Many people who have back pain do not know that they have degenerative disc disease. This condition happens when the discs between the vertebrae of your spine cause pain. Usually, this is happening as we are getting older because our discs begin to show wear and tear. The disc degeneration is happening in every single person as the discs take the damage from the general use of them over the years.
Some people may not feel any pain during this process but other people can start feeling pain in their spine. The discs in our spine are made of a soft inner core and harder outer shell and the shell taking damage is what is causing a pain. Many people panic that they can die from degenerative disc disease but in fact, they cannot. The main symptom of degenerative disc disease is the pain that can be felt in different parts of the body. You can feel pain in your buttocks, upper thighs, lower back or even in your neck. This pain can be nagging or sharp.
It can come and go and you will feel better when you get up and move around. Your pain can be worse when you are sitting. Also, the pain can worse when you bend and twist. There are rare cases when the degenerative disc disease can cause someone to be paralyzed. If you suffer from degenerative disc disease, then you should talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies so in this way you will avoid side effects.
Home remedies for degenerative disc disease
White willow bark: This home remedy is used a lot throughout Europe. It is possessing similar benefits with aspirin. Many people do not want to use medications so they choose natural remedies to get a relief from the pain. If you are one of them, then white willow bark is the right choice for you. This natural cure can be used for conditions which cause inflammation or pain and it can be used for the natural treatment of degenerative disc disease. Also, it will give you a relief from the acute back pain. [1]
Acupuncture: This is a practice which is used in the traditional Chinese medicine and it has been found that is useful in treating back pain that is associated with degenerative disc disease. In the ancient Chinese medicine is said that the life force flows along your body through pathways known as meridians. [2]
Any blockage or imbalance in the flow of the energy can cause disease. You can use the acupuncture as your natural treatment for degenerative disc disease. This technique corrects imbalances by inserting fine needles at specific body points known as acupoints. Before you start using acupuncture as your natural treatment for degenerative disc disease, you need to talk with your doctor if it is suitable for you.
Bone broth: This home remedy can promote the collagen production which is essential for the spine health. Also, it promote the health of the spinal discs and vertebrae which will keep them to work together as they should.
Eat the right foods: It is known that the nutrients which we consume, then they have a massive impact on the health. When we eat the right foods, then the production of collagen can be improved. Also, you can improve your body’s natural anti – inflammatory agents if we pick the right diet. You should add anti – inflammatory foods in your diet, such as probiotics, whole fruits and fresh vegetables because they can help to reduce your pain naturally.
Epsom salt: This is also an effective home remedy which can help to reduce the inflammation. You should take a bath in warm water and Epsom salt and you will notice the difference in your symptoms caused by degenerative disc disease.
Turmeric: You should add turmeric in your diet because it has anti – inflammatory properties. It has been found that this home remedy is effective for people who suffer from osteoarthritis. In one study, this natural cure has been compared with ibuprofen for giving a relief from the pain. Turmeric has a compound called curcumin which is responsible for its anti – inflammatory properties [3]. This is beneficial spice which you can add in your daily cooking. Also, you can brew a turmeric tea by steeping some turmeric powder in boiling water. You should sweeten this home remedy with honey and drink it a couple of times a day.
Peppermint oil: This natural cure is known as natural painkiller. It can help to reduce the pain so this is a reason why it can be used as a home remedy for degenerative disc disease.
Ginger tea: This home remedy is famous for its anti – inflammatory properties. In one study was shown that people who have osteoarthritis experienced a relief from the pain and reduction in their symptoms [4]. You should steep ginger powder or freshly grated ginger in boiling water to make a tea and drink this tea two to three times per day. Also, you can use ginger tea as your home remedy for degenerative disc disease.
Boswellia: It is known that the gum resin of boswellia can help to reduce the inflammation and ease the pain. It has boswellic acids which are giving this herb its beneficial properties. There are some studies in which are said that the boswellia is helpful for people who have osteoarthritis which is a condition that develops as a complication of degenerative disc disease. [5]
It can help to improve the pain and function and also, it can slow down the cartilage damage. Standardized extracts of boswellia have 150 mg of boswellic acid are recommended taking three times per day in a period of eight weeks. Also, you can use this home remedy if you suffer from degenerative disc disease but talk with your doctor about the recommended intake amount.
Fish oil: Fish oil can be used as a home remedy for degenerative disc disease. It has Omega – 3 fatty acids which are possessing anti – inflammatory properties. In one study was shown that people who have neck or back pain and who took Omega – 3 fatty acids have noticed improvements in their symptoms. Fatty fish, like mackerel, salmon, sardine and tuna are naturally having Omega – 3 fatty acids.
Yoga: This is an ancient discipline which originated in India. It involves practices, such as breathing practices, the use of body posture and meditation. There was one study in which one group of people who have degenerative disc disease practiced yoga and other group with degenerative disc disease who did not practiced yoga. With the magnetic resonance imaging was found that the long – term yoga practitioners had reduced the severity of symptoms caused by degenerative disc disease. You should talk with experienced yoga practitioner so he or she will help you to do this technique with right postures. [6]
Exercise: Even if you do not have problems with your weight, you should exercise because it will help to keep your limb and back strong. You can talk with a physical therapist to help strengthen and stretch the right muscles to help heal your back and get a relief from the pain. The good exercise session can include a warm – up, aerobic exercises and exercises which work on certain muscle groups, such as the lower back and abdominal muscles.
Lose weight if you are overweight: When you have extra pounds, then they can additional strain and pressure on your stomach and back muscles which is causing them to weaken. This is making difficult for them to support your back and even throws your posture off. It is very important to keep your weight at normal levels so you will reduce the stress on your spinal discs and you will reduce the symptoms of degenerative disc disease.
Massage: Massage can boost endorphins, relax muscles, ease stress and promote circulation. If you are not able to visit massage therapist, then you can ask for someone who is working at home. If you are lying on a padded table, then you should use a massage chair instead. There are many people who have said that the massage is not just improving their mood, but also it can help to reduce the back pain. Also, massage can help you to get a relief from the pain that is caused by degenerative disc disease. [7]
Devil’s claw: This natural cure comes from southern Africa where it has been used for centuries to treat gastrointestinal problems, arthritis and fever. Also, it possess anti – inflammatory properties. Nowadays, this natural cure is used for conditions which cause inflammation and pain like degenerative disc disease. You can find it in capsule form but talk with your doctor about the recommended dosage before you start taking it. [8]
References:
[1] Schmid B, Ludtke R, Selbmann HK, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a standardized willow bark extract in patients with osteoarthritis: Randomized placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research. 2001;15(4):344-50.
[2] Qin Z, Ding Y, Wu J, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: protocol for a randomised sham acupuncture-controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2016;6(11):e012821.
[3] Fadus MC, Lau C, Bikhchandanic J, Lynch HT. Curcumin: An age-old anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic agent. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2017;7(3):339-46.
[4] Altman RD, Marcussen KC. Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2001;44(11):2531-8.
[5] Siddiqui MZ. Boswellia serrata, A potential antiinflammatory agent: An overview. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2011;73(3):255–61.
[6] Jeng CM, Cheng TC, Kung CH, Hsu HC. Yoga and disc degenerative disease in cervical and lumbar spine: an MR imaging-based case control study. European Spine Journal. 2011;20(3):408-13.
[7] Avery RM. Massage therapy for cervical degenerative disc disease: Alleviating a pain in the neck? International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. 2012;5(3):41–6.
[8] Denner S. A review of the efficacy and safety of devilʼs claw for pain associated with degenerative musculoskeletal diseases, rheumatoid, and osteoarthritis. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2007;21(4):203-7.