Arnica is a member of the daisy family native to mountainous regions of Europe and Siberia. Its flower has been used in herbal medicine preparations to treat muscle aches and inflammation for nearly five centuries.
Although arnica is available as a homeopathic remedy to be ingested, most scientific evidence points to topical application as a cream to be the most effective way to get the plant’s anti-inflammatory and pain relieving benefits. Those benefits, according to multiple studies, rival the effectiveness of NSAIDs like ibuprofen.
Arnica as an anti-inflammatory
The main therapeutic effects of arnica are derived from its compound helenalin. Although the complete process by which helenalin works is not fully understood yet, it appears to play a role as an inhibitor in the complex process of protein regulated immune response which leads to inflammation.
Arnica improves circulation and stimulates white blood cells to eliminate congested blood (such as hematomas) for faster relief of swelling and bruising. This decreased pressure typically results in less pain at the site of injury.
Medicinal uses of arnica
Besides treating muscle aches and pains, arnica has also been found effective at providing tendon and joint pain relief for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Some preparations have taken advantage of arnica’s antibacterial and fungicidal properties for treating other external conditions as varied as eczema, acne, and burns.
How to take arnica
Arnica is most commonly used as a component in topically applied pain relief creams which usage has been scientifically proven to benefit the recipient when applied externally. Some homeopathic remedies are sold with extremely diluted arnica in forms safe for internal use including tablets, liquid, powders and teas.
Cautions
Arnica should never be directly ingested except in standard homeopathic preparations. Arnica should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding, particularly as some compounds found in arnica may induce labor. Avoid rubbing arnica into open wounds or broken skin.
Most people say they want to get rid of their pain, but they really don’t.
For some reason, they just really aren’t ready… otherwise they would have done it already or at least be actively working on it… relentless in their determination to get their life back.
Many of these people claim that if they only knew “how to” solve the problem they would. Yet there is more than enough of the how to… it’s everywhere…in books, videos, audios, doctors, etc… our entire website is full of some of the best how to there is when it comes to back pain… yet most people still don’t get relief… but not because the how to didn’t work, they don’t get relief because they are lacking the “want to”… a real desire to do what it takes to eliminate the problem.
I urge you to listen to this audio from Steve Chandler about the difference between the “How to” and the “Want to”… it’s this that can keep you stuck in pain or can set you free.
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If you’re struggling to get lasting relief from back pain or sciatica, I’m willing to bet that there is one thing that is keeping you “stuck” in pain…
And once you address this little talked about factor, you’ll finally get rid of the pain and be able to keep it away.
Listen to this life changing audio right now
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One of the questions we get most here at the Healthy Back Institute is: “what’s the best mattress for back pain?”.
A good mattress can make all the difference in the world for getting a good night’s sleep. When sciatica or back pain makes sleeping difficult, picking the right mattress takes on even greater importance.
Conventional wisdom says if you have back pain you should sleep on a firm mattress. This happens to be one convention that isn’t always so wise. In a study of over 300 adults with chronic lower back pain, those who slept on medium-firm mattresses consistently reported less pain both at night and upon arising as well as improvement in back pain related disability than those who slept on firm mattresses.
Before you rush out and purchase a medium-firm mattress, first consider the source of your back pain and your own sleeping preferences.
Mattresses for sciatica
Those with sciatica often find any amount of flexion will aggravate their condition. Selecting a firmer mattress is often helpful.
Mattresses for spinal stenosis
Those with spinal stenosis often find the opposite is true, with a flexed position providing back pain relief. A somewhat softer mattress will often make sleep more comfortable in this case.
Mattresses for lower back pain
While the study referenced earlier found a medium-firm mattress provided the best results for those with lower back pain, some individuals may find either a firmer or a softer mattress provides a better sleeping experience.
Try it before you buy it
One of the most effective ways many have found to select the right mattress is to try them out at different places first. If you achieve a noticeably more restful sleep when staying at particular hotel or sleeping over at a friend’s house and then wake up with less back pain, you have a good clue. At the very least, lie down on the bed at the store before you buy it – that’s why they have those plastic covers on the end. Many higher quality brands also offer a try at home guarantee. Since you’ll likely sleep on the mattress for the next 5 to 10 years, it’s worth making the best investment you can afford.
There has been little disagreement for decades that packing on extra pounds can be detrimental your health. Now there’s reason to believe higher levels of belly fat have a direct relationship with pain throughout the body.
Having an “apple-shaped” body with more fat around the midsection has been proclaimed as unhealthier than having a “pear-shaped” body where fat accumulates more on the thighs and buttocks for years. Excessive weight gain has also been associated with health issues such as an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Recent research at the University of Illinois and Washington University School of Medicine has found that fat stored in the mid-section really does play a large role in a key driver of disease and pain in the body: inflammation.
The latest research has discovered that visceral fat, which accumulates around the internal organs as opposed to under the skin like subcutaneous fat, releases high levels of an inflammatory molecule known as IL-6. These increased levels of IL-6 correlate with increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) associated with chronic inflammation. The resulting systemic inflammation produces a protein called Circulating Immune Complex (CIC). CIC is the culprit behind inflammation-related pain and swelling.
Visceral fat cannot be removed through procedures such as liposuction due to its location next to sensitive organs. Surgery also fails to reduce the size of fat cells. That’s why eating healthy, staying active and even taking nutritional supplements really are necessary to get many of the weight loss benefits of reduced pain throughout your body.
In addition, excess weight in the midsection places additional stress on the spine and muscles of the lower and middle back. So while being overweight doesn’t guarantee you’ll experience pain, it certainly does increase your chances.
You can find more information about how to lose weight without aggravating your back or other joints by browsing the articles section of our website.
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Arnica is a member of the daisy family native to mountainous regions of Europe and Siberia. Its flower has been used in herbal medicine preparations to treat muscle aches and inflammation for nearly five centuries.
One of the questions we get most here at the Healthy Back Institute is: “what’s the best mattress for back pain?”.
There has been little disagreement for decades that packing on extra pounds can be detrimental your health. Now there’s reason to believe higher levels of belly fat have a direct relationship with pain throughout the body.
