Back Pain Medications

Back pain medications are one of the simplest forms of treatment for back pain. Medications are currently available for nearly all types of back pain, but in many cases they just reduce the pain instead of actually curing the cause of it.

There are both over-the-counter and prescription strength back pain medications. Some forms of back medication,such as spinal injections, can only be administered at hospitals or back pain treatment centers by medical professionals. Injection therapy for back pain is sometimes used as a last resort before back surgery, but may also be used following more complicated surgeries. You should always consult a doctor or physician before taking any back pain medications other than those available over-the-counter.

According to Stewart G. Eidelson M.D., founder of SpineUniverse.com, common types of back pain medications include:

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) — NSAIDs help reduce swelling and promote the healing process. Common NSAIDs include: aspirin, ibuprofen, Naproxen and Ketoprofen.

Acetaminophen — Acetaminophen medications are used as an alternative to NSAIDs in the treatment of acute and some chronic pain, but may result in liver or kidney damage after prolonged use. Common medications containing acetaminophen include: Tylenol, Anacin-3, Phenaphen and Valadol.

Opioids — Opioids are used exclusively for the treatment of severe back pain. Opioids are not available over-the-counter in the United States because they can cause addiction when used for extend periods of time. Common opioids include or contain: morphine, codeine, meperidine (Demerol), or oxycodone.

Muscle Relaxants — Muscle relaxants are used to help stop and prevent muscle spasms that can cause pain and damage to the back. Common muscle relaxants include or contain: cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), diazepam (Valium), carisoprodol (Soma), or methocarbamol (Robaxin).

Spinal Injections — There are many different kinds of spinal injections. Spinal injections are usually administered with Lidocaine or Xylocaine to numb the injection area. A corticosteroid or steroid may be injected as well to reduce inflammation. For much more information on spinal injections, see the following article from SpineUniversity.com.

If you would like to avoid taking medication to find relief for your back pain, there are many types of stretches and exercises that can help, as well as other kinds of natural back pain treatment.