Many people have back pain and stiffness.  And, they’re not getting the relief they need and want. Why?  Because, the cause of their back pain isn’t diagnosed.  They’re examined by a doctor.  The doctor doesn’t find anything wrong with their back.  And, they’re prescribed anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxers or pain medication. The cause of the pain isn’t identified.  The symptoms are treated, but many times they’re still stiff, tight, and uncomfortable. Relief? How do they get relief? First, we should try to find what the cause could be.  When people tell me they have back pain together with muscle tightness that points me toward a condition called fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is becoming more widespread.  It’s estimated that millions of new cases are identified every year. Natural supplements and minerals have been effective in providing relief.  In particular, Malic Acid and Magnesium.  But, it’s important to get the right kind of Malic Acid and Magnesium.  Some versions can be ineffective and potentially harmful. Malic Acid For Malic Acid, the “L” version, or L-Malic Acid is the natural version.  D-Malic Acid is synthetic and could be harmful to your kidneys.  So, avoid D-Malic or DL-Malic Acid. You’ve likely consumed Malic Acid before, but didn’t realize it.  Green apples, like the Granny Smith variety, have a tart flavor.  That tartness is from Malic Acid. Here’s a version of an L-Malic Acid supplement. What’s the dosage?  It’s best to start slow.  Many people begin with 500 mg per day.  And, some folks ramp it up to 2,400 mg per day.  That sounds extreme. People I know who’ve gotten relief started at 500 mg and increased to 1000 mg per day.  You may need more or less.  Be aware that at higher dosages, Malic Acid has a laxative effect. Magnesium It’s become very common for people to have Magnesium deficiencies.  Magnesium is vital to many processes in the body.  Deficiencies cause health issues. There are literally a dozen different kinds of Magnesium supplements.  Most are not well absorbed by the body.  Don’t waste your money and time on poorly absorbed versions of Magnesium. Magnesium Glycinate is known to be a version with better absorption.  Here's a supplement. What’s the dosage?  Well, I’ll state it again.  It’s best to start slow.  Many people begin with 200 mg per day.  And, some folks ramp it up to 600 mg, or higher, per day.  Proponents of Magnesium would tell you the upper limit is much higher than that. People I know who’ve gotten relief started at 200 mg and increased to 400 mg per day.  You may need more.  Be aware that at higher dosages, Magnesium has a laxative effect. How Long? So, how long does it take to feel the effects?  For some people, they may not feel the effects for 6 months.  The people I know started feeling partial relief in 2 to 4 weeks.  And, many of them increased the dosages over time to tailor the relief to their own condition. Do these supplements work for everyone?  No. But, many people were sick and tired of taking anti-inflammatories and other drugs.  They were treating the symptoms and not the cause.   And, many times still stiff, tight, and in pain. For some people, it’s worth trying. After you give it a try, please send me an email.  We’d be interested in your results.