Medication for Back Pain
Back pain and stiffness can make daily activities challenging. Often a self-care approach with limited rest and appropriate gentle exercise is enough to manage your pain. But sometimes the best pain relief for back pain involves medication. Summit Orthopedics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area specializes in providing a personalized approach to medication for back pain, with a focus on non-narcotic pain medications. Whether you’re dealing with acute or chronic back pain, trust us to help find the right options to improve your symptoms and quality of life.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
The most common medications used for back pain relief are anti-inflammatory medications. These pills, injections or topical treatments can lessen pain and decrease inflammation and swelling.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These types of medications, including ibuprofen and naproxen, can be purchased over the counter and are often the best pain reliever for back strain and similar concerns. Stronger prescription NSAIDs may help if you have severe pain. NSAIDs are generally safe for most people, but they can damage the stomach lining with long-term use. There are also OTC and prescription topical NSAIDs, including diclofenac sodium gel. These ointments can provide targeted pain relief for arthritis pain without the stomach upset.
- Steroids: Cortisone injections, topical cortisone gels and oral corticosteroids can all be useful back pain treatments for certain conditions if NSAIDs are not effective. A steroid injection often can relieve pain for weeks or even months.
Medications for Spasms and Nerve Pain
Often back pain is related to pressure on nerves around your spinal cord. This pressure can cause spasms in your back or symptoms such as numbness and tingling in your neck, back arms and legs. Two types of medications may help with these symptoms:
- Anticonvulsants: Anti-seizure medications affect your central nervous system and can also alleviate nerve pain, even if you have never had a seizure or muscle spasm. These medications include carbamazepine, gabapentin, lamotrigine and pregabalin. Side effects vary depending on the medication, but drowsiness is common.
- Muscle relaxants: If muscle spasms are interfering with your daily activities, a muscle relaxant may help limit symptoms. These medications include carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol. These medications can be habit-forming, so they are not recommended for long-term use.
Other Types of Medications for Back Pain
Several other types of medications may be appropriate to relieve muscle and back pain. Two common options include:
- Analgesics: Analgesic medications such as acetaminophen and topical salves can also reduce pain. Unlike NSAIDs, they do not cause stomach issues, making them a safer option for some patients. However, acetaminophen is not an anti-inflammatory and will not reduce pain caused by inflammation. Acetaminophen is commonly combined with narcotic medications for pain relief, but on its own it is not addictive. Some patients may alternate analgesics and NSAIDs to limit potential stomach problems.
- Antidepressants: Some people may be prescribed certain types of antidepressants, including amitriptyline, imipramine and nortriptyline, as a lower back pain medication. These medications help change the way your brain responds to pain, whether or not you have symptoms of depression. These are often tried after a first-line medication has not provided relief.
Other types of medications may be prescribed for specific health conditions that cause back pain. No one medication will work for everyone.
Our Approach to Narcotics
Narcotic pain relievers, or opioids, are powerful medications that can help severe, intense pain. These medications can be useful to help manage pain after an acute injury or surgery. Common types of narcotics used to treat spine pain include:
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
Opioids are also highly addictive. Summit Orthopedics strives to minimize opioid prescriptions, saving them as a last resort for pain that has not responded to other medications. Any narcotic we prescribe will be for short-term use. If you want to avoid taking opioids for any reason, please let your care team know.
We understand that some people with chronic pain may have legitimate reasons for needing long-term use of opioids. Chronic pain patients require specialized behavioral expertise to manage the brain changes that develop with unresolved, daily pain. If your pain is chronic, we will be happy to refer you to a medical clinic that specializes in narcotics management.
Back Pain Care Beyond Medication
At Summit Orthopedics, our goal is to assist you with pain control and improved function at the lowest effective dose of pain medication. We believe medication is only one part of a successful treatment plan that may also include:
Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol, may also improve symptoms or improve medications’ effectiveness. We will teach you methods to help ensure maximum relief for back pain.
Remember, medications and supplements you take for other health conditions may cause a harmful reaction with back pain medicines. Always keep your providers up to date with all over-the-counter medications, prescription medication, supplements and vitamins you take before starting a new medication for back pain.
Discover more about how Summit Orthopedics uses medication to treat back pain by making an appointment today.
