Treating Back and Neck Pain at Home: Alternative Therapies

Recently, more and more people of all ages have turned to alternative therapies in order to ease back or neck pain. Unfortunately, back pain is among the most common complaints, particularly for people over 50 years old.

Aside from the standard treatment recommended by your doctor, there are a few things you can do to improve your physical condition.

Today, I want to introduce you to 3 of my favorite alternative therapies for back and neck pain. Since we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, you can apply each therapy right at home (with a bit of virtual help from professionals).

Let’s have a look:

3 Alternative Therapies for Back and Neck Pain

Yoga

Yoga has been practiced around the world for centuries. However, its popularity increased during the past few decades due to people’s need for relaxation and simple physical activities.

Almost every form of yoga can stretch and strengthen muscles around the spine. In fact, Harvard studies reveal that practicing yoga regularly can improve your posture and may relieve pains around the body. Additionally, it might ease unpleasant symptoms caused by arthritis.

What is osteoarthritis and how you can treat it? Find out in our in-depth post here.

Mindfulness techniques

Our mental and emotional states have a major influence on how we perceive physical pain. Feeling relaxed and optimistic can help you manage your condition much better. Here are some examples:

• Breathing exercises. This technique is so often recommended because it really makes a difference. Turn off all devices for a while, close your eyes and breathe as slowly as possible while counting to 10. Simple as it may seem, this method can help you relax tensed back or neck muscles that might accentuate the pain.
• Pain movement. Focus on the area that hurts the most. Then, imagine the back or neck pain drifting away gradually to another area until it’s out of your body. This method does take some practice, so I recommend starting out with breathing techniques. However, once you master it, you may also feel better at least temporarily.

Spinal manipulation

This alternative therapy requires the help of a professional, such as a chiropractor or an osteopathic physician. If you feel that you need additional help to manage back or neck pain, you can benefit from such services at home too.

There are two types of practices in this case:

• Spinal manipulation which includes high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust, also known as HVLA. This maneuver is usually performed by a chiropractic.
• Spinal mobilization involves slow, firm movements of the spinal joints until they reach the full range of motion.

Captain’s Note: Note that the methods presented above may or may not have a positive impact depending on your condition.