Le back pain At the top of the list of conditions for which people resort to alternative medicine and Additional⁵. The most popular therapies are acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy, and spinal manipulations (such as chiropractic or osteopathy). Increasingly, doctors are encouraging people with chronic lower back pain to experience complementary approaches, because often conventional treatments alone are not enough to make the pain disappear.

Either of the plants mentioned below can also be used to relieve pain and decrease inflammation. Chiropractic. The effectiveness of chiropractic, particularly spinal manipulation, for treating low back pain has been the subject of several systematic reviews.^{6-12 ,42}. Among these, a very comprehensive review published in 2008, including randomized clinical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyzes and cohort studies, compared chiropractic to conventional treatments or to placebos.⁴². Whether for acute or chronic low back pain, the technique of spinal manipulation (of the spine) seems more effective than placebos or inactive treatments to relieve pain and improve the functional status of patients. In addition, the addition of a specific exercise program seems to accelerate and improve results and decrease the recurrence of pain.

Cons-indications

Chiropractic is generally considered safe for treating lower back pain. However, it is contraindicated in cauda equina syndrome (a severe form of sciatica) or vertebral fracture.

Osteopathy . Osteopathy is a manual medicine which aims to balance the internal structures using a touch of great finesse. Several meta-analyzes, including one published in 2010, concluded that this approach reduced low back pain more effectively than a placebo treatment.²³. In addition, it mentions several studies in which osteopathy was found to be more efficient than conventional treatments. It can sometimes reduce the dose of pain medication²⁴. In addition, it seems that this effect would be significant in the short and medium term, research having shown beneficial effects that last beyond 3 months.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is increasingly used to relieve pain of all kinds. In particular, it stimulates the production of endorphins, substances with calming and pain-relieving properties. In 2005, a meta-analysis of 22 randomized clinical studies compared the effect of acupuncture to other treatments or to placebos¹⁵. It appears that acupuncture would also be effective in relieving lower back pain chronic than the therapies usually employed. This is also what a review of the scientific literature published in 2010 concludes on 4 random studies.⁵⁰. Regarding lower back pain waters, however, the results are scarce and inconclusive.

Hydrotherapy (thermal cures). The authors of a meta-analysis published in 2006 looked at 5 clinical trials examining the effects of balneotherapy and treatments in spa for the relief of lower back pain¹³. The results of these studies show that both types of therapy reduce pain. A clinical trial published in 2 also showed that balneotherapy was more effective if the water used was rich in sulfur.¹⁴. In 2009, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) analyzed 19 clinical trials of balneotherapy and confirmed its usefulness for lumbago chronic⁴⁹. Consult our Hydrotherapy sheet.

Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens). Topical application of capsaicin, one of the active ingredients in cayenne, helps relieve lower back pain, according to some studies^25-27 . However, it should be noted that, according to the authors of a meta-analysis published in 2004, capsaicin has only low to moderate efficacy against pain musculoskeletal²⁷. These researchers point out, however, that it can be useful as an adjunct or as a sole treatment for people who do not respond or who are intolerant to other treatments. Commission E recognizes the external use of cayenne to relieve muscle pain in the shoulders, arms and spine.

Dosage

Apply to affected areas, up to 4 times a day, a cream, lotion or ointment containing 0,025% to 0,075% capsaicin. You can also find plasters in Chinese shops. capsicum that is applied to the joints or to the painful muscles.

Notes

– It often takes 14 days of treatment before the full therapeutic effect is felt.

– It happens that the first application causes a sharp sensation of pain which then subsides. Interrupt applications if this sensation persists after 2 treatments or if redness appears.

– Wash hands well after use. As the irritant is poorly soluble in water, soap or a little vinegar is needed to cleanse the skin.

Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens). Results from several clinical trials, with or without a placebo group, indicate that devil’s claw root may improve mobility and relieve pain in musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoarthritis and back pain.^28-34 . It would have an anti-inflammatory action and promote muscle relaxation. Commission E and ESCOP have recognized the effectiveness of this African plant in relieving arthritis and musculoskeletal pain.

Dosage

You usually take 1 or 2 tablets of 500 mg, 3 times a day, or 1,5 g to 3 g per day. Dosages may vary depending on the type of extract. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Notes

It is recommended to follow this treatment for at least 2 or 3 months in order to take full advantage of its effects.

White willow (Salix alba). The bark of the white willow contains salicin, the molecule responsible for acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®). It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Willow bark helps soothe lower back pain in clinical trials^35-37 . The pain relieving effects of white willow have sometimes been similar to those of designer drugs. Commission E and ESCOP recognize its usefulness in lowering fever, relieving rheumatic pain and headache.

Dosage

Consult our White Willow file.

Massage Therapy. Several researchers have studied the therapeutic effects of massage in the treatment of lower back pain^16-21 . The results do not allow them to reach a consensus on the effectiveness of massage therapy, given the variability in the quality of the studies conducted to date. It does seem that massage relieves lower back pain. subacute and chronic, especially when combined with physical activities and educational information on back pain prevention²². Massage helps release muscle tension and improves blood circulation, which may partly explain its pain-relieving effect. There are several types of therapeutic massages. Consult our Massotherapy file.

Technique Alexander. This somatic education technique aims to unlearn certain posture habits to reduce muscle tension, improve balance and reduce fatigue and pain. Although the effectiveness of the Alexander technique is still far from being demonstrated for the relief of lower back pain.^38,39, it is successfully integrated into multidisciplinary protocols aimed at reducing the discomfort of people suffering from this condition⁴⁰.

Transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS). TENS involves stimulating the nerves with a light electric current to relieve pain. Although widely used in the treatment of low back pain, this method has not been proven to be effective. At least that’s what the authors of an analysis published in 2008 concluded.⁵¹.

Back schools. We must underline the success observed with what is now known to be called “back schools”: care and support programs for patients suffering from low back pain.⁴¹. It teaches you how to take care of your back, what movements to avoid, etc. (see Sites of interest).

Body disciplines. Although their effectiveness has not been demonstrated in clinical trials, several body disciplines provide relief for people with low back pain.⁴¹. Some of the most popular are tai chi and yoga. A random study published in 2010 showed that yoga improved the quality of life of people with chronic low back pain while providing flexibility to the spine. superior to that obtained by conventional physiotherapy exercises⁵². Studies to better assess the effect of yoga and tai chi on chronic lower back pain are ongoing.