A large number of people are suffering from back pain all over the world. In the US more than 65 million people suffer every year from back pain. One of the most common reasons for people to seek medical advice is the back pain. The advancement in medical technology has today made available various options for treatment of back pain including back pain medicine. Broadly the medical treatments can be categorized under non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment.

Non-surgical or conservative treatment of back pain involves back pain medicine or drugs as recommended by the physician based on the patient’s medical condition, age etc. Today wide variety of medications is available to choose for treatment of back pain. Although many medicines are available without prescription, you must seek advice of a good doctor’s advice before taking any back pain medicine. These medicines not only give you relief from pain but also reduce inflammation and relax muscle tension. Back pain medicine includes Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, for example Acetaminophen, Opioids, and muscle relaxants.

Aspirin and ibuprofen are some of the anti inflammatory medications that reduces swelling and inflammation and promote healing. Tylenol®, Anacin-3®, Phenaphen®, Valadol® brands are some of the analgesics that are used to treat acute or some forms of chronic pain. Morphine, codeine, meperidine (Demerol®), or oxycodone-release (Oxycontin®) are Opioids of addictive nature and are rarely prescribed and used drugs and only if pain is severe. Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril®), diazepam (Valium®), carisoprodol (Soma®), or methocarbamol (Robaxin®) are muscle relaxants and are often prescribed for severe pain. It is, however, suggested that no back pain medicine should be taken without seeking advice from a doctor or other medical profressional.

The other treatment available for back pain is surgical operation in serious medical condition. Before determining which medical treatment should be given to a patient suffering from back pain it is of paramount importance to diagnose properly. It may require a thorough physical and neurologic assessment to reveal the actual cause of the pain. In case of suspicion of infection, malignancy, fracture or other risk factor, routine laboratory tests are conducted including complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation and urinalysis. If the fracture or disc disease is suspected, plain radiographs (x-ray), CT scan or/and MRI studies are performed.

It may be kept in mind that spine surgery is seldom required for treatment of back pain. The indications where surgery could be required include, but not limited to, bowel and/or bladder dysfunction, spinal cord dysfunction, excruciating pain unrelieved by non operative measures (quite often leg pain is more than back pain) and prolonged pain and/or weakness.