Back Pain

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory pathway effects. Curcumin (turmeric’s main polyphenol) down-regulates pro-inflammatory signaling (e.g., NF-κB) and enzymes such as COX-2 that drive pain and swell...

Instructions: Form & dose used most often in trials: Curcumin extract (standardized ~95% curcuminoids), 500 mg twice daily, sometimes up to three times daily. Taking with food/fat and/or with pi...

Warnings: Liver injury (rare but real). Australia’s medicines regulator (TGA) issued a safety alert after repo...

Studies: Chronic low-back pain (CLBP): A randomized, double-blind, pl...

Why it works: Ginger’s main phenolics (gingerols, shogaols, paradols) have anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions relevant to musculoskeletal pain:. • In lab and animal/human translational work...

Instructions: 1) Oral ginger (capsules/powdered root/extract). • A pragmatic starting point used by arthritis groups: ~250 mg capsule, 3–4×/day with food; do not exceed 4,000 mg/day total from a...

Warnings: Drug interactions & bleeding risk: Ginger can have antiplatelet effects and may increase bleeding ri...

Studies: Directly on low back painRandomized controlled trial (Thaila...

Why it works: Boswellia’s main actives (boswellic acids—especially AKBA) inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and reduce leukotriene production, key mediators of inflammatory pain; AKBA is a direct, n...

Instructions: Standardized extract & dose: Many trials use 300–400 mg Boswellia extract (often standardized to boswellic acids, ~37–60%) three times daily; some AKBA-focused products use ~100–25...

Warnings: Drug interactions (notably anticoagulants): Case reports and monographs caution that Boswellia may r...

Studies: Chronic lower back pain (CLBP): A 2024 randomized, double-bl...

Why it works: Non-opioid analgesic alkaloids. Corydalis yanhusuo contains multiple alkaloids—especially dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB) and levo-tetrahydropalmatine (L-THP)—that reduce pain signaling...

Instructions: Forms & typical TCM dosing (traditional use). • Decoction (boiled tea from the rhizome): 3–10 g/day of the (often vinegar-processed) dried rhizome. tcmwiki.com. • Powder: 1–3 g/day...

Warnings: Drowsiness / CNS effects (L-THP): L-THP (a Corydalis alkaloid) can cause sedation and extrapyramidal...

Studies: Human studiesExperimental human pain: A controlled clinical...

Why it works: TCM rationale (pattern-based): This classic formula “dispels wind-cold-damp,” unblocks painful obstruction (bì), and tonifies Liver–Kidney and qi–blood—a pattern commonly seen in c...

Instructions: Classical decoction (tāng):. • Typical composition & amounts (per dose) include: Dú Huó 9 g, Sāng Jì Shēng ~18 g, Dù Zhòng 9 g, Niú Xī 9 g, Xì Xīn 3 g, Qín Jiāo 9 g, Fú Líng 12 g,...

Warnings: General contraindications & pattern cautions. • Not for heat-bì/acute “hot” arthritis or pronounced...

Studies: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH)/disc-related LBP:Systematic rev...

Why it works: Traditional mechanism (TCM): Formulas sold as “Yao Tong Pian” are aimed at low-back pain patterns such as Kidney deficiency with wind-cold-damp and/or blood stasis. Typical ingredi...

Instructions: Usage varies by brand. Always follow your bottle’s label. Examples from reputable suppliers:. • Plum Flower/Mayway “Yao Tong Tablets/Teapills” (pill format): The label lists key he...

Warnings: Pregnancy: Contraindicated (commonly listed on Yao Tong Pian labels). Avoid while pregnant or trying...

Studies: There’s no high-quality human trial verifying Yao Tong Pian...

Why it works: How it works. Capsaicin activates TRPV1 receptors on pain-sensing C and Aδ nerve fibers. With repeated exposure (or brief high-dose exposure), those fibers become desensitized/defu...

Instructions: Over-the-counter creams/gels (0.025%–0.1%). • Apply a thin film to the painful area 3–4× daily, rubbing it in well. Relief builds gradually; judge benefit after 2–8 weeks of regula...

Warnings: Common effects: Burning, stinging, redness at the site—typically lessen after a few days; stop if se...

Studies: Chronic low back pain (musculoskeletal):RCT (n=320) of a cap...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory/analgesic actions (general to Boswellia): Boswellia resins contain boswellic acids that inhibit inflammatory pathways such as 5-lipoxygenase, leukotrienes, TNF-α...

Instructions: Best-supported route for back pain: Topical massage to the low back with a properly diluted blend.. • Dilution: Mix frankincense essential oil in a carrier oil (e.g., fractionated...

Warnings: Do not ingest. Essential oils are highly concentrated; ingestion can be irritating/toxic and is not...

Studies: For frankincense essential oil (topical/aromatherapy):Chroni...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory & analgesic actions. Lab studies of the key iridoid glycoside harpagoside show it can suppress COX-2 and iNOS expression by inhibiting NF-κB/AP-1 signaling—mechan...

Instructions: Pick a standardized product. Most clinical trials used extracts standardized to deliver 50–100 mg/day of harpagoside (the main marker compound). If your label shows harpagoside con...

Warnings: GI & biliary issues. Avoid if you have peptic ulcer disease or gallstones (can stimulate gastric aci...

Studies: Cochrane review (2014, low-back pain). Found low-quality evi...

Why it works: Aspirin-like anti-inflammatory action. Willow bark contains salicin, which is converted in the body to salicylic acid, inhibiting COX enzymes and lowering prostaglandin-mediated pa...

Instructions: Use a standardized extract that lists the amount of salicin delivered per day. The dosing used in clinical trials is 120–240 mg of salicin daily, typically for up to 4–6 weeks duri...

Warnings: Allergy / sensitivity: Do not use if you have an aspirin (salicylate) allergy, a history of aspirin-...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=210)....

Why it works: Warm water/heat helps back pain. Good evidence shows superficial heat (e.g., hot baths/heat wraps) can ease acute and sub-acute low back pain and improve function—likely by relaxin...

Instructions: Full-body bath: Dissolve ~2 cups of Epsom salt under warm running bath water; soak ~15–20 minutes. (Standard OTC labeling.) DailyMed. Warm compress: Dissolve 1 cup of Epsom salt in...

Warnings: Kidney disease: Use with caution—impaired kidneys can retain magnesium. Even with soaking, follow la...

Studies: For Epsom-salt baths specifically: There are no robust rando...