Evidence supporting the use of: Omega-3 fatty acids
For the health condition: Backache

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties, which form the main scientific rationale for their use in managing backache, especially when it is related to inflammatory processes (such as in some cases of chronic lower back pain or conditions like sciatica or lumbar disc disease). Several small clinical trials and observational studies suggest that omega-3 supplementation may reduce the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and improve pain scores in patients with chronic back pain. For example, a commonly cited 2006 study in Surgical Neurology found that some patients with nonsurgical neck or back pain reported reduced pain and NSAID use after taking fish oil supplements for several weeks. The proposed mechanism involves omega-3 fatty acids' ability to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, thereby reducing inflammation and, potentially, pain.

However, the overall quality of evidence remains low to moderate. Most studies have methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes, lack of blinding, or short duration. There is a lack of large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials specifically focused on backache. Consequently, while there is a plausible scientific basis and preliminary clinical evidence, omega-3 fatty acids cannot be considered a robust, standalone treatment for backache. They may, however, be a reasonable adjunct in a comprehensive management plan, especially for patients seeking to reduce NSAID use. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting supplementation.

More about omega-3 fatty acids
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Other ingredients used for Backache

ashwagandha
beta caryophyllene
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
bасора
Cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
citrus oil
collagen
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
ginger
gotu kola
heartwood
hemp oil
horseradish
Indian tinospora
jujube
kudzu
magnesium
Milk
Moringa
mustard seed
spruce
omega-3 fatty acids
plantain
quail egg
rhizome
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
Almond fruit
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Water
white willow
Wild yam
sarsaparilla
Yellow root
squawvine
gastrodia
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
Mugwort
nut grass
Clerodendrum indicum
Hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
punarnava
paederia foetida
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
peony
Szechuan lovage
prickly ash
Morus
root tuber
silk tree
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
flowering quince
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
Morinda
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
purslane
Wintergreen
Menthol oil
aster root
Gentiana macrophylla
Wood betony
paw paw
Abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
clematis
Aralia
Akebia
antler
Ardisia
Achyranthes
anamu
Abrus
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Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
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Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteraceae
aspen
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
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atractylone
betony
bermuda grass
blue flag
Bryonia
Baliospermum
blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
Blepharis
balsam
bishop\'s weed
Boswellic Acid
Butea monosperma
black galingale
Barleria
big quaking grass
bugbane
butternut
bogbean
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
banyan
Black willow
ba ji tian
bee products
barbary matrimony vine
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
black root
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
borneol
Chinese silkvine
caryophyllene
Casearia esculenta
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Chinese mountain ant
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chymopapain
coconut oil
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
capillary artemisia
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
carry me seed
capsaicin
cramp bark
Chinese pond turtle
Chinese raisintree
Chlorophytum
chuchuhuasi
cowherb
curcumen
Centella asiatica
coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
corktree
Curcuma
cypress
Cornus
cannabidiol
Corydalis
costus
Collinsonia
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colocynth
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culvers Root
deer root
dragonhead
devil\'s club
David\'s milkberry
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Dichrostachys glomerata
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Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
elk antler
essential oil blend
elephant\'s head
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Flueggea suffruticosa
fang-feng
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fernbush
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frankincense
genipap
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golden eye-grass
giant blazingstar
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heal-all
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iridoids
iridoid glycosides
Ilex
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joe-pye
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Oroxylum indicum
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Psacalium peltatum
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prepared aconite tuber
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Pepper
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Polygonatum
poppy
Physalis angulata
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Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Qin Jiao
Queen's Delight
Rubus
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reed herb
ricinoleic acid
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sophora
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Scoparia dulcis
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Water Pepper
Willow
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Xanthophyll
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Zucchini
Zingiberene
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by omega-3 fatty acids

Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Defects (prevention)
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Bloodshot Eyes
Body Building
Broken Bones
Bulimia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Epilepsy
Exercise
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritability
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Muscular Dystrophy
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pets (supplements for)
PMS Type D
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Raynaud's Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rosacea
Schizophrenia
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seborrhea
Seizures
Senility
Sickle Cell Anemia
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Spinal Disks
Strokes
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Thinking (cloudy)
Thrombosis
Triglycerides (high)
Triglycerides (low)
Vaginal Dryness