A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has found that chronic backaches can result in shrinkage of gray matter by about 5-11%, which is the equivalent of shrinkage that takes place in 10 to 20 years of aging! 

The shrinkage, it appears, is related to the duration of the pain. It is a 1.3 cu. cm. of gray matter loss for every year of chronic pain.

Well, who could have thought of that! But now that we know, don’t take that back pain lightly. 

Again, remember that chronic back pain may not necessarily be because of bad posture. It is advisable to consult a qualified orthopaedic doctor when you have back pains. Osteoporosis (weakening of bones) is one of the major causes of back pains. If you have chronic back pains, consult your doctor now.

Tags: healthy living, natural health

Our sedentary lifestyle and invariably wrong sitting posture often cause back pains. While the main attempt should be to attack the cause, that is not sit for long hours, get some exercise, sit on an ergonomic chair and ofcourse sit in the correct posture, we do need an immediate way out when the back becomes stiff with pain.

• Lie down and rest: If you are at work, you do need a pain reliever for immediate effect. However, if you can afford it, get some bed rest.
• Get a soft, soothing massage with lukewarm mustard oil. Better still, make your own massage oil…you can make a good quantity and keep for future use. Here is how you make the massage oil at home:

Heat 1/2 litre of mustard oil. Put 25 gms. fenugreek seeds, 10-15 cloves of garlic, 2 tsp. ajwain (carom seeds) and 10-12 neem (margosa) leaves into the oil. Now, heat over a slow flame taking good care that no oil spills. Otherwise it can be hazardous. When the oil is well heated, the ingredients will turn black. Remove from fire and let it cool. Once it cools, sieve and bottle.

Note that massaging with this oil is good for relieving joint pains too.

Tags: ayurvedic remedy, home remedies, natural cure, Natural healing