This blog is excerpted from a Best Life article, written by Laura Gray on April 11, 2021.
If you suffer from lower back pain, you’re probably all too familiar with the challenges of treating it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), you’re not alone — between 60 and 70% of adults will experience lower back pain in their lifetime.
Pain control is essential, but not all pain management tools are created equal. Studies suggest that there’s one popular pain pill that you should avoid when it comes to back pain for the simple reason that it’s ineffective at treating it.
Don’t take acetaminophen for back pain
According to a study published in The Medical Journal of Australia earlier this month, there’s one pain reliever you should avoid when treating back pain: acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol.
The study, which looked at the efficacy of acetaminophen in treating various aches and pains concluded, “There is high quality evidence that paracetamol is not effective for relieving acute low back pain.”
Reach for an anti-inflammatory option (in moderation) instead
Instead of taking Tylenol or other acetaminophen-based medications, experts say you should instead reach for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to treat both back pain and inflammation.
Like acetaminophen, which is classified as an analgesic, NSAIDs are available in both over-the-counter and prescription strength. “Inflammation is a contributing factor in most back and neck pain conditions, so reducing inflammation often helps alleviate the pain,” says Kathee de Falla, PharmD. “They can be used to address short-term back, neck, and muscle pain,” she adds. NSAIDs can be effective in treating chronic back pain, but you may want to reserve them for more serious flare-ups. Long-term use may lead to side effects over time, including an increased risk of peptic ulcer disease, acute renal failure, and stroke/myocardial infarction. “Moreover, chronic NSAID use can exacerbate a number of chronic diseases including heart failure and hypertension, and can interact with a number of drugs (eg, warfarin, corticosteroids),” according to a 2010 study published in the medical journal Annals of Long-Term Care. Researchers have also found evidence to suggest that NSAIDs may become less effective over time for patients who take them every day for several weeks or months.
Still Looking for Pain Relief?
If you find you back pain lingering for longer periods of time, or if the anti-inflammatory NSAIDs are not eliminating your pain, it might be time for a treatment more permanent. At the Bonati Spine Institute, our patented spine procedures have been developed to treat these issues. If you’d like for us to take a look at your case and verify how our patented Bonati Spine Procedures can help you, please call us at 855-267-0482 or complete our contact form here and we will have a patient advocate reach out to discuss with you further.
Read the full Best Life article here: https://bestlifeonline.com/news-back-pain/