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Adieu to Backache
Sedentary living habits, hazardous work patterns and psychological conditions associated with emotional stress have given birth to several ailments. Backache is one of them. Long working hours, which bring about spasm of muscles, cause Backaches. As the back bears the weight of entire body, overweight persons feel the strain on their back when they have to carry any extra load.
Causes and Symptoms
Main causes of Backache & Spondylosis are muscular tension, straining of joints, poor posture, and incorrect nutrition resulting from dietetic errors and lack of exercise. Acute or chronic illnesses like kidney or prostate problems, Gynecic disorders, influenza, and arthritis may also lead to Backache. Other causes include stress and strain resulting from sitting for a long time, improper lifting of weights, high heels, and emotional problems that may cause painful muscle cramping.
In most cases, Backache is usually felt either in the middle of the back or lower down. It may spread to both sides of the waist and the hips. In a condition of acute pain, patient is unable to move and is bedridden. About ninety per cent of Backache patients suffer from what is called Cervical and Lumbar Spondylosis.
Cure From the Kitchen
Garlic
The most important home remedy for Backache is the use of garlic. Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to get results. Oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give great relief. This oil is prepared by frying ten cloves of garlic in 60 ml of oil in a frying pan. Any of the oils that are used as rubeficient, such as mustard oil, sesame oil and coconut oil can be used according to one's choice. Cloves should be fried on a slow fire in the oil, till they are brown. After the oil is cooled, it should be applied vigorously on the back, and allowed to remain there for three hours. The patient may, thereafter, take a warm-water bath. This treatment should be continued for at least fifteen days.
Lemon
Lemon is another useful remedy for Backache. Juice of one lemon should be mixed with common salt and taken by the patient twice daily. It will give relief.
Chebulic Myrobalan
The use of Chebulic Myrobalan is beneficial in the treatment of Backache. A small piece of this fruit should be eaten after meals. This will give quick relief.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has proved valuable in case of severe Backaches. About 2,000 mg of this vitamin should be taken daily for treating this condition. Considerable improvement may be noticed within two days.
Potato
Raw Potato is an ancient home remedy for Backache, characterized by incapacitating pain in the lumbar region, especially in the lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the form of poultice has been found very effective in this condition.
Ideal diet for
Backache victims
The diet of those suffering from Backache should consist of salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce, and at least, two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach and plenty of fruits, except bananas. Patient should have four meals daily. Fruits and milk are advised for breakfast, steamed vegetables and whole-wheat chapatis for lunch, fresh fruit or fruit juice in the evening and a bowl of raw salad and sprouts during dinner. Patient should avoid fatty, spicy and fried foods, curd, sweetmeats and sugar, condiments and tea & coffee. Foods that have been processed for preservation have few nutrients and should also be eliminated from the diet.
Other Measures
1. Stop smoking or taking tobacco in any form completely.
2. Hot fomentation, alternatively sponging, or application of heat to the back will also give immediate relief.
3. Yogic Asanas, that are beneficial in the treatment of Backache are Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Halasana, Uttanpadasana and Shavasana.
