Conventional medicine relies on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as the first line of treatment for back pain.

Although these medications can relieve many of the symptoms, they are associated with serious adverse reactions including renal failure and gastrointestinal bleeding.

A short-term course — three to five days — of an NSAID is okay, but I don’t recommend using this class of drugs on a daily, long-term basis.

Natural therapies offer just as much anti-inflammatory pain relief as NSAIDs, and are not associated with serious side effects. I have found the following natural therapies particularly useful for treating back pain:

• Bromelain

• Boswellia serrata

• Chondroitin sulfate

• Glucosamine

• Green tea

• Holy basil

• Pomegranate

• Turmeric

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

Using these natural therapies in combination is much more effective than using them singularly because there is a synergistic effect when natural therapies are used together.

Back pain can be debilitating. Although surgery may be indicated when a patient suffers from a mechanical condition such as spinal stenosis or a ruptured disc, natural therapies can also help many back pain sufferers.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of working with a well-skilled osteopathic or chiropractic physician.

A healthcare provider who is adept at spinal manipulation is worth his or her weight in gold if you have back pain.