Painkillers For Your Back

Painkillers are themselves not a great treatment for back pain, but, when used to supplement the treatments at our Edmonds chiropractic, they can be a valuable part of your recovery. What follows is a list of some of the more recommended forms of painkiller.

  • Tylenol and NSAID’s: Over-the-counter drugs like tylenol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin and ibuprofen) can work for many cases of back pain.  If the common varieties are not enough, you can generally get prescription strength doses fairly easily through your doctor.
  • Sedatives: Sometimes referred to as “muscle relaxants”, these are good for when you are experiencing muscle spasms and lower back pain.
  • Narcotic Pain Medicines: If you have particularly severe or chronic lower back pain, you might be a candidate for these very strong painkillers.  They can be taken without becoming addicted, but they are generally only used for one or two weeks at a time.
  • Antidepressants: A good antidepressant, like amitriptyline and duloxetine, is not only good for counteracting the mood-dampening effects of back pain but can also help with your chronic pain.