New Study Reveals Best Medications for Lower Back Pain: Advil, Muscle Relaxers, and Hypnosis Top the List

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Lower back pain is a common ailment experienced by most individuals at some point in their lives, whether it’s due to a slip or fall, lifting heavy objects, or a lack of exercise. A new study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research has identified the most effective medications for reducing lower back pain and disability. Lower back pain has been the primary cause of disability since 1990 and is caused by strain or sprain to a muscle or ligament. While physical therapy and pain relievers can alleviate pain, serious cases may require surgery.

The study focused on 18 randomized clinical trials that investigated lower back pain lasting no more than 12 weeks. The study analyzed various types of analgesics, including aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol, and Panadol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naxen, Naprosyn, Stirlescent), and celecoxib (Celebrex, Elyxyb), and muscle relaxers.

The study found that a combination of NSAIDs and prescription muscle relaxers was the most effective medication for acute lower back pain, reducing pain and disability within one week. The study also found that combining an NSAID with acetaminophen was more effective than taking an NSAID alone, while acetaminophen alone did not significantly reduce pain.

However, the study’s results only apply to lower back pain that is not chronic. Chronic pain lasts for several months or longer and affects at least 1 in 5 people, with nearly 1 in 10 disabled by it. While acupuncture, hypnosis, massage, meditation, music-based interventions, tai chi, qigong, and yoga have shown promise in managing chronic pain, it is important to note that they may not be risk-free for everyone.

The National Institute of Health advises that individual health and circumstances, such as pregnancy, may affect the safety of these complementary approaches. When considering nutritional approaches, it is essential to remember that natural does not always mean safe, and some dietary supplements may interact with medications or have side effects.