Recent study finds using drugs for back pain provide little benefit
Using drugs for back pain, such as ibuprofen (Advil) are commonly used to cope with back pain, but research from The George Institute for Global Health found they offer little benefit but cause side effects. Researchers found that in 35 trials testing painkillers and back pain, only 1 in 6 reported significant benefit!
“Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is commonly managed by prescribing medicines such as anti-inflammatories,” said lead author Manuela Ferreira. “But our results show anti-inflammatory drugs actually only provide very limited short term pain relief. They do reduce the level of pain, but only very slightly, and arguably not of any clinical significance.”
Many people also can experience significant side effects such as liver damage and gastro-intestinal bleeding that can negate any of the potential benefits the medication might have.
Last year, a study conducted at the University of North Texas Health Science Center found manipulative therapies reduced pain and improved function in patients suffering from chronic low back pain.