Have you tried just about everything to end the agony. But your back pain persists?

You’re not the only one… 10% of the world’s population suffer from lower back pain. That is more than 750,000,000 people. It’s the world’s most common cause of disability.

Johns Hopkins research offers hope for a drug-free solution.

The participants in the new study were randomly assigned to three groups. One group underwent mainstream treatment. This included taking painkillers. A second group did a form of meditation called mindfulness-based stress reduction. A third group did cognitive behavioral therapy.

The meditation and cognitive behavior therapy groups reported more pain relief without risking drug side effects.

After six months, only 27% of the mainstream group reported any improvement. But 44% of the meditation group and 45% of cognitive behavior group had less pain.

Better Pain Relief Without Dangerous Drugs

Dr. Madhav Goyal was one of the scientists who conducted the research.

“This new study is exciting,” he said “Here’s a technique that doesn’t involve taking any pharmaceutical agents. It may not be for everybody. But for people who want to do something where they’re using their own mind to help themselves, it can feel very empowering.”

Mindfulness-based stress reduction is based on Buddhist meditation practices. The concept is to accept the pain rather than think of it as a negative force. Cognitive behavioral therapy also relies upon the mind to solve problems. It trains you to change unhelpful thinking and behavior.