Homoeopathic Treatment of Backache

Backache

Backache or back pain is the pain felt in back. Pain can be cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral region. Lumbar or lower back pain is the commonest among all. Sensation of pain may differ with its cause. It can be dull, shooting, piercing or burning type of pain. 

Causes:

There are many causes of Backache but in 90% of cases cause remain unidentified. In 10% cases cause can be identified by imagine study. Following are some causative factors for back pain :

• Non specific in 90% of cases.
• Spinal disc disease.
• Degenerative disease.
• Infection.
• Cancer.
• Autoimmune.
• Referred pain.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis of back pain can be done from clinical history and physical examination. Proper history taking is important to know the cause. Any postural deformity can be identified by physical examination. For any spinal disc disease or trauma imaging study is necessary. Laboratory studies can be done to rule out infection, inflammation or any chronic disease.

Management :

Non medication management of back pain is necessary when the cause is unidentified. Massage, heat therapy, exercise, traction etc. can be done. If these measures remain ineffective then medical management should be done. Pain killers can be used for Backache. When serious neurological defect is seen surgery can be done.

Homoeopathic Treatment of Backache :

In Homoeopathy treatment is based on the individualization. We can not give medicine on the basis of diagnosis. But in clinical practice it is found that there are certain medicine which is used for particular diagnosis. This is known as therapeutic practice. Here are some medicine which are frequently used in Backache.

1. Arnica :

It is medicine for Backache from over-exertion. Pain in back and limbs, as if bruised or beaten. Soreness after overexertion. Everything on which he lies seems too hard. Cannot walk erect. Great fear of being touched or approached. Especially adapted to those who remain long impressed by even slight mechanical injuries. < By least touch, motion. > By lying down.

2. Actea Racemosa :
Spine very sensitive, especially upper part. Stiffness and contraction in neck and back. Intercostal rheumatism. Rheumatic pains in muscles of back and neck. Pain in lumbar and sacral region, down thighs, and through hips. Crick in back. Backache associated with uterine affection.  < in morning, cold, during menses. > by warmth.

3. Kali Carb. :
Great exhaustion. Stitches in region of kidneys and right scapula. Small of back feels weak. Stiffness and paralytic feeling in back. Burning in spine. Severe backache during pregnancy, and after miscarriage. Hip-disease. Pain in nates and thighs and hip-joint. Lumbago with sudden sharp pains extending up and down back and to thighs. < in cold weather, in morning at 3 o'clock. > in warm weather.

4. Variolinum :
Excruciating backache. Aching in legs. Tired all over with restlessness. Pains shift from back to abdomen. Breaking backache < Motion.

5. Oxalicum Acidum :
Numb, weak, tingling. Pains start from spine and extend through extremities. Drawing and lancinating pains shooting down extremities. Backache; numb, weak, Myelitis. Muscular prostration.  Sensation of numbness. Multiple cerebral and posterior spinal sclerosis. Lancinating pains in various parts; jerking pains. Backache associated with oxalate in urine. Pain worse by slightest touch.

6. Terebinthiniae :
Burning pain in region of kidneys. Drawing in right kidney extending to hip. Backache and soreness in kidney affections. Intense pain along the larger nerves; agg. damp weather. Stands with feet apart; has no power of balancing the body. Walks bent like an old man. As if pitch forward while walking. < in cold damp weather, lying down, pressure. > by motion, stooping.

7. Aesculus Hippocastanum :
Lameness in neck; aching between shoulder blades; region of spine feels weak; back and legs give out. Backache affecting sacrum and hips; worse walking or stooping. When walking feet turn under. Soles feel sore, tired, and swell. Hands and feet swell, and become red after washing, feel full. Backache associated with haemorrhoids. < by motion, walking. > in open air.