Back pain is one of the most common ailments of mankind. Ever since human beings stood upright they have been having trouble with their backs. In fact, experts estimate that roughly 80 percent of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives, and slightly more men suffer from it than women.

In the majority of cases, it is impossible to identify the exact cause of backache. In about 25 per cent of cases, however, it is possible to identify the cause. Often, these patients are suffering from conditions like a slipped disc, osteoporosis (brittle bones), deformation of natural spine curvature (scoliosis) or more rarely, skeletal damage due to tumours or infection.

The discs are pads that serve as "cushions" between each vertebral body. They help to minimize the impact of stress forces on the spinal column. Each disc is designed like a jelly donut with a central softer component (nucleus pulposus) and a surrounding outer ring (annulus fibrosus). The central portion of the disc is capable of rupturing (herniating) through the outer ring, causing irritation of adjacent nervous tissue and sciatica, as described below.

Causes of Backache

Nerve root syndromes are those that produce symptoms of nerve impingement (a nerve is touched), often due to a herniation (or bulging) of the disc between the lower back bones. Sciatica is an example of nerve root impingement. Impingement pain tends to be sharp, in one spot, and associated with numbness in the area of the leg that the affected nerve supplies.

Lumbar strain most often occurs in people in their forties, but it can happen at any age. The condition is characterized by localized discomfort in the low back area with onset after an event that mechanically stressed the lumbar tissues. The severity of the injury ranges from mild to severe, depending on the degree of strain and resulting spasm of the muscles of the low back.

High heels are very prolific causes of backache. The natural foot is constructed to walk best in a horizontal position, with the heel no higher than the sole of the foot. The muscles are designed to support the body best in this position.

Natural Home Remedies for Backache

Use a heating pad or hot water bottle to ease the pain. You can also massage the ice on your back but not directly. Whichever makes you feel better you can try that hot or cold.

Few of these exercises followed prove as excellent home remedies for backache. Lie on the back and raise legs upwards and hold the breath. Bring the legs down and exhale. Taking deep breaths and relaxing for few seconds.

Put buckwheat in a cloth, warm in the microwave and apply on the back for a few minutes.

Walking as a regular process is helpful. Essential medicines for getting relieved from backache are easily available at drug stores, but following home remedies are permanent solutions.

Backache may be due to many reasons. Disorders, which cause it, should be tackled first. Gout, constipation, a wrong posture and menstrual disorders of women can cause backache.

Drink some hot milk or water with powdered sonth, meetha soda, and salt.

In home based remedies, the idea is to use the chemicals naturally present in the herbs, spices and other foods to tackle the offending foreign element in the body that is causing the pain or infection instead of flushing the body with hundreds of milligrams of strong chemicals in the form of antibiotics. Though essential for chronic conditions, antibiotics are not always necessary and are best avoided, especially for a lot of minor ailments.