Best Natural Supplements for Curing Back Pain

There are a number of different ways to treat your back pain naturally: vitamins, minerals, herbs, nutrition, and homeopathy medicine.

Some will help heal your back pain and others are dangerous, so it is better to consult a physician or nurse practitioner before taking anything and never, ever exceed recommended dosages.

Everybody's chemistry is different and reacts differently, so if you are considering taking a supplement equivalent to a pharmaceutical drug, you may still have some side effects.

There are many natural supplements that can be found in supermarkets and drug stores. You may have to check health food stores for more obscure supplements. Like any kind of medication that you buy over the counter, you'll have a choice between the store brand and name brands.

Do some research and ask around to find out which online suppliers are the best and most reputable.

Listed below are some natural supplement treatments that have been publicized to help alleviate back pain. When dosages are listed, you should know that if you are particularly thin or heavy, you should consult an expert before taking the supplement.

And bear one thing in mind, natural supplements will not relieve pain immediately, but have to be taken for weeks or sometimes even months before you see results.

Herbs: Herbal supplements can be found in the form of a capsule or powder, or as teas. If you are making your own herbal tea, use 1 tsp. of herb per cup of hot water. Cover mixture and steep for 5-10 minutes, or 10-20 if you are using roots. You can safely drink 3-6 cups of tea daily.

Vitamins and Minerals: The recommended dosages for taking various vitamins and minerals are listed below:
ZINC-30 mg twice daily; anti-inflammatory
VITAMIN E-400 IU daily; anti-inflammatory
CALCIUM-500mg daily; strengthens bones
VITAMIN C-250-500mg twice daily
COPPER: 2 mg daily
BORON: 1-3 mg daily with food; helps the body absorb calcium and magnesium
GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE: 500 mg. three times daily. Can rebuild cartilage in joints and has been studied by the American College of Rheumatology as an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
MAGNESIUM- 250 mg daily; strengthens bones and relaxes muscles
NIACINAMIDE: 500 mg three times daily; anti-inflammatory and heals damaged cartilage. Can cause liver damage and aggravate diabetes, low blood pressure, ulcers, and glaucoma, so have a doctor monitor you if you take this supplement.

Pain Relief: Following supplements are helpful in relieving pain.
DEVIL'S CLAW: 400 mg three times daily. Used to treat arthritis, research shows devil's claw may boost the effectiveness of conventional drugs.
WHITE WILLOW BARK: effects are similar to taking aspirin

Anti-inflammatories: They are listed as below:
BOSWELLIN: 150 mg three times daily. Has been proven in clinical trials to help alleviate low back pain
MSM: Has not been researched, but herbalists use it as an anti-inflammatory.
CURCUMIN: 400-600 mg three times daily; sometimes mixed with ginger, curcumin has not been studied in clinical trials, but herbalists use it as an anti-inflammatory.
BROMELAIN: 500 mg three times daily
ST. JOHN'S WORT: 300-500 mg capsule three times daily; interacts with a wide variety of medications and should only be taken under the advisement of an herbal specialist.

Homeopathic remedies: Homeopathy is a practice of medicine that has been around for about two hundred years. It is based upon what is called the Law of Similars and works on the same principle as do immunizations: give someone a small dose of what would make them sick to cure their sickness. Here are some natural homeopathic remedies that are helpful in alleviating back pain:
ARNICA MONTANA: used in cases of trauma to the back
GNAPHALIUM: used to treat sciatica, which is often associated with back pain
AESCULUS: used for dull, nagging pain
COLOCYNTHIS: used for weakness and muscle cramps in the lower back
RHUS TOXICODENDRON: used for lower back stiffness and pain
LYCOPODIUM: used to treat burning pain

Muscle Relaxants: Different types of muscle relaxants can be summarized as under:
VALERIAN ROOT: Widely researched and documented as a sleep aid, valerian has been given a number 1 rating for safety by The American Herbal Products Association.
JAMAICA DOGWOOD: Used to treat muscle inflammation and spasms; little research has been done on it and excessive amounts can be toxic. Do not use with sedatives.
KAVA KAVA: Recognized by some doctors as a safe alternative to Xanax and Valium.
WILD YAM: Long used to treat menstrual cramps; generally taken as a tea.
BLACK HAW: relieves muscle spasms and is similar to aspirin.