate their pain by eliminating the foods that cause the headaches.

It sounds simple, but it takes a little detective work to figure out which foods, if any, are causing the migraine headaches. So how can you determine which foods are the culprits? The logical way is to keep a diary of what you eat and when. Get a small notebook, with each page representing one day, and make three columns on each of the pages. The first column on the left side of the page will contain the hours in the day. The second column down the middle of the page will be a list of the foods eaten that day. And the third column on the right side of the page will list the symptoms (headaches) that you experience.

Here’s how the food diary works: if you had an orange, cereal and milk for breakfast at 8 AM you would write “orange, cereal, milk” in the middle (food) column directly to the right of 8 AM in the left (time) column. Make a note of everything that you eat on this list and at what time you ate them.

Next, whenever you experience a migraine headache write “migraine headache” or “headache” in the right (symptoms) column that corresponds with the time (in the left column) your headache began. For example, if you started feeling pain from one of your migraine headaches at 2 PM you would write “headache” in the right (symptoms) column directly across from 2 PM in the left (time) column.

Once you’ve had enough time to experience a few migraine headaches you will be able to examine your food diary to determine which foods you ate shortly before you began experiencing your pain. For example, if you had 3 migraine headaches over a one-month period, and you had milk shortly before each of the migraine attacks, milk may be the culprit. It may take a few weeks or even a few months to come to any conclusions, but over time, by figuring out which foods or ingredients in these foods, are causing your pain, you will be able to eliminate these ingredients and relieve your pain caused by these foods.

Many lower back pain remedies concentrate on breathing and relaxation, which not only work the muscles, but can relieve stress. Rest is one of the most effective remedies. Exercise is also one of the most common back pain solutions recommended by doctors. In most cases, it is possible to treat acute pain in the lower back with over-the-counter medications. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help short-term, but these should never be substituted for long-term back pain remedies.

Traditional pain remedies may involve powerful painkillers and bed rest. Of course you can also take muscle relaxants as part of your treatment, but remember that pain killers and muscle relaxants don’t always address the actual cause of your back discomfort. Any effective pain remedies should address the actual cause of the pain rather than just mask it with pain killers.

Many people nowadays are shifting to natural pain remedies hoping to get some relief from their symptoms without the risks associated with taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Chiropractic therapy does so without drugs or medicine while still providing joint, head, and back pain relief that really work. Inversion therapy has been used to help sufferers of back pain as one of the most successful all-natural low back pain remedies by allowing gravity to do its work.

Traditional Chinese medicine, with its 2500 year old history, offers many remedies for pain – lower back stretches, lower back strengthening exercises, massage techniques, acupuncture, herbal remedies, liniments, sticking plasters and others. Acupuncture can significantly reduce pain in the back and serve as a great option when you try to find remedies for any type of pain.

If these treatment options don’t seem to be working, you should consult your family physician, who may refer you to a specialist. Remedies for lower back pain and for nerve discomfort include taking anticonvulsants to relax the nerve, and interventional therapy can be used to block nerve pain by injecting steroids or local anesthetics into the area that is inflamed. Your physician may also prescribe some various types of physical therapy to help ease your discomfort. In the end, by knowing your options and maybe even employing more than one of the lower back pain remedies available, you may save yourself a lot of pain and discomfort.

The first known use of aromatherapy dates back to more than 5000 years ago. Back then, the people from Egypt pay tribute to the Egyptian gods by burning herbs, spices and woods in order to send their prayers to the heavens through the risen smoke.

Today, aromatherapy is used because of its medicinal value. Although it has not been proven that aromatherapy cures major diseases, it is on the other hand, known to be effective in lessening the pain and discomfort that are related to such conditions.

Aromatherapy can be used in three different ways. First is by applying it directly to the skin, also known as topical application. This is the method of application used for massage and baths like those from the spa. Topical application of aromatherapy benefits you in one of the following ways:

Tissue and muscle repair of lesions, injuries, cuts or abrasions.
Muscle relaxation
Better sleep at night
Improved circulation of blood
Relief from inflammation
Enhanced skin suppleness

Second, aromatherapy can be infused through inhalation of oil or infusion vapors. This is beneficial to the body such as:

Relief of nasal congestion
Relief of Lung infection that may be caused by bacteria and fungus
Aids in expectorating phlegm
Better sleeping pattern

Lastly, diffusion of oils in the air is another way to infuse aromatherapy. This method allows the aromatic smell to be utilized by circulating the aroma through the air. The smell may help the body and mind by:

Alleviating headaches
Energizing the mind and body
Producing calming effects

In addition to that, aromatherapy is advantageous to the mind and body in a lot of ways. It helps relieve mind problems such stress, anxiety and depression and this in turn may also lower the blood pressure. With aromatherapy, you will also improve the circulation of your blood which in turn helps eliminate unwanted toxins and improve wound healing process.

