A Natural Supplement for Nagging Back Pain

Do you experience nagging back pain that makes it difficult for you to get through the day? Back pain affects up to sixty percent of people and is a major cause of disability and pain. Being sore in the back can make it difficult to work, drive a car, lift heavy objects, or sleep comfortably at night. Unfortunately, most people end up requiring medications to treat back pain which usually consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. While these medications reduce the pain and inflammation for some people, side effects can be a problem.

NSAID for Nagging Back Pain: Why They Aren’t Good

The reality is that anti-inflammatory drugs aren’t always safe. Some anti-inflammatory medications are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and almost all of them cause stomach irritation and gastrointestinal bleeding. You even run the risk of kidney problems if you use them long term. Obviously, it’s best not to take anti-inflammatory medications if there are better alternatives available. So how can you get relief if you’re sore in the back?

Omega-3’s for Nagging Back Pain: A Study

A study published in the journal Surgical Neurology showed that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can help to relieve nagging lower back pain. Omega-3’s are found naturally in fatty fish and in fish oil supplements that are available from many vitamin distributors.

In this study, 250 people suffering from either non-surgical neck or back pain were given a dose of either 1200 mg. or 2400 mg. of omega-3’s to take daily for seventy-five days. The results? Fifty-nine percent of the participants who took omega-3’s were able to discontinue non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. The majority said they would continue using the supplements because of the improvement they experienced in their symptoms. Best of all, these patients suffered no significant side effects.

Sore in the Back?: Why Omega-3’s Help

Omega-3’s have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Their anti-inflammatory power rivals that of ibuprofen without the increased risk of stomach irritation or heart attack. In fact, omega-3’s are often taken to lower triglyceride levels and improve heart health. Side effects are uncommon with omega-3’s, although some people report a fishy taste in their mouth and a few experience mild stomach upset. People who have bleeding disorders or take blood thinners, even aspirin, shouldn’t use omega-3 supplements without being under a doctor’s care. To treat nagging back pain, it’s a safer alternative to prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

Omega-3’s for Nagging Back Pain: A Safer Way to Get Relief?

If you’re sore in the back and looking for a safe way to treat the symptoms, talk to your doctor about starting an omega-3 supplement. It’s a healthier alternative to anti-inflammatory medications.