Natural Health: What can I take to ease my lower back pain?

Plus: natural ways of dealing with leg cramps

Pic: iStock

I’ve ongoing lower back pain, which I manage with ibuprofen. I’d like to switch to a natural alternative. What would you suggest?

I suggest you try a supplement called Boswellia. Made from the gum of the Boswellia serrata tree, it is an excellent remedy and can be used in place of ibuprofen.

The key ingredient, Boswellic acid, helps support the vascular system, so it works to relieve inflammation and ease vessel constriction.

In clinical studies, Boswellia has proven to be as powerful as ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain relief and can be taken as needed.

It works by opening up the blood vessels causing restriction and pain in the body, which makes it an ideal anti-inflammatory remedy for back pain. Solgar’s standardised full-potency Boswellia resin extract is available in health stores. Take three separate 150mg doses throughout the day for temporary pain relief. For intense acute pain, increase the doses to a maximum of 300mg each. This herb is most effective if you take it as you feel the pain coming on rather than waiting until the pain is severe.

Two additional long-term remedies for treating pain due to injury or degeneration in the joints are glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate.

Glucosamine sulphate provides the joints with elements to repair cartilage, tendons and ligaments, while chondroitin sulphate attracts nutrients and fluids to the joints, increasing lubrication and shock absorption capabilities.

Holland & Barrett has a range of capsules containing glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate, often together with MSM (organic sulphur), which enhances tissue pliability and repair, allowing fluids to pass through tissue more effectively and improve the availability of the other ingredients.

My seven-month-old son is teething and in miserable form. We’ve tried chilled teething rings and cold chamomile tea, but neither seems to work. What else can we do?

Keep up the good work with the chilled teething rings and the cold chamomile tea as these help to give relief. Little ones experience teething differently — some appear to sail through with teeth popping up without difficulty, while others have a miserable time.

You might also like to try the tissue salt combination formulated by New Era called Combination R. This greatly helped my children when they were teething. The tiny ‘fast melt’ tablets dissolve immediately under the tongue or can be easily crushed and added to a little water, breastmilk, or formula.

Combination R is a homeopathically prepared tissue salt formulation developed to ease any symptoms associated with teething — it can also encourage teeth that are ‘slow’ in coming through. New Era remedies are available from Homeopathy Supplies Ireland ( www.homeopathysuppliesireland.ie; 086-3779974), where 240 tablets cost €12.95. Use as directed.

My mum is 84 and has problems with leg cramps at night which wake her. You previously recommended magnesium and taurine. Is there a name for the combined supplement, and where can it be found?

Magnesium with 3,000mg taurine is an excellent combination when menopausal changes trigger insomnia, night sweats, hot flushes, migraines, palpitations, muscle cramps, and mood swings. 

Fortunately, magnesium will be enough to help your mum’s leg cramps. She can use a topical magnesium preparation as a spray, gel, or cream directly applied to her legs morning and night, which should be sufficient to help with the cramping.

• If you have a question for Megan Sheppard, please email it to [e-mail]
• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.