If you constantly suffer from muscle spasms in your lower back, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do at home to relieve your discomfort. Besides medications and stretching exercises, use the following natural remedy to relax your muscles and alleviate your pain.

Step 1:  Soak In A Warm Epsom Salt And Peppermint Oil Bath

The first step in this natural home remedy involves soaking in a warm bath solution that includes Epsom salt and peppermint oil. Epsom salt is widely used for relieving sore, stiff muscles by drawing out the inflammation and swelling.

Peppermint oil absorbs into the skin, numbing the nerve endings and giving you relief from the pain. The oil can be found in the pharmacy department of most stores.

When filling your bathtub, do not allow the water to get too hot. Because the peppermint oil desensitizes your skin, you could burn it without realizing it. Test the temperature of the water before adding the oil to make sure.

After filling your tub halfway, add two cups of Epsom salt and 20 drops of peppermint oil. Allow the salts to dissolve for 10 minutes. Then, use a washcloth to disperse the ingredients throughout the water.

Get into the bathtub and lay back, submerging your entire back. If needed, fold a towel and use it as a pillow. You can also use one for the lower curve of your back to add extra support.

Soak in the water for 15 minutes. Then, rinse off in the shower using warm water. Pat yourself dry and proceed to the next step.

Step 2:  Apply An Herbal Poultice

After you have soaked your back, this step uses an herbal poultice that includes chamomile tea, peppermint oil, and cayenne pepper. You will also need petroleum jelly, a small saucepan, a small bowl, a roll of plastic wrap, and a clean towel.

The chamomile tea used in the poultice causes the muscles to relax. It also softens the skin, easing the absorption of the other ingredients. As in the first step, the peppermint oil is used to numb the nerve endings to relieve the pain.

Cayenne pepper is used because it contains capsaicin. This ingredient is used in many over-the-counter preparations. It serves as a muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory agent. Make sure you do not use more than is listed, however. Cayenne pepper could burn your skin if too much is used in the preparation.

Bring a quarter of a cup of water to a boil in the saucepan. Remove the pan from heat and place two chamomile tea bags in the water, steeping for 10 minutes.

While the tea is steeping, measure out a quarter of a cup of petroleum jelly and put it into the bowl. Add 15 drops of peppermint oil, stirring it in thoroughly. Then, mix in a half of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Add an eighth of a cup of the chamomile tea to the poultice. Mix all of the ingredients together.

Tear off a piece of plastic wrap that will cover your entire lower back. Spread the poultice mixture onto the plastic and place it on your skin. 

Wet the clean towel with warm water and place it on top of the plastic. The moist heat will help with the absorption and prevent the mixture from drying out.

After 10 minutes, remove the towel and plastic. Then, rinse the poultice off with warm water.

Using this home remedy twice a day along with any medical treatment can give you relief from your muscle spasms. However, if you notice an increase in their frequency or your pain, you may want to speak with your back doctor or or visit http://www.swfna.com to learn more about other treatment options.