Back pain
Supplements studied for back pain.
Overview
Five supplements are indexed for back pain across 11 studies.
Devil's Claw (WA 72; medium effect size, high evidence, very high trust) has the strongest evidence, with several trials suggesting reduced low back pain and improved movement over four to eight weeks, sometimes comparable to ibuprofen. Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Ashwagandha, Gamma-Linolenic Acid, and Vitamin D (WA 36; very low effect size, medium evidence, medium trust) have only single studies or combination-product data, so individual supplement effects remain unclear.
Vitamin D trials across various doses did not clearly reduce chronic low back pain versus placebo. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Devil's Claw | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Vitex agnus-castus | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Ashwagandha | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Gamma-Linolenic Acid | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
6 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Devil's ClawView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking devil's claw by mouth may help reduce general low back pain.
- Some studies show it works as well as certain common pain medicines like ibuprofen.
- Different products and doses have been tested, usually taken two or three times daily for weeks or months.
- People often experience less pain and better movement in their back after 4-8 weeks.
- Devil's claw is usually safe but might cause mild stomach upset in some people.
Browse 7 studies
Systematic reviewHarpgophytum procumbens for osteoarthritis and low back pain: a systematic review2004
A systematic review found moderate evidence that devil's claw extracts at 50–100 mg harpagoside/day reduce acute low back pain exacerbations, with strong evidence for aqueous extracts at 50 mg harpagoside/day in chronic nonspecific low back pain.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 100 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
RCTA randomized double-blind pilot study comparing Doloteffin and Vioxx in the treatment of low back pain2003n=88
In 88 patients with acute low back pain exacerbations over 6 weeks, Doloteffin (60 mg harpagoside/day) was not significantly different from rofecoxib 12.5 mg/day for pain relief, though large sample sizes would be needed to confirm equivalence.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 12.5 mg/day
- Population
- Adults with low back pain
- Participants
- 88
ObservationalComparison of outcome measures during treatment with the proprietary Harpagophytum extract doloteffin in patients with pain in the lower back, knee or hip2002n=104
In a postmarketing surveillance study of 227 patients with back, knee, or hip pain taking Doloteffin (60 mg harpagoside/day) for 8 weeks, 50–70% reported benefit with few adverse effects.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 60 mg harpagoside/day
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 104
RCT[Effects of Harpagophytum procumbens LI 174 (devil's claw) on sensory, motor und vascular muscle reagibility in the treatment of unspecific back pain]2001n=31
In a 4-week double-blind RCT of 63 patients with mild back, shoulder, or neck muscle pain, LI 174 devil's claw (960 mg/day) significantly improved pain on visual analogue scale and muscle stiffness tests versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Dose
- 960 mg/day
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 31
Clinical trialEfficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum extract LI 174 in patients with chronic non-radicular back pain2001n=130
An open-label study of 117 patients with chronic non-radicular back pain given LI 174 devil's claw (960 mg/day) for 8 weeks reported significant improvements in pain and spinal mobility with good tolerability.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 960 mg/day
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 130
RCTEffectiveness of Harpagophytum extract WS 1531 in the treatment of exacerbation of low back pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study1999n=183
In 183 patients with acute low back pain over 4 weeks, WS 1531 harpagoside (50 or 100 mg/day) produced significantly more pain-free days without rescue tramadol than placebo (p = 0.027), with no serious adverse events.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 5 days
- Dose
- 50–100 mg
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 183
RCTEffectiveness of Harpagophytum procumbens in treatment of acute low back pain1996n=118
In 118 patients with acute back pain over 4 weeks, devil's claw extract (50 mg harpagoside/day) yielded 9 pain-free patients versus 1 on placebo, with greater improvement on a modified Arhus pain index (94% confidence).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Dose
- 6000 mg/day
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 118
AshwagandhaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It’s uncertain if ashwagandha alone helps back pain.
- One small study found that a supplement containing mostly ashwagandha along with rosemary and sesame seed, taken daily for 12 weeks, reduced pain and the need for other pain medicines better than placebo.
- It’s unclear which ingredient caused these benefits.
Browse 1 study
RCTDietary supplementation with plant extracts for amelioration of persistent myofascial discomfort in the cervical and back regions: a randomized double-blind controlled study2024n=42
In adults with persistent back pain over 12 weeks, a blend of rosemary, ashwagandha, and sesame extracts reduced pain intensity and improved mood, sleep, and quality of life versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Dose
- 400 mg
- Population
- RA patients
- Participants
- 42
- Ages
- 20–65
Vitex agnus-castusView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Evidence is insufficient for this condition.
Browse 1 study
RCTA Randomized Placebo-Controlled Dose-Response Trial of Muvz™ for Knee and Low-Back Support in Physically Active Adults2025n=157
In 157 physically active adults aged 40–60, Muvz (containing Z. officinale) 200–400 mg/day for 90 days reduced joint discomfort and improved range of motion versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 90 days
- Dose
- 200–400 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 157
- Ages
- 40–60
Alpha-Lipoic AcidView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In people with chronic back pain and sciatica, a supplement containing alpha-lipoic acid combined with other natural ingredients helped reduce pain more than steroid injections in one study.
- But it’s unclear if the alpha-lipoic acid alone caused this benefit or if it was due to the combination of ingredients.
- More research is needed.
Browse 1 study
ObservationalNew Approach to Chronic Back Pain Treatment: A Case Control Study2022n=246
A low-quality study including adults with chronic lower back pain found that ALA (800 mg/day) in combination with palmitoylethanolamide, myrrh and periradicular infiltrations of oxygen-ozone under CT guide may lead to a greater frequency of pain resolution compared with periradicular steroidal infiltrations.
- Duration
- 30 days
- Dose
- 800 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 246
Gamma-Linolenic AcidView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Oral gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has not been studied on its own for back pain.
- In one study, people with nerve-related back pain took a combination of GLA and alpha-lipoic acid along with rehabilitation therapy for 6 weeks.
- They reported less pain and better function compared with doing therapy alone.
- Because both ingredients were taken together, it is not known whether the benefits came from GLA, alpha-lipoic acid, or the combination.
Browse 1 study
Clinical trialThe use of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and rehabilitation in the treatment of back pain: effect on health-related quality of life2009n=102
In a cohort of 203 back-pain patients, alpha-lipoic acid plus 600 mg/day GLA with rehabilitation reduced neuropathic pain and improved quality of life versus rehabilitation alone.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 600 mg/day
- Population
- Back pain patients
- Participants
- 102
Vitamin DView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if taking vitamin D helps reduce chronic low back pain.
- Studies that gave adults vitamin D in different amounts—from 400 to 4000 IU daily, weekly high doses, or even single large doses—found no clear decrease in pain compared with placebo.
- Some people with low vitamin D levels might feel better, but overall, vitamin D alone is not proven to reduce chronic back pain.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
MetaUpdated Meta-analysis Reveals Limited Efficacy of Vitamin D Supplementation in Chronic Low Back Pain2024
An updated meta-analysis of 10 RCTs found vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce chronic low back pain scores versus control (SMD −0.13).
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Adults
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devil's Claw | ★★★★★72% | 7 | 0 | 58% |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 8% |
| Ashwagandha | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 8% |
| Gamma-Linolenic Acid | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 8% |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★36% | 1 | 1 | 8% |
| Vitex agnus-castus | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 8% |