A.When someone first seeks treatment for lower back pain, the usual procedure is to start with conservative treatment. This is what your general practitioner did. Medications — including anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers and pain relievers — are certainly appropriate. Acute lower back pain typically resolves by itself over the first three or four weeks. If the pain persists, it may be wise to add a course of physical therapy as well as proceed with an X-ray workup.

A. You didn’t mention whether you had an accident or other trauma that may have prompted these symptoms; that certainly is an important consideration. In any case, though, because of the persistence of your pain and the fact that you have increased pain sitting, you might need a workup with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

This noninvasive study provides an image of the soft tissue of the spine, including the discs and nerve root, as well the bones. If the MRI fails to show any abnormality, then this is most likely an inflammatory condition or muscle strain.

Interestingly, a study on patients with acute lower back pain found that it didn’t matter whether a patient went to a primary care physician, a therapist, an orthopedist or a chiropractor; the outcome was the same in most cases. However, when the symptoms were prolonged, an orthopedic consultation did show benefit. At this point, you might either get a referral for an orthopedic evaluation, or your primary care physician certainly could order an MRI and, depending on the results, consider orthopedic evaluation.
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Note: Always check with a physician before treating your own ailments.

Aloe Vera
This is a succulent with thick fronds and is filled with a gelatinous substance that has analgesic (pain soothing) qualities. It helps heal burns, bee stings, and fly bites by taking the irritation and pain away.

Some naturopaths offer aloe vera in liquid form for relief of colitis, digestive problems or dyspepsia. A tablespoon or two every two to three hours is the recommended dosage. It has proven effective without the side effects of drugs or antacids which have a lot of aluminum in them.

Aloe vera juice or gel is considered safe and has no adverse effects.

THE CASTOR PLANT
Five drops of castor oil every morning is a natural treatment for allergies, rhinitis, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and eczema. It can be taken by a dropper on the tongue followed by water, or added to juice. After 60 days, the treatment changes to a couple of times a week. Some alternative health professionals even use castor oil to bring down the swelling of sprains, and for tennis elbow.

The liquid is applied to the injured area. Plastic wrap covers this, and on top of that is a clean wrap to keep the oil in place.

CHAMOMILE
Many people know of the claming effects of chamomile tea. It is also helpful for cases of anxiety and insomnia. However, it is also effective as a foot soak for calluses. It can be used as a poultice to relieve aching muscles.

For common nausea, chamomile and peppermint tea is recommended.

CAYENNE
Got a cold? Try a half a lemon and a quarter teaspoonful of red cayenne in a cup of hot water. Add a spoonful of honey to sweeten it.

ONION POULTICE
If you bang yourself and have a black and blue bruise, an onion poultice might just be what you need. Crush the onion. Put it in a piece of cloth.

Apply this directly to the bruise and leave on overnight. This will reduce the hardness, pain, swelling and discoloration.

Important note:

As with all herbal and folk remedies, it is important to check with a medical doctor to make sure your symptoms are not for something more serious.

This information is provided as a resource and not meant to suggest they are a cure-all or to take the place of medical advice. Folk remedies can help, but if they keep someone from seeking treatment from a doctor, they can be life threatening.

Do you suffer heart palpitations? One doctor recommends placing an ice cube in the mouth. It should work within minutes. However, if the palpitations continue or are accompanied by chest pain, call for emergency help.