If you're currently suffering from a lumbar herniated disc, chances are you frequently experience numbness, weakness, pain, and tingling around the affected area. While steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone injections, and chiropractic manipulation can help alleviate the pain, these treatments may also cause unpleasant side effects.
In order to help ease the pain associated with a lumber herniated disc, try these two all natural pain relievers:
White Willow Bark
White willow bark contains an active ingredient called salicin. This ingredient acts as an antipyretic and an analgesic. Because it has a similar function and chemical structure as aspirin, it can be used to treat moderate to severe pain associated with a herniated disc. Unlike aspirin, white willow bark is 100% natural. Because it is full of healthy tannins that protect the lining of the stomach, it also has less gastronomic side effects than aspirin does.
In order to make a willow bark pain relieving tea, simply add a couple teaspoons of the dried herb into a pot of water. Put on your burner and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Once boiled, allow the mixture to steep for a half an hour or so. Once the water has become bright red in color, the steeping process is typically complete.
You then will want to strain the bark out of the liquid by using a mesh strainer or coffee filter. Simply pour the tea into your favorite mug and enjoy the comforting benefits! Because white willow bark has a very sour and pungent taste, you may want to add a spoonful of cinnamon, anise, or ginger to his hot beverage. This will help sweeten the tea up and make it more appetizing.
Cobra Yoga Move
The structured cobra pose helps extend your spine backward. In turn, this will help stretch the muscles in the affected area. Because the cobra pose strengthens the core of the body, it will help alleviate any pressure you may be feeling in the back of your body.
Stretching an injured area also helps relieve any inflammation you may be experiencing in that area. Because stretching stimulates blood flow and allows for blood to more freely enter the injured area, it can help reduce the soreness and stiffness you may be experiencing due to the herniated disc.
In order to do the cobra yoga move, you will need to place a yoga mat down on the floor and lie on your stomach. Once on your stomach, gently place your forehead down on the yoga mat.
You then will need to place each of your palms down in front of you. They should be an equal distance apart. With your legs straight out, use the tops of your feet and gently press them into the ground. You now will use your hands and press them firmly down. This will lift your chest off of the yoga mat. While holding this pose, lower your shoulders back to give the back of your body a good stretch.
Hold this pose for a couple seconds at a time. You can repeat this yoga move whenever you begin to feel any pain in the lumbar region. The more you practice this pose, the less inflammation you will notice and the more at ease you will be. If you would also like to try additional yoga poses to help treat lumbar herniated disc pain, try: the locust, downward dog, camel, forward bend, reverse plank, and dolphin pose.
The tips above are completely chemical free and all natural ways to decrease lumbar pain. They also are inexpensive treatments. Because both of these treatments can be done in the workplace or home, they also are very convenient. Click for more info on relieving back pain.
I have worked in a supportive role in the medical industry for over 20 years, and I have been amazed at the advances in medicine that have been made. While it is always great to hear about a new medication that helps cure a disease or a new surgical procedure that can help someone live a normal life again after an injury, I have been especially amazed at the research that has shown just how much our physical and mental health are connected. Since I keep on top of all of the amazing medical studies being performed and I know others are too busy to hunt them down themselves, I decided to start a blog to share my favorite health tips for keeping both your mind and body healthy.