Back Pain: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Back pain is a persistent or intermittent ache or discomfort in the upper or lower back region, caused by a variety of factors such as muscle strain, poor posture, overexertion, or underlying medical conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or osteoporosis.

If left untreated, back pain can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and decreased mobility, ultimately affecting an individual's overall quality of life. Fortunately, herbal remedies like willow bark, turmeric, and ginger, can provide relief from back pain when used in moderation. Medicinal preparations such as topical creams, ointments, and teas can be effective in reducing inflammation and easing discomfort.

However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedies and to follow proper dosages to avoid interactions with other medications and potential side effects.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of back pain, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of back pain?

The main causes of back pain are often attributed to a combination of factors including muscle strain (approximately 60-80% of cases), which can be caused by heavy lifting, sudden twisting, or overstretching.

Herniated discs (4-6% of cases) can also contribute to back pain when the soft tissue between the vertebrae bulges out and compresses nearby nerves. Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones, can lead to vertebral compression fractures (3-6% of cases), resulting in back pain. Other contributing factors include degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, which are often age-related conditions.

Furthermore, underlying medical conditions such as kidney stones, kidney infections, and fibromyalgia can also cause back pain.

• Herniated discs: A herniated disc occurs when the soft gel-like center of a spinal disc bulges out through a tear in the outer cartilage, putting pressure on nearby nerves and causing back pain.
• Muscle strain: Muscle strain, also known as pulled muscles, occurs when the muscles in the back are overused or injured, leading to inflammation and pain.
• Degenerative disc disease: Degenerative disc disease is a condition in which the discs in the spine deteriorate due to age, wear and tear, and loss of water content, causing back pain.
• Scoliosis: Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the spine curves abnormally, putting pressure on the muscles and nerves, and causing back pain.
• Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one of the vertebrae in the spine slips out of place, causing back pain and putting pressure on the surrounding muscles and nerves.
• Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the nerves and causing back pain.
• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones in the spine become weak and brittle, making them more susceptible to fractures and causing back pain.
• Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread muscle pain, including back pain, caused by changes in brain chemistry and nerve function.
• Tumors: Tumors, both benign and malignant, can cause back pain by pressing on the spinal cord or nerves.
• Infections: Infections, such as osteomyelitis, can cause back pain by inflaming the muscles and nerves in the spine.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for back pain?

The main medicinal herbs used for back pain are Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Capsicum annuum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cannabis sativa, Arnica montana, Eucalyptus globulus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Achillea millefolium, Salix alba.

Curcuma longa contains curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, inhibiting COX-2 and NF-kappaB activation, reducing pain and inflammation. Zingiber officinale, or ginger, exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, blocking pain pathways and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Capsicum annuum, containing capsaicin, activates TRPV1 receptors, releasing endorphins and substance P, providing analgesia and reducing inflammation.

Additionally, these herbs, along with the others, such as Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root), Cannabis sativa (cannabis), Arnica montana (arnica), Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus), Salvia miltiorrhiza (salvia), Achillea millefolium (yarrow), and Salix alba (willow bark), have been traditionally used to alleviate back pain due to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antispasmodic properties, making them valuable complementary therapies.

• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric, helps with back pain due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, a common cause of back pain.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, helps with back pain by reducing inflammation and pain caused by muscle spasms and arthritis through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols.
• Capsicum annuum: Capsicum annuum, commonly known as cayenne pepper, helps with back pain by releasing endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, which reduce pain perception and improve mood.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as licorice root, helps with back pain by reducing inflammation and pain caused by arthritis through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as glycyrrhizin.
• Cannabis sativa: Cannabis sativa, commonly known as hemp, helps with back pain by releasing cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, which reduce pain perception, inflammation, and muscle spasms.
• Arnica montana: Arnica montana, commonly known as arnica, helps with back pain by reducing inflammation and pain caused by bruising and trauma through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as arnica acid.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus, commonly known as eucalyptus, helps with back pain by reducing inflammation and pain caused by respiratory issues, such as bronchitis, which often accompany back pain.
• Salvia miltiorrhiza: Salvia miltiorrhiza, commonly known as Danshen, helps with back pain by reducing inflammation and pain caused by cardiovascular issues, such as high blood pressure, which often accompany back pain.
• Achillea millefolium: Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow, helps with back pain by reducing inflammation and pain caused by menstrual cramps and arthritis through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as sesquiterpenes.
• Salix alba: Salix alba, commonly known as white willow, helps with back pain by reducing pain caused by inflammation and fever through its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as salicin, a precursor to aspirin.

What are the main herbal preparations used for back pain?

The main herbal preparations used for back pain are Tincture, Salve, Decoction, Capsule, Cream, Suppository, Ointment, Poultice, Gel, Balm.

Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract used for pain relief due to its bioavailability and fast absorption rates. Salve is a topical preparation used for localized pain relief by reducing inflammation and promoting healing through the application of herbs like arnica and capsaicin. Decoction, Capsule, Cream, Suppository, Ointment, Poultice, Gel, and Balm are also used for back pain relief, with Decoction being a liquid extract of herbs in water, Capsule providing a slow release of pain-relieving compounds, while Cream, Suppository, Ointment, Poultice, Gel, and Balm provide topical relief with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

These medicinal herbal preparations work by targeting pain pathways, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing to alleviate back pain.

• Tincture: A tincture made from the medicinal herb Arnica montana can help with back pain by reducing inflammation and promoting healing due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Salve: A salve prepared from the herb White Willow (Salix alba) can help alleviate back pain by reducing pain and inflammation through its salicylic acid content, which is similar to aspirin.
• Decoction: A decoction made from the roots of the herb Turmeric (Curcuma longa) can help with back pain by reducing inflammation and pain due to its curcumin content, which has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Capsule: A capsule filled with the herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) can help with back pain by reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation due to its hypericin content, which has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.
• Cream: A cream prepared from the herb Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) can help alleviate back pain by reducing inflammation and pain due to its harpagoside content, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Suppository: A suppository made from the herb Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) can help with back pain by promoting relaxation and reducing muscle spasms due to its valerenic acid content, which has sedative and antispasmodic effects.
• Ointment: An ointment prepared from the herb Ginger (Zingiber officinale) can help alleviate back pain by reducing inflammation and pain due to its gingerol and shogaol content, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the herb Epsom Salt (Magnesium sulfate) can help with back pain by reducing inflammation and relaxing muscles due to its magnesium content, which has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.
• Gel: A gel prepared from the herb Arnica montana can help alleviate back pain by reducing inflammation and promoting healing due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Balm: A balm prepared from the herb Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) can help with back pain by reducing pain and inflammation due to its methyl salicylate content, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.