Scottish Institute of Reflexology

BACK PAIN

Foods That Fight Inflammation
Two natural fats from plants act like anti-inflammatory medicines without the side effects of drugs. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is common in foods: vegetables, beans, fruits, wheatgerm and fish oils. The other is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is found in the seeds of the starflower, evening primrose, blackcurrant and hemp plants.

Relief from Nerve Pain
In homeopathy, Hypericum is used to treat nerve pain following an injury, due to its effective action on the central nervous system. It is useful for injuries to the spine, head, fingers and toes where there are many nerve endings.

Calc. Carb
This homeopathic remedy, made from the mother-of-pearl in oyster shells, is particularly good for treating problems with bones, joints and backache which are slow to heal.

Back Pain
In the UK, the Back Pain Association estimates that every year over 3 million  people consult their GP because of back problems. It is the cause of one hundred and twenty million working days being lost annually and costs the NHS around £480 million per year.

Supplementary Help
Glucosamine : research suggests that injuries such as torn cartilage, sprained ligaments and degenerative disease can be helped by this supplement.
Arnica: this traditional treatment for bruises is effective on any traumatised soft tissue surrounding the spine.
Devil’s Claw: this anti-inflammatory herb will also improve mobility.

The Importance of Water
At microscopic level there is a cushion of water surrounding each single nerve fibre. As this waterway system is used to transport chemical messages from the brain to the nerve endings it is imperative that anyone with back pain should increase their water intake. Remember, a dry mouth is the last sign of dehydration. Caffeine and other stimulants should be avoidStanding Tall
The standing posture has a great influence on the stability of the spine. Flexing one knee or pronation of the foot will lead to the spine being put under stress. As our heads weigh approximately 2% of our body weight, sudden or too much movement can have a detrimental effect. Clients with back problems should be encouraged to warm up before any exercise (especially gardening) to allow increased blood flow to the working muscles before commencing. Standing tall and straight and ensuring that the muscles of the spine are lengthened is also good advice.

Feed Your Bones
It is easy to forget that bones respond to good nutrition like any other part of the body. Bone mass peaks in the twenties but it is not static as bones are constantly being rebuilt. The structure is a mixture of protein and collagen which stores the minerals calcium, phosphorus and magnesium along with heavy metals the body find hard to eliminate. The ability to absorb calcium depends on vitamin D and the trace mineral boron, while vitamin C and zinc are essential for the manufacture of collagen and new bone cells.

Fashion Victims
Trendy hipster trousers can be a health hazard according to new findings in Canada. Some wearers have been experiencing a burning pain in their thighs caused by the low slung trousers squeezing a nerve under the hipbone. Something to be said for the elasticated waist, then?

Shoulder Bags
Beware of the heavy shoulder bag: Carrying a bulging shoulder every day will eventually weaken the shoulder muscles and also encourages the body to lean forward during walking 

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