If you are an American, you have an 80% chance of experiencing pack pain at some point in your adult life.  The spine is the seat of human nerve structure, so it manifests much of your body's stress.  While disc problems can be one cause of back pain, a more common cause is strained muscles, fascial restrictions, and restrictions within the CranioSacral system.  Stress, bad posture, and long periods of inactivity all weaken the back, making it vulnerable to pain from injury or exercise.  When the back is very weak, even minor actions like twisting or coughing can trigger severe pain.  

Some symptoms you may be suffering from could be any kind of pain-sharp, lancing, dull, aching, gradual, sudden-usually in the lower or middle back.  

There are many possible Root Causes such as:

-Inactivity

-Poor posture and spinal misalignment

-Muscle strength and flexibility imbalances

-Sleeping on a poorly made mattress

-High heels

-Obesity

-Pregnancy-Imbalance of the kidney, the bladder, the prostate, or the pelvic region, torsion and or tension of Fascia, imbalanced ligaments

-Arthritis

-Osteoporosis

-Emotional stress

-Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

-Nutritional deficiencies

-Constipation

-Smoking

-Trauma from an injury, even if not a back injury (could start from a blow to the head) 

Thankfully there are many options to help alleviate and help you get rid of your back pain!

Along with CranioSacral Therapy, other modalities like Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Acupressure, and Homeopathy, Bach Flower Remedies, Aromatherapy, Diet, and Nutrition supplements and herbs are helpful for helping back pain.   

Healthy Diet

For starters, diet is a big piece.  Constipation, extra weight, and toxic build-up can aggravate back pain.  Diet and detoxification therapies will help keep your body free of these stressors.

I would recommend eating small, light meals.  Heavy eating puts a burden on your digestive tract and weakens the back.  Constipation makes back pain worse, so eat plenty of fiber, preferably in the  form of vegetables.  Foods like fish, soy products, beans, leafy greens, sea vegetables, nuts and seeds are great to have in your diet.  

Foods to Avoid

Try and stay away from products that are high in saturated fat and sugar, especially if you are overweight.  Those extra pounds on the waist and the hips means a heavier load on the back.  Avoid caffeine and alcohol products, which are known to worsen inflammation.

Stress Reduction Relaxation Techniques

There are may Stress Reduction therapies that help with back pain.  Many people find that yoga eases their pain.  Yoga releases emotional stress as well as the physical tension.  Also biofeedback can help you identify just when you tense up your back muscles and will show you how to release them.  Another wonderful relaxation technique is breathing exercises.   

Nutrition and Herbs 

There are many different nutrition supplements and herbs you can take to help with with your back pain. 

Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation and strengthens connective tissue. 

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) alleviates muscle spasms and has a natural anti-inflammatory effect.

Calcium and Magnesium help to alleviate muscle spasms.

Bromelain has a natural anti-inflammatory effect.

Vitamins B1, B6, and B12 help reduce the amount of medication needed for back pain.

Protease enzymes reduce inflammation. 

White willow, this herb helps reduces pain.

Cayenne cream depletes the nerves of substance P, a neurotransmitter that transmits pain messages.

Ginger gives relief of both inflammation and pain.

Pine bark or grape seed extract reduces inflammation.

Arnica oil reduces pain and spasm.

Devils claw root (but should not be used if you have a history of gallstones, heartburn, or ulcers)

Alfalfa

Yucca root 

Saint-Johns-wort oil reduces nerve pain.

It is helpful to sit down together and talk a little bit about your back pain and how it may feel physically and emotionally in order to best decide what kinds of nutrition and herbs will best help you.  

Something very important to remember is to make lifestyle changes.  This may sound extremely difficult, but with a great support system and understanding of how nutrition and herbs can help and how modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can greatly help to get you back in balance and free from back pain it becomes very easy!