Lumbar spondylosis is arthritis of the lower back that is caused due to wear and tear of the cartilage and bones of the spine. This condition can result in chronic, severe back pain and stiffness, pain, numbness or weakness that radiates to the buttock and legs as well. In a condition of acute pain, the patient could even be bedridden.
The primary causes for lumbar spondylosis are repetitive movements or heavy lifting, strain to the joints, poor posture, inadequate/incorrect nutrition, tension in the muscles, weight problems, or even emotional problems.
In case of mild or routine back pain, there are a few effective tips of home remedies for lumbar spondylosis that can be done at home.
Ice is a great pain reliever as it temporarily blocks the pain signals and also helps in reducing the swelling. One needs to wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply on the affected area for up to about 20 minutes. For the first couple of days, ice pack needs to be applied more frequently but later it is needed only after exercise and physical activities. After the first couple of days, heat pack is required to stimulate the blood flow and also to reduce the pain. One needs to dip a towel in hot water, wring it and apply on the affected area. It must be noted, however, that only ice needs to be applied for a couple of days before the application of heat because heat can aggravate the inflammatory process. Ice is one of the best home remedies for lumbar spondylosis.
Poor posture is one of the reasons for back pain. Hence, posture correction is really helpful. We need to look for a posture that gives minimal stress to the back and makes us feel comfortable. Once we have figured out the posture that helps with our pain, we should try and maintain the posture during all times.
Like all body parts, spine is also designed to move. Hence we need to keep moving the spine after the first few days. Complete bed rest is never recommended as this can actually worsen the spine because that will only make the spine inflexible and rigid.
Stretches do wonders to our back. Hence, once the pain has subsided, we should start working the muscles that support the lower back. Strengthening will actually avert future episodes of backache.
Massaging the affected area can relieve back pain. We can use back rub creams or ointments for give better relief.
Try and maintain weight within a healthy range with the help of diet and exercise. Being overweight puts extra stress on the back.
Smoking increases the risk of arthritis of the spine and other bone problems. So, try and avoid smoking or kick off the habit if you are already a smoker.
Multiple over-the-counter pain killers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen can help in alleviating the symptoms. But it is essential to discuss with the doctor or pharmacist about any interactions with the medicines that we already are taking and also the side effects to prevent any adversity.
Application of Ayurvedic medicated oils is very helpful in relieving lumbar spondylosis related symptoms.
Yoga is known to alleviate backache symptoms but it is essential to learn the correct poses from a certified person in order to achieve maximum benefits.
There are multiple herbs available that help with backache such as ginger, basil leaves, garlic, wheat, Epsom salts, Chamomile tea, milk, poppy seeds, lemon, potato, etc. Herbal oil is also known to be effective in treating backache.
It is important to remember that there is no single or certain cure for the lumbar spondylosis and above-mentioned tips only help to an extent in alleviating the pain, depending on the severity of the pain. Hence, it is very essential to seek medical attention in case of severe pain, radiating pain, or numbness or tingling.
