When you suffer from back pain, each moment can feel like an eternity; a one hundred percent effective back pain relief cure has yet to be found but that does not mean that some easing of the discomfort cannot be found. Whilst prescription pain relief pills may in fact dull the pain to a manageable degree, they do not treat the root cause of the problem. Long term medication of pain killers is something that should be supervised as other problems can occur because of their continued use.

The back is under a constant strain throughout our lives and whilst it is very strong, it can be injured without to much difficulty; poor posture can also result in damage to the back and can happen when a person is quite young. It can also be caused if you are lifting heavy loads and usually characterized by a sharp pain to your lower back. However, a number of back pain relief treatments can be used without the need for drugs.

Stretching the back is often the simplest method of relief, stretching your back gently can relax your back muscles preventing them from becoming tense. Another type of treatment called reflexology uses a massage technique applied to the feet; some are finding relief using this treatment for back pain and other conditions. Another benefit to reflexology is how it can improve the circulation which helps to ease tense muscles.

Although acupuncture is an age old Chinese medical practice that has been used for thousands of years, it is only recently that the Western world has accepted it as an alternative form of back pain relief. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the theory that all people have this energy which flows through them called 'chi' or 'qi'. By inserting needles in specific parts of the body, it can help to unblock qi and restore the flow. Many sufferers swear by the use of acupuncture and results from many tests often back this claim; indications are the patient does receive pain relief by using this method.

Relief can also come from another Chinese treatment like tai chi which is a form of yoga but not so strenuous. Tai Chi is however very gentle and easily performed by young and older people. It focuses on breathing exercises with additional stretching movements. A good preventative form of back pain relief is to actually exercise more regularly; it would be a shame to forget the benefits that exercise can provide generally.