Often the initial cause of the back problem is not known and this condition can sometimes be progressive The good news is that the vast majority of occurrences can be treated without surgery. Back pain treatments include analgesics, to reduce inflammation, to restoring proper mobility and strength to the back, by a variety of back pain products and therapies, to strategies for the avoidance of recurrence of the injury. Usually patients suffering lumbar pain recover fully and don’t incur continuing loss of functionality. It’s advisable to contact your GP if there is no improvement or reduction in the back pain and inflammation after 3 days There is a plethora of exercises, medication, or therapy products and gadgets available to sufferers, designed to provide either, relief, prevention or both. Although some of these back pain products (such as Magnatherapy or aromatherapy) would be described as ‘alternative’ or pseudoscientific ie they have few empirically or scientifically proven benefits, many are developed through the application of sound medical principle and theory. It’s worthwhile asking your GP for recommendations on any therapies as well as making sure that the cause is not more serious

Back pain therapy devices PGAT devices

Inversion Tables

Inversion is a natural form of passive gravity assisted traction (PGAT) that uses the patient’s body weight in conjunction with gravity to decompress weight-bearing joints. While the patient is rotated and suspended, gravity effectively creates a traction, resulting in a customized stretch that extends the spine, from the sacroiliac to the cervical joints of the neck, increasing the space between the vertebrae, which relieves the pressure on the discs and nerve roots. By reducing this pressure there is less interference with the spinal nerves thus reducing lower lumbar pain. Inversion is considered to be an effective therapy This is typically performed on what’s called an inversion table. The table allows you to lie on your back relaxed, in an inverted position. This position eliminates some or all gravitational compression, depending upon how far back you position your body. Inversion therapy relieves back pain, and it works even better when it’s part of a well-rounded therapy plan that addresses the specific muscle imbalances you have. But even by itself it is highly effective. A recent study done at Newcastle University found that over 70% of patients who performed inversion therapy were able to cancel their scheduled back surgeries.

LumbaCurve

LumbaCurve is a new effective lower back pain therapy product which may help to reduce disc compression, exercise and mobilise the muscles, joints and ligaments of the spine all at the same time. Painstakingly designed over 6 years in the UK and the Netherlands, this ingenious back pain therapy device combines both Western and Eastern therapy techniques. LumbaCurve incorporates specific shaping and design features which attempt to simulate a range of both occidental physiotherapy / chiropractic, and oriental acupressure techniques employed in mechanical lower back pain relief. LumbaCurve gently stretches the lower back, causing the vertebral discs to separate. This in turn relaxes the discs and frees up the spinal nerves, thus giving low back pain relief. LumbaCurve’s design features also provide the benefits of shiatsu stimulation, yogic stretch, and acupressure massage from traditional oriental medicine. LumbaCurve is a is simplicity itself to use. Just lie on your back, slide it under your lumbar area, relax, and perform a few easy exercises.Manufactured in the UK, LumbaCurve comes with an instructional DVD of exercise routines.

CPM Mobilisers

Backlife

Backlife is designed to apply a Continuous Passive Movement (CPM) to the lower back pain sufferer in a similar way to how a healthcare professional, as part of his back pain therapy, would apply in order to help relieve pressure between the vertebrae, and therefore relieve pain in the lumbar region. In order to apply CPM the user would lie on the floor bending their knees over the upper section of the machine. As the upper section moves, it gently rotates the pelvis in a circular fashion, allowing the joints to move, whilst the joints remain relaxed. The advertised benefits of Backlife for pain relief are that it reduces the stress and pressure on the lower back, restores back mobility and improves stability. In addition it reduces lumbar pain with regular use, improves posture, and reduces muscle tension.

Back in action Mobiliser

The Back in Action Mobiliser is an extremely powerful medical grade spinal joint mobilisation system, available for home or professional use for back pain relief. It’s described as usually very effective at decreasing the symptoms of long term and chronic musculo-skeletal problems. The system applies very localised pressure to the muscles either side of the spine, simulating a practitioners ‘thumbing technique,whilst mobilising the spine, flexing and extending the spine, freeing up stubborn vertebrae. In addition to this the mobilise provides a continuous passive motion (CPM) considered to be beneficial to health and aid healing The mobilise has been used to treat conditions such as: lumbago; prolapse /slipped disc, sciatica; scoliosis, arthritic hips, sacro-iliac dysfunction, whiplash injuries; fibromyalgia and many other disabling conditions. It is also comprehensively tested and endorsed by medics, so that it is probably the most commended back pain therapy care system available. Its most significant disadvantage is that it is made in small numbers and is expensive to buy however they are available to hire.

Backstretcher

The Backstretcher, also known as the Rolastretcher provides relief with a combination of massage and stretching movements, allowing the user to move and stretch different parts of the spine by moving up and down the frame. The rollers also provide pressure (acupressure) on the back muscles either side of the spine where dysfunctional trigger points (knots) often occur. It provides back pain sufferers the opportunity to complement their therapeutic treatment with a device, which is portable, The effectiveness of this device has been confirmed by scientific study by the University of Iowa’s Spine Centre.

Flexibak

Flexibak is back support cradle that is designed to ease lower back pain problems, reduce discomfort, and promote relief, by decompression of key joints, allowing natural movement to return to the user. Flexibak, developed by 2 leading British osteopaths, is designed to encourage the lumbar and sacroiliac joints to open up, and encourage the return of natural movement as pressure on inflamed muscles is relieved.

