When you suffer from chronic lower back pain, you may still have flare-ups even when you are undergoing medical treatment. If you are looking for a way to calm the pain and discomfort at home, use the following two-step remedy using ingredients you can find in grocery stores and pharmacies.
Step 1: Soak In A Warm Herbal Tea And Oil Bath
The first step in this remedy uses the calming effects of chamomile tea and the pain-relieving attributes of peppermint oil to loosen your tight muscles. The bath also opens the pores of your skin to prepare it for the application of the ointment used in the second step.
Seep four chamomile tea bags in hot water for 15 minutes. While they are seeping, fill your bathtub with enough warm water to completely submerge your lower back while laying back.
Remove the tea bags and add 10 drops of peppermint oil to the tea. Pour and mix it into the bath water. Give the tea five minutes to fully disperse in the water.
Lay back in the water and soak for 10 minutes. Then, pat your skin dry and go on to the second step.
Step 2: Apply A Homemade Ointment
After soaking in the herbal tea and oil bath, this homemade ointment is applied to relieve any remaining pain. The petroleum jelly acts as a carrier for the cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper contains capsaicin. When absorbed into the skin, it temporarily blocks the perception of pain in the nerve fibers.
In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together one tablespoon of petroleum jelly and one teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Apply a thin layer to your lower back.
Before using the ointment, apply a small amount to your skin to see if any irritation develops. If you have highly sensitive skin, the pepper could cause redness and itching. If you do see a reaction, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper to a half of a teaspoon.
After applying the ointment, lay a warm, moist towel across your back for 10 minutes. The heat and moisture help speed up absorption. Once the time is up, wipe the excess ointment off.
Using the above home remedy once a day can help calm the inflammation and pain in your lower back during occasional flare-ups. However, if you start having a noticeable increase in the frequency of these flare-ups, you may want to speak with your back pain specialist about altering your current treatment plan. To learn more, contact Chiropractor Plus.
Share25 April 2015
Do you remember the first day you woke up with back pain? If you are like most folks, you probably tried to write off the problem until you realized that the issue was impacting your mobility. Back pain is serious, but not everyone takes the issue seriously at first. Not only can a little back spasm make it hard to shower, walk, or even sit comfortably, but back pain can also be a symptom of a deeper problem. The goal of my blog is to educate the public about back pain, so that you know how to tell when you are really in trouble.
