Mailbag: Beat Back Pain WITHOUT Risky Drugs
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 19, 2023
“I’m always taking ibuprofen for lower back pain. Is there something else for relief?”
– Sandra
Hi Sandra,
Ibuprofen is relatively safe for short periods (a week or so), but then some serious side effects can kick in.
Because despite being an over-the-counter medication, it can irritate the stomach, harm the kidneys, raise your risk of a heart attack or stroke, worsen asthma, trigger bleeding, and cause problems during pregnancy.
Plus, ibuprofen interferes with some medications. So, people with liver disease or bleeding problems should avoid it.
The highest dosage you should take of ibuprofen is 1200 mg daily.
But there are FAR SAFER options that could ease your back pain without all the risks.
- Stretching: Our bodies become tighter as we age, and we need to stretch to stay flexible. Find a stretching routine you can do every day (even when you’re NOT in pain). Stretching alone can fix most back-pain problems if you make a habit of it.
- Moving: Simply moving your body more brings new blood, oxygen, and nutrients to problem areas and sweeps away waste. I rarely recommend anything more than gentle walking or swimming for people with back pain.
- Anti-inflammatories: With back pain it’s vital to calm down inflammation. The best natural tools to do this are omega-3 fish oil and the herbs curcumin and Boswellia.
- Nutritional support: Magnesium naturally relaxes muscles and can help loosen up those involved in back pain. And research shows folks with lower back pain are often low in vitamin D. Boosting your D levels could ease the pain because of the vitamin’s natural anti-inflammatory and neuromodulating effects.
- Heat therapy: Applying a heating pad or taking a warm bath can help relax tight muscles, increase blood flow, and ease back pain. Use a heating pad on a low setting for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
- Cold therapy: Ice packs, cold compresses, or even a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel can help reduce inflammation and ease back pain. Use for 10–15 minutes at a time.
- Get Help: Chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists can provide back pain relief. And in some cases, they may even cure it. Find someone you trust and work with them.
All too often folks think there are only two choices with back pain: taking risky medications or suffering.
But that’s simply NOT the case. If you’re struggling with back pain go ahead and give these safer pain-relieving alternatives a try.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? CLICK HERE to submit your question and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Mailbag: Ease Peripheral Neuropathy Nerve Pain NATURALLY
“What is your position on peripheral neuropathy?” —On Pins and Needles Hi Pins, Peripheral neuropathy is a challenging condition that affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, often causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the hands and feet. Many folks describe neuropathies as feeling like pins and needles, tingling, or burning. When I...
Pancreas Protector Discovered in the VITAMIN Aisle
Most of us are concerned about our heart health. We also take steps to protect our brains. Even our kidneys and livers get some attention. But the pancreas? It’s seldom given a second thought—or at least, not until something goes wrong. And when it does, it can be serious business. The pancreas is vital for...
Study Reveals New Health Risk in Ultra-Processed Food
New research reveals that ultra-processed foods are even WORSE for our health than we imagined. And the problem isn’t just the sugar, salt, and artificial ingredients. There’s another sneaky threat lurking in convenience foods. And it could multiply their health risks… A recent study published in the journal Globalization and Health uncovered an alarming problem...
A Simple Vitamin Solution Combats Parkinson’s
Our understanding of the gut-brain connection has grown rapidly in recent years. So, it’s no surprise that scientists suspect a connection between gut health and the development of Parkinson’s. However, new research is adding more details to the picture. A groundbreaking study revealed two common nutrients are often critically low in folks with Parkinson’s. This...
The “Cellular Wildfire” Fueling Long-COVID Revealed
A significant number of folks continue to feel unwell after supposedly “recovering” from COVID-19. I have some exciting news if you’re one of the millions battling long-COVID. Scientists from the University of Queensland just uncovered a crucial piece of the puzzle—and all signs point to inflammation as the culprit. Let me explain… ***** This groundbreaking...
Top 9 Nutrients Needed to Maintain Good Health
Let’s face it… the supplement aisle at your local grocery store is kind of overwhelming. Standing there staring at rows upon rows of colorful bottles, each promising better health, increased energy, or miraculous benefits can leave you feeling downright dizzy. With so many options, how can you possibly know which nutrients are truly essential for...
The Mini-Movement Revolution Beats Traditional Workouts
I get it… not everyone loves exercise. But you don’t have to become a gym rat to get major health benefits. New research reveals that those quick trips to take the garbage out or go to the bathroom might be even MORE valuable than your scheduled exercise time. In fact, these mini-movement breaks could be...
Mailbag: Natural Fixes for Stubborn Toenail Fungus
“Is there an actual cure for toenail fungus?” —Feeling Frustrated If you are frustrated because you’ve been battling toenail fungus, I’m not surprised. Toenail fungus is incredibly difficult to treat. But don’t give up. With a combination of natural treatments and patience, relief is possible. Here’s what’s worked for my patients in the past… Tea...
Science Reveals Late-Night Anxiety is REAL (Here’s the Fix)
Ever notice how your problems seem WORSE at 3 AM? It turns out those middle-of-the-night anxiety-filled thoughts aren’t just in your head. Research reveals that your brain actually functions differently after midnight. In fact, what goes on during those dark hours could be sabotage your sleep and your decisions. But before you reach for a...
Normal Blood Pressure In 4 Weeks WITHOUT Drugs
High blood pressure affects millions of us. And these hypertension (high blood pressure) medications work, but they often come with unwanted side effects. However, we might have another option. A new study confirms that an often-overlooked root vegetable can help normalize blood pressure FAST… Research conducted by scientists at Queen Mary University of London revealed...