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Conclusion: Acute Low Back Pain and Medication

Gerard Malanga, MD
Director, Pain Management
Overlook Hospital
Summit, NJ
This article is part of a nine-article series on medications used to treat low back pain. You can jump around the series using the following links:
  1. Medications and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
  2. Acetaminophen in the Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
  3. Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) in the Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
  4. Muscle Relaxants in the Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
  5. Opioids in the Treatment of Low Back Pain
  6. Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Low Back Pain
  7. Colchichine in the Treatment of Low Back Pain
  8. Anti-depressant Medications Used to Treat Low Back Pain
  9. Conclusion: Acute Low Back Pain & Medication
Conclusion
There are various agents that can be helpful in addressing the painful phase of acute low back problems. The particular medication should be chosen after consideration of the following: (1) indications (2) contra-indications (3) goals of treatment, i.e. analgesia, reduction of inflammation, reduction of muscle spasm, etc., and (4) the scientific and clinical evidence of there effectiveness.

With the proper selection of pain medication and a positive response, the patient can then be progressed through more active rehabilitation and avoid the development of a more chronic condition.

Reference:
Malanga GA, et al. Pharmacologic Treatment of Low Back Pain. In Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation State of the Art Reviews, Philadelphia, Hanley and Belfus Vol.13, No.3, October, 1999

Last Updated: 10/09/2009
Continue Reading: Medication and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
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