What are the Best Medications for Back Pain?

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The pain associated with back pain can be debilitating. The pain may range from a dull ache to a sharp, shooting pain, and it may feel like it’s coming from just about anywhere on your body. Sometimes the pain is so intense that it hurts to move, and the pain may interfere with sleep. Fortunately, there are medications that can help manage the pain associated with back pain. Your doctor can help you determine which medication will work best based on a number of factors, including your pain level, your medical history, and any side effects you may have from other medications or health conditions.

Types of medications for back pain

Back pain is one of the most common conditions that affect Americans. There are many types of medications for back pain. Some medications are aimed at reducing pain, while others aim to treat the underlying cause of back pain. Your doctor can determine which types of medications are right for you. Common medications used to treat back pain include over-the-counter pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. People with back pain may lead a sedentary lifestyle, which causes muscles to become weak. If you have back pain, your doctor may recommend physical therapy.

NSAIDs for back pain

NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a common pain reliever used to treat a wide range of conditions, including back pain. The medications are generally less potent than opioids, such as fentanyl, Percocet, and Vicodin, but can still cause serious side effects, including ulcers, kidney failure, and liver failure. They’re also not recommended for people who have liver disease, stomach ulcers, stomach or intestinal bleeding, or heart problems.

Acetaminophen for back pain

Lower back pain can be incredibly debilitating; it can cause significant pain, limit your mobility, and even keep you from sleeping. But according to the American Chiropractic Association, about 80 percent of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Instead of sitting back and suffering, take matters into your own hands. You can take a number of steps to reduce the pain. But before you start popping pills or relying on pain relievers, consider a natural solution: acetaminophen.

Opioids for chronic back pain

Chronic back pain is a huge problem in the United States. People who suffer from back pain are universally frustrated. They feel pain, discomfort, and malaise. They lose sleep, miss work, and struggle with their quality of life. There is help. While all treatments should be discussed with your doctor, you may want to consider treatment for chronic back pain with opioids.

Opioids have long been used to treat chronic back pain, but new research from the National Institutes of Health indicates that isn’t a good idea. The study, which was published in the medical journal JAMA, found that opioid use didn’t reduce the pain it caused or improve quality of life. But researchers also found that long-term opioid use led to more side effects, including opioid abuse and addiction.

Muscle relaxants for back pain

Most of us have suffered from back pain at some point, and one way we’ve attempted to soothe the pain is with muscle relaxants. However, while muscle relaxants may ease back pain, they may also cause side effects that interfere with your everyday life. To help avoid muscle relaxant side effects, consult your doctor before using muscle relaxants for back pain, especially if you have a history of drug abuse or addiction.

Antidepressants for back pain

Doctors are starting to discover the benefits of antidepressants for back pain. Recent studies have found that mild depression and chronic pain can co-exist in the same person and that depression may be a contributing factor to chronic pain. Therefore, doctors have sometimes prescribed antidepressants for anxiety and depression in addition to pain management.

Alternative therapies for back pain

Back pain is, unfortunately, a common ailment. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports that back problems are the number one reason people miss work. Back pain can range from mild to severe, but no matter what its severity, most back pain sufferers can find relief, or at least a more manageable condition, by utilizing alternative therapies. If you’re looking for additional treatment options for {condition}, you can check out back pain clinical trials at Power,

When to see a doctor for back pain

Back pain can be a real pain, and it can seriously affect your day-to-day life. Whether the pain is sharp and stabbing or aching and dull, it can make it impossible to get out of bed in the morning. It can also keep you from doing the normal daily activities that you take for granted. Luckily, back pain is also something that most healthcare professionals are quick to diagnose and treat. So if you find yourself with back pain that lasts more than a few days or that interferes with your daily activities in any way, make an appointment to see your doctor.