Back pain is one of the most common conditions affecting 80% of the population. It is second only to headaches as the most frequently occurring painful conditions that affect a person 30 years old and above.
The condition is so common, in fact, that four out of five people may or are already experiencing back pain.
But the good news is that there are several treatment options available for those suffering the rigors of back pain, including physical therapy, exercise, and of course, back pain medication.
Many back pain medications can be bought over the counter without need of prescription. These drugs are helpful in relieving pain and addressing several of the symptoms related to an episode of back pain. In addition to nonprescription drugs, back pain medications may also be procured through a doctor’s prescription.
Acetaminophen
One of the two types of over the counter back pain medication, acetaminophen is a pain reliever drug that acts by switching off the brain’s pain perception. In this regard, it is unlike any other back pain medications, which are mostly anti-inflammatory in addition to being pain killers.
The common dosage of this back pain medication may be up to 1000 mg taken every four hours, provided that no more than 4000 mg is taken within 24 hours. The fast acting pain relieving effect of this back pain medication makes this drug perhaps the single most effective drug to treat the condition and associated pain.
Additionally, this back pain medication is recommended mainly because:
* It has few side effects.
* There is no chance of addiction.
* Tolerance level of patients (when the drug loses its pain relieving effect) is slow to develop, even with extended use.
* Very few patients are allergic to it.
NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs)
Another commonly used back pain medication that is available over the counter is NSAIDs. Since inflammation is a contributing factor in many painful episodes that back pain patients encounter, back pain medication such as NSAIDs with anti inflammatory effect are especially helpful.
Working like aspirin, NSAIDs relieve pain by limiting the formation of inflammation. But what makes this back pain medication better than aspirin is that it has fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and COX-2 Inhibitors are only among the few NSAID drugs used as back pain medication.
Narcotic Pain Medications
These types of back pain medications are for severe back pain, particularly those affecting the lower back. Narcotics are only available with a doctor’s prescription, for obvious reasons – they are strong and potentially addictive forms of medication.
The effect of these back pain medications is dissociative in nature, which means that they do not actually deaden the pain, but works to dissociate the patient from the painful feeling. Back pain medications under this category include codeine, propoxyphene, hydrocodone, and oxycodone.
Back Pain Medication
From an annoying ache to an agony so tremendous to the point that changing positions while sleeping is such a big deal, it only goes to show that you need an immediate back pain medication.
There are many possibilities that go hand in hand with it like injuries to the muscles, ligaments or disks that have occurred during an activity such as having to lift heavy mass of objects.
It can even be brought about by a pinched nerve, swelling infection, spinal arthritis, rare tumors, thinning osteoporosis and bone scoliosis. However, there are some that their level of vulnerability is factored genetically making it more prone to stress.
Back pain medication can actually range from utilizing analgesics that reduces inflammation, restores proper function and prevents injury recurrence. Most patients recuperate even in the absence of residual function loss. However, if there is no noticeable reduction in the twinge after 72 hours of self- care, it is already a must to contact a doctor.
Here is a list of simple back pain medication that you can perform at the comforts of your own home:
* Varying temperatures
Utilizing hot and cold compresses have never been scientifically proven for back pain medication but it has been tested to allow greater mobility for some individuals. Following a trauma, patients should apply a bag of ice wrapped in towel to the fragile sport for up to 20 minutes each day. After two to three days, a heat pad is then applied for brief periods to relax muscles and escalate blood flow.
* Retire comfortably
In 1996, a Finnish study revealed that persons who continue with their respective works without being able to have bed rest prior to the onset of injury have better muscle flexibility than those who did for one week. Others also suggest that such back pain medication results to secondary complications like psychological depression, decreased muscle tone and blood clots in the legs. In the evenings, patients should lie on a single side with a pillow placed between the knees.
* Sweaty calisthenics
Performing an exercise is the most effective manner if you desire speed in your back pain medication. It is important especially for people who have skeletal irregularities to maintain and build strength muscles. If you do not know of any, you can always ask your doctor for reference. For sure the list that they will give includes swimming and walking to say the least. There are also movement therapies to develop proper posture.
* Therapeutic pins
Acapuncture is a kind of back pain medication that involves the insertion of needles. It is the size of human hair strand along the precise points throughout the body. Experts of this believe that it triggers the release of naturally transpiring painkilling elements called peptides. It also keeps the body’s flow of energy back to normal.
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