Back cushions and wedges and Supports Cushions

Back cushions

These are custom shaped soft cushions which are tailored to the natural shape of the user’s lower back and designed to offer support whilst maintaining an ergonomic and comfortable posture whilst sat on a chair or in the car, thus providing an element of relief for low back pain.

Seat wedges

Seat wedges provide lumbar pain relief in a natural passive manner. Sitting on a seat wedge has the effect of moving forward the pelvis which has the effect of causing the users spine to adopt a more ergonomically correct upright posture. Seat wedges maybe useful for lumbar pain suffering car drivers by angling their backs into more comfortable driving positions, or in sedentary workplace situations where the back pain sufferer may be adopting a suiting position for several hours, for example call centre workers. Ideal for everybody working in a sitting position, especially PC users. A variant of the seat wedge is the coccyx wedge which incorporates a cut away section to reduce or avoid pressure on the sacrum or coccyx which could be causing lower back pain or tail bone pain.

Back Braces

These aim to constrict the affected area of low back pain low afflicted area, these strap-on body braces help reduce lower back pain and help to correct poor posture.

TENS units

TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is the application of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. In this case we are referring to portable stimulators used to help with back pain. The unit is usually connected to the skin using two or more electrodes or semi adhesive pads. Although the first units developed in the US for testing tolerance of chronic back pain sufferers to electrical stimulation in preparation for surgically invasive implants, many patients reported deriving relief from the TENS itself. A number of companies began manufacturing TENS units after the commercial success of the Meditronic device became known TENS is regarded as a non-invasive, safe nerve stimulation intended to reduce pain, both acute and chronic. Controversy does exist over its effectiveness in treating of chronic back pain. In 2007 a feature in the Pain Journal concluded that ENS was effective for chronic musculoskeletal pain whereas the journal Neurology advised against recommending TENS for chronic lower back pain,but other neurologists in the same journal suggested that in some patients TENS is useful. TENS units available from high street retailers Baxolve offers immediate relief for lower back pain through a combination of TENS therapy and lumbar support in one easy to use convenient belt.

Heat and cold back pain products

There is little empirical evidence that the application of hot and cold compresses actually effectively relieve back pain conditions, although the use of hot and cold compresses may provide relief by helping to reduce the lower back pain, spasms, and inflammation, in turn allowing for improved mobility for some back pain sufferers. Immediately after the trauma, the sufferer would apply a cold compress (generally ice packs or refrigerant gel) to the affected area of the lower back pain, maybe after a strain, for up to about 20 minutes a few time a day, for a couple of days to help reduce tissue inflammation. After a couple of days the back pain sufferer would then apply heat to the affected area, using a variety of methods such as heat pads, heat lamps etc for short durations. This has the effect of dilating the blood vessels which increase blood flow to the affected tissues, and encouraging the healing process. It also has the effect of relaxing the muscles similar to having a warm bath after exertion. As with any back pain treatment it’s advisable to consult your GP before commencing a treatment. See a range at Back Pain Products

Magnet therapy Magnet therapy can be described as an alternative or pseudoscientific method of back pain treatment, using magnetic fields on the body to promote back pain relief and healing, with a perceived, though not understood positive effect on blood oxygen content. There is no scientific basis to conclude that small, static magnets can relieve pain It has its origins in Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM) dating back some 2000 years, centered around ‘Chi’or ‘energy flows’ around the body and instrumental in health and wellbeing, with magnetic wave therapy having associations with acupuncture or and acupressure. Although it is regarded with an element of scepticism due to seemingly physical and biological implausibility, in Eastern countries, therapeutic magnets are licensed as medical devices, and it does appear to be gaining some recognition within the US medical community, with an example of affirmative research of published in the MDBR Journal of Rheumatology. The downside to this is the difficulty associated with establishing true blind testing of magnets and associated ‘placebo or Hawthorne’ effects within test groups. By all means have a look at what’s available but remain sceptical.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is often used as a method of pain relief by physios and therapists in combination with other pain treatments, such as manipulation, massage, ice treatment and interferential (electrotherapy). The ultrasound device causes millions of sound waves to penetrate deep into tissue in order to promote healing of inflamed or damaged muscles, tendons and ligaments. It’s claimed that ultrasound can reduce tissue inflammation by stimulating blood flow, promote healing by stimulating soft tissue, and assist in the absorbtion uf analgesics, and reduce pain. Again there is conflict over the effectiveness for lower back pain treatment with both positive user testimonials offset by inconclusive meta analysis. See Physical Therapy article Jul 2001 and New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy Jul 2008

Ultralieve

Ultralieve Pro is a mains operated or portable hand held medical grade device designed for home use to help with pain and promote healing by conducting ultrasound waves into the damaged tissue. Although the device is easy its perhaps best if the user has received ultrasound treatment previously from a physio or healthcare professional, and again it’s advisable to check with your GP or physio before using one to derive pain relief It should not be used as a replacement for conventional help with back pain but in conjunction with it in between sessions. Again there is conflict over the effectiveness to help with back pain with both positive user testimonials offset by inconclusive meta analysis.