Back pain is one of the most common medical problems among people nowadays. While most episodes of back pain become suppressed within a few weeks, this affliction still remains one of the most difficult and frustrating problems for people worldwide.

Accurate treatment of back pain depends largely on understanding the cause. The leading causes of back pain include:

Lumbar Muscle Strain - Lower back pain is primarily caused by muscle strains. A person may not recall an initial event that brought about their muscle spasm, but most cases of back pain resulting from muscle strains tend to dissipate within a few weeks.

Ruptured Disc - A ruptured intervertebral disc that is often classified as a herniated disc, is another common cause of back pain.

Spinal Stenosis - This is a common cause of back pain in the geriatric population. Reason being is that as we get older, the spinal canal can become constricted as a result of arthritis and other conditions. Should the spinal canal become too tight, back pain can be the result.

Arthritis - While this condition most commonly affects joints such as the knees and fingers, arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the small joints of the spine. Arthritis of the spine can cause back pain with movement.

Spondylolisthesis - In this case, adjacent vertebra become unstable and begins to "slip." The most common cause of spondylolisthesis is a result of degenerative changes causing loss of the normal stabilizing structures of the spinal column. Back pain can be the result of instability of the spinal column.

Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis can weaken bones and cause compression fractures of the vertebra resulting in back pain.

Before your doctor tries to push prescription chemicals, I’m referring to medications such as percusset or oxycodone on you, consider some natural treatments such as:

Regular Gentle Exercises - This is one of the best methods in preventing and treating back pain. Simple exercises such as gentle walking, swimming and even cycling while keeping your back straight are excellent choices. The key here is consistency.

Acupuncture - Acupuncture works by inserting small needles in parts of the body where energy is blocked. The insertion is said to unblock the energy pathways, thus relieving pain. One study included an average of 8 acupuncture treatments given to 159 people, while 80 people received usual care instead. After one year, reduced pain was evident in people receiving acupuncture. After two years, the group which had acupuncture performed was significantly more likely to report that the past year had been pain-free. They were less likely to use medication for pain relief.

Capsaicin Cream - Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers. When applied to the skin, capsaicin has been found to deplete substance P which is a neurochemical that transmits pain. I recommend applying 0.025% of capsaicin cream four times a day.

Vitamin D - Chronic muscle pain can be a result of vitamin D deficiency. The best source to get Vitamin D is the natural sunlight. After a study by the University of Minnesota which examined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in 150 people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, researchers found that 93% of patients had vitamin D deficiency. The researchers reached a conclusion that all people with persistent, non-specific musculoskeletal pain should be screened for vitamin D deficiency.

Magnesium - Magnesium aids in maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps keep blood sugar levels regulated, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Magnesium deficiency can result in symptoms that include muscle spasms and pain, premenstrual syndrome, irritability, depression, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and heart disease.