Willow bark also has the ability to treat inflammation, swelling and musculoskeletal conditions. Research has been conducted linking willow bark to an effective treatment option for those who experience lower back pain. A 2001 study, which was published in the journal Rheumatology, with a group of nearly 200 people with low back pain discovered that those who received willow bark “showed a significant improvement in pain compared to those who received a placebo.” Those who received higher doses of the herb, specifically 240 mg salicin, “experienced more significant pain relief than those who received a low dose of 120 mg salicin.”