New Study Finds These Are the Best Medicines for Acute Low Back Pain

Below backache is one of the most common conditions, with four out of five people experiencing it at some point in their lives, according to the website of the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are commonly used for immediate relief after a back injury.

However, due to the many different drugs on the shelves of pharmacies, people often fail to choose the right one.

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According to a recent study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Research, the top three treatment options for acute low back pain are NSAIDs, NSAIDs with paracetamol, and muscle relaxants.

Low back pain is one of the most common diseases that four out of five people have experienced at least once in their lives.

Low back pain is one of the most common diseases that four out of five people have experienced at least once in their lives. (iStock)

NSAIDs, including aspirin (Bayer), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve), are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and reduce fever.

NSAIDs are available without a prescription up to a certain concentration.

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“NSAIDs are the second most powerful anti-inflammatory drug we have, after steroids,” says Dr. Randa Jaafar, Pain Doctor in NYFox News Digital reported.

(She did not participate in the study.)

Tylenol is a popular over-the-counter acetaminophen drug that relieves pain and reduces fever.

Tylenol is a popular over-the-counter acetaminophen drug that relieves pain and reduces fever. (iStock)

Paracetamol is acetaminophen (Tylenol) that relieves pain and reduces fever.

Tylenol is available without a prescription at all costs. The study found that this over-the-counter medication by itself was not effective in relieving low back pain. It worked better when combined with NSAIDs.

“Many people think that motrin and Tylenol work the same way, but in fact they can be taken together,” says the doctor. Jafar said. (The wisest course of action is to first consult your doctor about the appropriate amount for your individual case.)

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The third type of medication named in the study, muscle relaxants, are muscle relaxants that require a doctor’s prescription.

Muscle relaxants act on the nervous system, reducing muscle spasms.

The study, titled Non-Opioid Pharmacological Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of Level I Evidence, analyzed the results of 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the efficacy of three types of drugs.

A recent study found that the top three treatment options for acute low back pain are NSAIDs, NSAIDs with paracetamol, and muscle relaxants.

A recent study found that the top three treatment options for acute low back pain are NSAIDs, NSAIDs with paracetamol, and muscle relaxants. (iStock)

The 18 trials included data from 3478 patients who experienced acute low back pain.

The study authors wrote that more research is needed to determine the effect of the three drugs on recurrence of low back pain.

Research involving opioid painkillers not included in the review.

The study was conducted by a team of orthopedic doctors, most of them from RWTH University Hospital. Aachen, Germany.

Importantly, the study only applied to acute back pain, not chronic back pain.

Alternatives to opioids

Jafar told Fox News Digital that there is increasing focus on non-opioid painkillers such as those included in this study.

“These three drugs attack pain from all sides,” she said. “They are definitely the best alternative to opioids.”

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Opioids, including oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and morphine, “travel through your bloodstream and attach to opioid receptors in your brain cells,” which then release signals that “mute your perception of pain and amplify your feelings.” pleasure,” the Mayo Clinic website says.

Low back pain is characterized as acute if symptoms persist for less than 12 weeks.

Jafar explained that in addition to being highly addictive in some patients, opioids also carry a small risk of opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH), where the drug creates greater sensitivity to pain over time.

In 2020, nearly 75% of all drug overdose deaths were opioid-related, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes on its website.

Acute and chronic low back pain

Low back pain is characterized as acute if symptoms persist for less than 12 weeks.

The new study was carried out by a team of orthopedic doctors, most of them from the RWTH University Hospital in Aachen, Germany.  In addition, the study only applied to acute back pain, not chronic back pain.

The new study was carried out by a team of orthopedic doctors, most of them from the RWTH University Hospital in Aachen, Germany. In addition, the study only applied to acute back pain, not chronic back pain. (iStock)

Pain is considered chronic if it lasts three months or more.

“Chronic back pain usually means there is scar tissue, so it’s usually less about inflammation and more about an inflammatory component,” the doctor says. Jafar said.

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In the treatment of any type of low back pain, Dr. Jafar usually starts with pain medication and physical therapy, and then progresses to an epidural if needed.

“If the pain is gone by this point, it can be classified as acute, but if it continues beyond this point, I can move on to more aggressive treatments like spinal cord stimulation,” she said.

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If a patient takes the drug combination for more than three months, he or she should see a doctor and explore a different course of action, Jafar said.