The Ugly Truth Behind Muscle Relaxants
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 17, 2020
Do you struggle with back pain?
If so, this time of year might be particularly difficult for you. From hanging Christmas lights, putting up the tree, and wrapping your grandkids presents, it can make an already painful back, just that much more unbearable.
And what happens when you walk into your mainstream doc’s office? He’ll prescribe you an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants. This standard care.
Now we can discuss the boatload problems with the mainstream and anti-inflammatories another time, but what about those muscle relaxants?
Brace yourself for the ugly truth.
A new research study suggests that muscle relaxants are NOT HELPFUL and are being prescribed for no good reason.
That is a problem because there are 2.6 million visits to emergency room department’s every year for lower back pain – and every one of those people are walking out with a prescription for muscle relaxants (such as: baclofen, metaxalone, tizanidine, diazepam, orphenadrine, methocarbamol, or cyclobenzaprine).
The study, presented at The American College of Emergency Physicians online conference, enrolled 889 patients with low back pain visiting an urgent care center.
The people in the study were either given anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) with muscle relaxants or NSAIDS and a placebo.
After one-week researchers found no difference between placebo or the group with skeletal muscle relaxants. The side effects of muscle relaxants are enormous, including drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, fatigue, problems walking.
And forget it if you have liver, kidney, or heart problems – these drugs are not to be prescribed to people with those conditions (but they often are).
Not to mention muscle relaxants are highly addictive.
But here’s the thing: NO drug treatment has been shown to provide a moderate or large effect on people with acute back pain. Using natural anti-inflammatories and moving your body is the only way to get out of back pain.
Dr. Scott’s Back Pain Solution:
- Stretch: Our bodies become tighter as we age, and we need to stretch to keep us flexible. Find a stretching routine you can do every day (even when you are not in pain). Stretching alone can fix most people’s back pain if they make a habit of it.
- Move: Moving your body helps to bring new blood, oxygen, and nutrients as well as take away waste. I rarely recommend anything more than gentle walking or swimming for people with back pain.
- Anti-inflammatory: With back pain, you need to calm down inflammation. The best natural tools for this are Omega-3 fish oils and the herbs curcumin and Boswellia.
- Nutrients: Magnesium is needed to help muscles relax and Vitamin D has been shown to help reduce pain.
- Get Help: I like chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncture for back pain. Find someone you trust and work with them.
P.S. Believe it or not, research suggests that spending time in quarantine and cooped up at home more can actually have your backpain skyrocketing. Find out how to find natural relief here.
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
Discover How Gut Bugs Shape Your Brain Health
We’ve all experienced an intuitive “gut feeling” before. But what if I told you your gut is doing FAR more than just sending you hunches? A new study has uncovered a fascinating link between the bacteria in your digestive system and your brain health. It might just change everything we thought we knew about preventing...
Build a Stronger Immune System at Any Age
As we age our immune systems need a little extra TLC to keep us healthy and strong. But don’t worry, boosting your immunity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best immune-boosting strategies are simple habits you can incorporate into your daily routine. So, let’s dive into some tried-and-true tips...
Natural Solutions to Snoring
Regardless of whether you’re the snorer or the unfortunate bedmate, snoring is a source of stress for countless couples. The endless, rhythmic, sawing sounds can disrupt the rest of even the deepest sleepers. But before you resort to earplugs or separate bedrooms, let’s explore some natural ways to tackle snoring. Snoring isn’t just annoying. It...
Shedding New Light on Depression with this “Sunlight” Hack
You’ve likely heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This form of the blues hits as the leaves fall and the days grow shorter. Well, new research reveals that the same therapy that helps many folks battling SAD feel better could be a ray of hope for those fighting other types of depression, too. Here’s what...
Mailbag: Reverse Atherosclerosis Naturally? Science Says Yes—Here's How
“What actually reverses heart clogging?” -Heartfelt Hi Heartfelt, I have good news. We used to think reversing arterial plaque buildup or “heart clogging” was impossible, but now we know better. When my own patients ask me about atherosclerosis (the medical term for clogged arteries), I explain that—while complete reversal can be challenging—research confirms that specific...
Study Pinpoints Foods That Send Disease Risk Soaring
We’ve all heard that old saying, “You are what you eat.” Well, it’s been around for so long because it’s true. And it turns out your dinner plate could secretly stoke the fires of disease in your body. A new study revealed a shocking truth about the American diet. This time it’s not about calories...
Feast Without Fear of Packing on the Pounds
With all the festive feasts and indulgent treats this holiday season, many of us are already bracing for the inevitable battle of the bulge. But is holiday weight gain really as unavoidable as we think? Let’s unwrap the truth behind this seasonal struggle (pun intended). And I’ll share some simple strategies to keep those extra...
PLAY Your Way to Better Brain Health!?
Are you convinced video games are just for kids? Well, think again! A remarkable new study suggests that playing the RIGHT kinds of games could help turn back the clock on your brain, improving cognitive performance, memory, and more. The best part? You probably already have everything you need to get started—right in your pocket…...
'Tis the Season for A Tumultuous Tummy?
The holiday season is in full swing! And you know what that means… lots of festive food, drinks, and—indigestion. But you don’t have to let a bubbly gut crash YOUR Christmas party. I’ll share some simple hacks to help you keep the festivities going… The holidays are brimming with celebrations and plenty of rich food...
These Morning Rituals WILL Change Your Life
We’ve all heard the saying, “The early bird catches the worm.” But what if the early bird could do more than just catch a worm? What if those first few hours of the morning could set you up for success, improve your health, and boost your overall well-being? Welcome to the world of transformative morning...