Herbal Pain Relief Effectively Treats Back Pain

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Studies have shown that eight out of every ten people will suffer from lower back pain at one time or another. If you are one of the many suffers of chronic back pain, you know how frustrating this problem can be. Even short-term back pain can have a negative impact on your day-to-day lifestyle. Pain medications, whether they come from a prescription or are sold over the counter, can ease the discomfort, but most people do not want to take medication for more than a day or two. The good news is that studies have shown that there are effective options available in herbal pain relief today.

Devil’s Claw

Devil’s claw, also known as Harpago procumbens, has shown rather impressive results as a form of herbal pain relief in some clinical studies. The most effective dosage amount of the devil’s claw appears to be 50mg. At this dosage, this herb stacks up much better than a placebo, and some evidence even suggest that it is as effective as the drug Vioxx, which was taken off of the market due to concerns over its safety. Higher dosage amounts of this herb did not seem to be as effective.

White Willow Bark

China and India have been using this herb for pain relief for centuries, and an extract of this product was actually the model for the aspirin that we are familiar with today. It is still considered to be the “herbal” aspirin by many who have enjoyed the benefits of its pain-relieving qualities. Unlike the devil’s claw that seems to be most effective in a particular dosage amount, white willow bark increases with effectiveness at higher dosages. It has also stood up well against Vioxx in some clinical studies.

While white willow bark contains some of the medicinal qualities of aspirin, users of this pain-relieving herb do not have to worry about aspirin’s possible side effects like gastric bleeding or stomach upset. It will not thin your blood the way that aspirin does either, making it a fairly safe substitute for the over-the-counter synthetic drug. It has been shown to be effective on both acute pain and chronic pain, particularly in the lower back area.

Use Herbal Pain Relief Responsibly

While both of these herbs show promise as pain relievers neither should be taken until you talk with your doctor. Even “natural” medications like these can cause potentially dangerous side effects if they are not taken properly, or are taken in tandem with other medications. The herbal pain relief medicines also work best over the short term, and when they are combined with physical activity. If you are suffering from pain of any kind, talk to your doctor about the best methods of herbal pain relief for you.