Updated on 15. November 2021 from ÁYIO-Q Redaktion
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Back pain is one of the most common disorders in western industrialised countries. Almost every third German is affected by this unpleasant ailment. In many cases, x-rays and other imaging procedures do not provide any clues as to the underlying causes. The treatment options in conventional medicine are accordingly limited. With its holistic view of people, naturopathy offers a completely different approach.
Back pain from a naturopathic point of view
Pain is the cry of the tissue for flowing energy
This wisdom from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sums up the view of naturopathy: If the energy in the connective tissue cannot flow undisturbed, the body gives a warning sign that our brain perceives as pain. Healthy connective tissue acts like a huge liquid crystal in which information (subtle signals) circulate freely. If there are disturbances in the energy flow, blockages, swellings and inflammations form.1
This finding is particularly common in the connective tissue of the back. When the discomfort occurs between the hip and the ribcage in the area of the lumbar spine, alternative practitioners speak of low back pain. Our spine consists of a total of 33 to 34 vertebrae: 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae as well as the sacrum (with 5 vertebrae) and the coccyx (with 4 to 5 vertebrae).2
Between every two vertebrae, spinal nerves emerge from the spinal canal in pairs and are connected to internal organs. The blockage of a vertebra can trigger dysfunctions of the associated organ. Likewise, it is possible that diseased organs cause pain in the back. There is a similar correlation between mental problems and back pain.3
Important note: In the event of severe or recurring pain, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Pelvic obliquity – a common cause of chronic back pain
According to a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2007, more than two thirds of all people worldwide have a pelvic obliquity.4 As a result, the pelvis of the affected person is not aligned straight, but tilts more or less to one side of the body. The reason is usually a functional difference in leg length. When standing upright, the longer leg pushes the pelvis upwards. The term “functional” indicates that the legs are anatomically the same length.
However, due to a blockage of one or more joints (ankle joint, knee joint, hip joint, sacrum and iliac joint), differences can be determined in length measurements. With a leg length difference of two centimetres and more, the statics of the spine changes. First of all, there is muscle tension and local inflammation, which also affects neighbouring nerves. A typical example of sudden lower back pain is lumbago (acute lumbar sciatica), in which a jerky movement exerts strong pressure on the sciatic nerve.
If a pelvic obliquity persists for a long time, it can lead to pain in all segments of the spine. According to chiropractors, everyone who suffers from back pain should therefore check their leg lengths regularly. If there is a functional leg length difference, it can be corrected with the help of simple exercises.5
Bowel problems can cause lower back pain
Our spinal nerves, which are responsible for the gastrointestinal tract, emerge from the spinal cord in the lower thoracic spine and the upper lumbar spine. Due to recurring diarrhoea or chronic constipation, the muscles in the first lumbar vertebra are often tense and can cause pain there. For the same reason, food intolerances such as gluten, lactose or fructose intolerance are also possible causes of back pain.
As part of a holistic treatment, naturopaths and alternative practitioners therefore improve the condition of the microbiome in the intestine. The term microbiome or intestinal flora denotes the total number of all useful intestinal bacteria with which humans live in symbiosis. In addition to eating high-fibre food with a high proportion of prebiotics (fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, natural yoghurt), the intake of living bacterial strains (probiotics) and vitamin D also promote our intestinal health.
Stress and psychological burdens as a cause of pain
Since internal problems are also related to our spine, back pain often has an emotional component. For example, worries about your own children or partnership problems can lead to pain in the thoracic spine. Persistent stress often leads to tension in the back muscles. In order to break this vicious circle, it is important to relax every now and then. In addition to lots of exercise in the fresh air, relaxation techniques such as meditation, mindfulness exercises or Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation are recommended.
What other naturopathic options are there for back pain?
In addition to osteopathy, chiropractic, yoga, the Alexander technique and spinal column therapy according to Dorn, all forms of treatment that optimise the flow of energy in the body are suitable. Well-known methods for low back pain include neural therapy, acupuncture, Penzel acupuncture massage (APM) and cupping.
Because breathing improves the mobility of our thoracic vertebrae and ribs, proper breathing can relieve chronic back pain. But who knows effective breathing exercises? Advice and expert help is available from the ÁYIO-Q Centre for Vitality. The innovative approach of ÁYIO-Q is based on the knowledge of the ancient Greek wisdom and vitality teachings. Affiliated doctors and therapists of the ÁYIO-Q centre combine detoxification programmes, nutrition, breathing and physical exercises as well as treatments with living spring water to a holistic concept.
Sources:
- The latest findings in quantum medicine confirm ancient Greek health teachings, at https://fundus.ayio-q.com/, retrieved 11/04/2021
- Netdoktor-Anatomie-Körperaufbau und Körperfunktionen-Wirbelsäule, at https:/www.netdoktor.de, retrieved 11/04/2021
- Naturheilpraxis-Neumarkt-Lehrtafel Wirbelsäule-Beziehung zwischen Seele, Wirbel und Organ, auf https://naturheilpraxis-neumarkt.de, retrieved 11.04.2021
- Apotheken-Umschau-Krankheiten-Symptome-Was-hilft-bei-ein-Beckenschiefstand, at https://www.www.apotheken-umschau.de, retrieved 11.04.2021
- Vital-fit-und-gesund-beckenschiefstand, auf https://www.vital-fit-und-gesund.de, abgerufen am 11.04.2021
