Back pain can range from mild, to moderate, to so severe that the most basic activities such as walking, standing or even lying down can be downright excruciating. Fortunately there are ways to ease back pain quickly and effectively. In fact, there are several natural remedies and treatment options available to help cope with pain management issues, without the use of potentially harmful painkillers.

Whatever the degree of your back pain, consider the following self-care treatments. They have been specially designed to help speed your recovery, and reduce any future recurrences:

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy eases back pain with a manual stimulation of the muscles. A massage therapist applies the proper techniques and movements to break down scar tissue and release your muscles from the painful spasms that often characterize back pain.

This method is becoming increasingly common as a popular back pain remedy, and has achieved a degree of respect that allows it to be recognized as a form of medical treatment. A study released by the American Massage Therapy Association found that 54% of healthcare providers encourage massage therapy as a viable means to ease back pain. Specifically, massage therapy improves circulation, helps to alleviate muscle soreness, relaxes muscles, helps muscles move without pain, and increases the body's natural painkillers called 'endorphins'.

Water Therapy for Back Pain

When you have a back ache, there's nothing more soothing than soaking in a nice, warm tub. It only makes sense that doctors and therapists would take this traditional therapy one step further. Several forms of water therapy are commonly used to provide back pain relief. Among these are hydrotherapy and water exercise, the two most common categories of this valuable method of pain relief.

Water exercise is a suggested form of activity for those who cannot or should not participate in regular physical exercise. As a general rule, active and well-conditioned persons are less likely to suffer injuries or stress-related pain. That's why regular physical exercise is recommended for most individuals. For those with back pain, however, physical movements can be just too painful. These people still require exercise to keep their muscles strong and to avoid the development of atrophy as a result of muscular disuse.

Water exercise therapy is especially helpful for these individuals. The buoyancy of the water provides a huge benefit to anyone suffering from back pain, as water allows physical movement with far less pain and pressure. Are you interested in trying water therapy to ease your back pain? Be sure to consult a licensed physical therapist for professional assistance before attempting to perform any of the complicated exercise maneuvers involved.

Hydrotherapy, on the other hand, can help to ease back pain by loosening the muscles and ridding the body of toxins that cause pain and inflammation. Several studies have shown that soaking in a hot tub or warm bath will lessen stiffness, increase flexibility, and reduce the amount of pain medication used. In addition to hot baths, other forms of hydrotherapy include sauna or steam baths, douches and herbal wraps.

The world of medicine is expanding and progressing, and many people are turning back to age-old remedies with the hope of finding ways to ease back pain. Water and physical contact are two methods that have stood the test of time, often bringing relief that modern medicine simply can't. Ask your doctor for more information on water and massage therapy, and other forms of alternative back pain relief.