Help for Back Pain

Back pain can be debilitating and can come out from nowhere. Sometimes, the why is obvious, such as having an accident or injury. Or perhaps we were a little bit zealous and enthusiastic at the gym. Maybe we haven’t exercised for a while, not realizing the extent to which our body is out of shape. For a lot of people, back pain is related to posture and sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Standing desks and desk treadmills, anyone?

For me, temporary muscle tightness is nicely released with massage or a visit to an osteopath. Craniosacral sessions are also great. While I was going through an intensely stressful time in my life, I regularly visited my neurological chiropractor.

So yes, stress can tighten our body and compromise its natural fluidity and movement.

If you’re struggling with back pain, here are three things to explore.

Still Point Inducer

This tool by Upledger is fantastic. To me, it looks like a red pillow, which it is in a way. It also looks like it’s for massaging the neck. What apparently happens is a pause and a reboot. The cerebrospinal fluid is temporary paused which helps the central nervous system to reboot, leading to tissue tension release. It also helps the body’s natural ability to relieve stress and pain. According to the product description, the Still Point Inducer helps with “providing deep relaxation and helping reduce stress, easing headaches and chronic musculoskeletal pain, facilitating your body’s self-correcting abilities.” People report using the Still Point Inducer helps with migraines, muscle spasms, sinuses, blocked ears, and general relaxation.

When you can’t get to a craniosacral practitioner, this handy tool is a great go-to.

You lie down and put the Still Point Inducer horizontally beneath your head. Rest your head, its weight on the two round parts or balls (see below). The correct placement is the depression of your skull, near the top of the occipital bones. It sits level with the top part of the ears/ ear opening. (The Still Point Inducer comes with instructions.) Stay for ten to twenty minutes. If needed, you can repeat a few times during the day.

While it may feel odd or even uncomfortable initially, it should not be painful. Note that this tool is not for everyone, including anyone who’s at risk for an aneurysm or stroke or who’s just had a stroke or head injury. If you respond negatively to changes in head pressure, the Still Point Inducer is also not appropriate. The company also advises against using it for kids under nine years old.

If you’ve got a couple of tennis balls, which are great to work the back anyway, and a long sock, you can make your own. Push the two balls down to the toe area and tie a knot or use a rubber band to keep them in place. Then put this sock in the other sock and tie it again.

I’ve had my Still Point Inducer for years and haven’t really had to use it much, until recently when stress and strain cramped up my back. The first session already released so much, it’s quite amazing.

Still Point Inducer

Stretching

Immobility increases lower back pain so it’s a delicate balance between movement that helps and movement that does not hurt. Some stretches that help are yoga poses such as a child’s pose, cat/cow, and supine twist.

Tight hips can also result in lower back pain. Lunges and hip flexor stretches can help with hip tightness. Exercises that strengthen core and glute muscles are important as well.

Homeopathy

I love homeopathy. A lower back pain can be due to many reasons and it’s important to consult a trained homeopath. For acute situations, remedies such as Arnica montana can be helpful. Other remedies to consider, depending on the symptoms, include Rhus tox. This remedy is helpful for those with arthritis, as well as those who experience pain while at rest that improves from motion. If your lower back feels better when you press against it, this may also indicate Rhus tox as appropriate.

There are other reasons for lower back pain. These include osteoarthritis, sciatica, pinched nerve, inflammation, pelvic floor weakness, kidney imbalance, and ovarian cysts. If your back pain persists, check in with your healthcare practitioner.