Much like stress, backache has become something of a common thing most of us have experienced at some point or another. Some of the most common causes of backache include bad posture, extended periods of time sitting in the same position, lack of exercise, excess body weight, carrying heavy loads, constipation and stress. In women some additional causes include wearing high heels or irregular menstrual cycles. The reasons for back pain are many and varied and can even be a combination of causes. A backache starts as a sharp or dull pain in the mid to lower back area. If the causes do not get treated and the problem persists, chronic backache can result and pain that spreads to both hips and waist.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Backache

Ayurveda regards backache as a dosha deficiency and uses an combination of treatments and changes in the lifestyle –- it can include anything from massages with different herbal oils, a change in the diet and exercise with a number of yoga postures that can help ease the pain of a backache. Yoga postures should not be done without a consultation with a yoga practitioner and/or a doctor’s consultation.

According to Ayurveda a slow and sluggish digestive system is partly the cause of backache. Ama (build up of negative toxins in the body due to incomplete digestive process) moves through the body’s circulatory system. It gets lodged in a particular part of the body or joints –- the result is backache or Vatta imbalance. To jump start the digestive system again, it would advisable to engage in a fast (after consultation with an expert).

Suggested Ayurvedic treatments to ease backache include:

• Gentle massage with mahanarayan oil. If you are predominantly a Kapha the oil should be massaged for a longer period of time to the affected area. For Pittas and Vattas just applying the oil to the affected area should be enough.
• Mustard or Sesame oil is also beneficial for massage purpose, but they do have to be rubbed in properly to the affected area. Also mustard and sesame oil can be combined with Camphor or Cinnamon oil (very good for detoxifying).
• Paste made from a combination of ginger powder and water can be applied to the painful area. It should be left for 10 to 15 minutes, washed away and then the area should be massaged with Eucalyptus oil.
• In many cases backache and constipation are closely connected. Basti (enema) should be administered if that is the case.
• Food wise one daily meal of eggplant is advised for a period of 2 to 3 months. Eggplant is good for removing the toxins from the colon. Aubergine should be mashed and fried with spices such as coriander, tumeric, garlic or cumin (according to taste).
• It is recommended that person suffering from backache should consume a lot of foods that are rich with vitamin C – such as citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables.
• Garlic is also useful for backache. It can be taken orally or 8 to 9 cloves of garlic can be cooked in mustard or sesame oil. Let it cool off and massage it to the painful area. Leave for 3 to 4 hours and then wash off.
• Yoga postures can also be beneficial for easing the pain of a backache. It will help to calm the mind and bring inner peace and that will affect the body as well. Some of the yoga postures that can help are:

The Cow
The Locust
Camel pose
Lotus pose
Forward bend
Plow Pose

Additional Comments

Backache is a symptom of the modern lifestyle and each one of us has suffered from it at one point or another. All of these Ayurvedic remedies can help to ease the pain, however two things should be remembered:

1. In case the pain is severe and it does not go away, medical consultation is required.
2. Without a change in the lifestyle such as regular exercise or yoga and without a change in the diet in most cases the problems with backache will persist.