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Page 59
| the feet at night in a footbath containing a marigold infusion made from 1 tablespoon of petals to 1 quart of boiling water and allowed to cool. Dry thoroughly afterward. |
| Backache |
| Backache is one of the most common causes of both absence from work and seeking alternative medical treatment. Thorough professional investigation is needed to identify the cause of the problem; this can range from pulled muscles and damaged discs to poor posture, kidney disease, gynecological problems, or simply sitting in an awkward position for long periods. |
| Some sorts of backache are given rather grander labels. "Lumbago" simply means pain in the lower back (the lumbar region). "Sciatica" is a pain felt along the back and outer side of the thigh, leg, and foot, with accompanying back pain and stiffness generally caused by a damaged disc putting pressure on either the sciatic nerve or one of the many other nerves which start in the lower back area. "Fibrositis" is an inflammation of fibrous tissue, especially muscle sheaths, that often affects the back muscles, leading to pain and stiffness. |
| Obviously all these different sorts of backache require very different treatments, so accurate diagnosis is important. Similarly if the cause is associated with kidney weakness or a displaced womb, then these underlying causes need to be tackled, as simple backache remedies will only provide symptomatic relief. In all these cases, professional advice is essential. |
| If the problem is really originating from the back itself then often treatment from an osteopath, chiropractor, or acupuncturist can solve the problem. Massage from a therapeutic masseur or physiotherapist can also give relief, while poor posture can be corrected by learning the Alexander Technique. |
| For persistent backache with no obvious cause, changing sleeping positions can sometimes help. A firm, supportive mattress is essential. Lying on your back with knees bent and curling into a small ball with the spine curved can often bring relief. |
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