Back pain is a common issue that affects many people around the world. Fortunately, there are a variety of remedies, including some passed down from our ancestors, that can provide relief. One such remedy is using a bar of soap in bed for back pain. In this article, we will discuss the types of soap that can help relieve back pain, the method of use, and the potential explanations for its effectiveness.
What Kind Of Soap In Bed for Back Pain Relief
Here are some suggestions for soaps that may help relieve back pain when used in bed:
- Epsom salt – Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate which can help reduce inflammation and relieve back pain. You can add about 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak in it for at least 15-20 minutes. The magnesium helps relax the muscles and reduce back spasms.
- Lavender oil soap – Lavender essential oil has soothing and pain relieving properties. A lavender infused soap or adding a few drops of lavender oil to a mild soap can help relax back muscles and relieve pain. The aroma of lavender itself has a calming effect which can help you sleep better.
- Peppermint or eucalyptus soap – Peppermint and eucalyptus also have cooling, refreshing and pain relieving properties. They help relax tense back muscles and relieve inflammation. Soaps infused with peppermint or eucalyptus oil can ease back pain and reduce symptoms like muscle spasms.
- Oatmeal soap – Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. An oatmeal infused soap helps moisturize and exfoliate the skin while easing irritation and inflammation. It helps calm back muscles and relieve pain from conditions like sciatica or muscle strain. Colloidal oatmeal soap is especially beneficial for relieving back pain.
- Arnica soap – Arnica is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat pain and inflammation. Arnica infused soap helps relieve muscle aches and pains, reduce inflammation and ease back pain caused by injuries, strains or sprains. However, arnica may cause skin irritation in some people when used regularly. Do a patch test to ensure you are not sensitive to arnica before using an arnica infused soap.
- Aloe vera soap – Aloe vera gel has soothing and healing properties that can help relieve back pain. An aloe vera infused soap moisturizes the skin, reduces inflammation and eases pain from muscle strain or sciatica. Aloe vera also helps relax tense back muscles that often contribute to pain.
The best kind of soaps for back pain are ones that contain Epsom salt, lavender oil, peppermint or eucalyptus oil, oatmeal, arnica or aloe vera.
Use these for regular bathing or a warm Epsom salt bath for maximum relief from your back pain.
How to Use Soap for Back Pain Relief
Here are the steps to use soap to relieve back pain:
- Use a mild and unscented soap. Avoid heavily perfumed soaps as they may irritate the skin. A mild soap like dove or castile soap is recommended.
- Cut the soap into patches or slices. Cut a bar of soap into small square patches, about 1 to 2 inches in size. Or slice the soap into 1/4 inch thick slices. Smaller pieces will contour better to your back.
- Place the soap pieces under the sheet before bedtime. Place 2-3 soap pieces directly under the area of your back that is painful or sore. Space the pieces a few inches apart.
- Lie down and relax. Get into a comfortable sleeping position and relax. The soap will gently warm up to your body temperature and conform to the contours of your back.
- Keep the soap in place all night. Leave the soap pieces under your back the entire night while sleeping. Remove them in the morning after waking up.
- Repeat daily or as needed. You can place the soap pieces under your back sheets daily or a few times a week as needed to relieve back pain. The soap method can be used in combination with other remedies like applying a heating pad, gentle massage, etc.
The soap is believed to have a soothing effect due to a few reasons:
- The gentle warmth from the soap may help relax tense back muscles.
- The soap may have a placebo effect and the sensation of the soap pieces under the back gives a soothing feel.
- Certain ingredients in the soap like glycerin may help moisturize and soften the skin, providing a soothing effect.
- The soap may gently massage and stimulate pressure points on the back, releasing endorphins that help reduce pain.
This is a gentle method and natural remedy to try for back pain relief. However, for chronic or severe back pain, it is best to consult a doctor. The soap method provides temporary relief and should not replace medical treatment.
How Does it Work?
The soap method for relieving back pain is believed to work in several ways:
- Soothing warmth: The soap patches placed under the back gently warm up to body temperature. This warmth helps relax tense back muscles and increase blood flow to the area. The warmth has a soothing and relaxing effect that may help alleviate back pain.
- Placebo effect: The very act of placing the soap patches under the back and the sensation of the soap against the skin may have a placebo pain relieving effect. The brain perceives the soap as having a beneficial purpose, which can help reduce the perception of pain.
- Moisturization: Certain soaps, especially those containing glycerin, help moisturize and soften the skin. This moisturizing effect may help reduce any inflammation in the tissues under the back and provide a soothing sensation.
- Gentle massage: The soap patches placed under the back provide a very subtle massaging effect. As you move in bed, the soap gently massages and applies pressure to the back muscles and tissues. This gentle stimulation may help relieve spasms in the back muscles and stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
- Comfort: The very act of lying down and sleeping with the soap patches in place allows the back muscles to relax. This rest and relaxed position can help alleviate back strain and reduce pain in the muscles and spine. Lying flat also allows the back vertebrae and muscles to align in a comfortable position, which provides comfort.
So in summary, the soap method is thought to relieve back pain through generating warmth, moisturizing the back, gentle massage, a placebo effect, rest in a comfortable lying down position, and aligning the back vertebrae. The soap alone does not have any medicinal effects, but it provides a soothing combination of effects that can naturally and temporarily reduce back ache. For chronic back problems, medical diagnosis and treatment is still needed. The soap method can be used as a complementary home remedy.