Getting Back at Back Pain
[Continued from page 6]
Posted 5/8/07
Medications for back pain include the following:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Examples: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- Analgesic (pain-relieving) drugs. Examples: over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol), narcotic drugs such as acetaminophen with codeine (Fioricet), hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Lortab, Vicodin)
- Antidepressants. Examples: amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- Muscle relaxants. Examples: cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma)
- Topicals. Examples: capsaicin (Zostrix, Zostrix HP), salicylates (Aspercreme, BenGay, Flexall)
Too often people take medications as their only line of defense against pain, says Dr. Borenstein. "What medications are supposed to do is make your back less painful so you can do the things you need to get better."
Most people who take medications for back pain don't need them long term; however, if you take NSAIDs for arthritis, a disease-modifying drug for ankylosing spondylitis or an antidepressant for fibromyalgia, you may need to continue taking it for other aspects of your condition even when back pain is better.
14. Start off on the right foot
Do you have back pain after standing or walking? Take a look at your shoes. Wearing shoes with high heels or heels with uneven wear can throw off your posture and put unnecessary stress on your back - and your knee joints as well.
If you spend a lot of time on your feet, picking a comfortable shoe may not be enough; you may benefit from placing an orthotic device into your shoe. In a study of postal workers who had trouble with foot, leg and/or back pain after long hours on their feet, using a three-quarter-length insert of polyurethane led to a 67 percent decrease in back pain. Shoe inserts, such as Dr. Scholl's Stepwell Insoles, come ready made or you can have one designed by a physical therapist especially for your needs.
15. Allow yourself to be manipulated
Both chiropractors and osteopathic physicians use manipulation to ease back pain, although the way they do it varies. Osteopathic manipulation often involves massaging the soft tissues (such as muscles) about the spine, whereas chiropractic involves manipulating the ligaments and vertebrae of the spine.
Either type of manipulation can be effective for back pain, particularly if pain is caused by problems such as sprains (damage to the ligaments) or strains (damage to the muscles).
If osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis weakens your spine, however, your doctor may advise you to stick to osteopathic manipulation, which is generally gentler than chiropractic manipulation.
An added benefit of osteopathic medicine: osteopathic physicians are licensed doctors, just as MDs are. Many specialize in rheumatology and can also prescribe medications and other treatment for underlying cause of your pain.
