Back and neck pain are some of the most common complaints seen in patients presenting for healthcare, while back pain alone is the most common cause of disability according to the National Institute of Health. Many people suffering from back pain take over the counter (OTC) drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin to help manage their pain. These OTC medications are all different forms of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and are very commonly used, sometimes daily, by people in pain. These drugs are also commonly prescribed to patients in more concentrated doses by medical providers to manage neck and back pain. However, when it comes to neck and back pain, it may be best to leave those bottles unopened, as new research questions their effectiveness in reducing spinal pain.

In a landmark meta-analysis of clinical trials published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, researchers looked at 35 randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of NSAIDS to placebo in the management of spine generated back and neck pain. The review found that NSAID therapy had no significant effect on back or neck pain compared to placebo. They also found that patients taking NSAID medications had a 250% increase in gastrointestinal pain, discomfort, and other adverse reactions while no significant adverse effects were found in patients taking placebo (Machado et al., 2017).

The meta-analysis is considered the pinnacle of evidence in medical literature as it combines the findings of multiple clinical trials and pools patients and outcomes to make findings more powerful and more generalizable to the population as a whole. The findings of this review are very important as NSAIDS are currently one of the frontline treatments for patients suffering from spinal pain. If NSAIDS are not clinically effective in managing spine pain as this meta-analysis suggests, and they have significant side effects, which is also suggested by this review, then patients should avoid taking them for pain associated with their neck and back complaints.

In the face of this new information, chiropractic care for the management of spinal conditions is more important than ever. If you are experiencing back pain, neck pain, or other musculoskeletal complaints, don't continue to suffer unnecessarily. Make an appointment with Dr. Ross at Excellence in Health Chiropractic today for a thorough exam and treatment consultation. We'll set you up with a personalized treatment plan to assist you with getting out of pain, and to help you once again participate in the activities you love. Take charge of your health and get back to living the life you deserve; and as always, we wish you excellence in health.

References:

• Machado, GC. Maher, CG. Ferreira, PH. Day, RO. Pinheiro, MB. Ferreira, ML. (2017). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for spinal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, pii: annrheumdis-2016-210597.

Link to Abstract:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Machado%2C+GC.+Maher%2C+CG.+Ferreira%2C+PH.+Day%2C+RO.+Pinheiro%2C+MB.+Ferreira%2C+ML.+(2017).+Non-steroidal+anti-++inflammatory+drugs+for+spinal+pain%3A+a+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis.+Annals+of+the+Rheumatic++Diseases%2C+pii%3A+annrheumdis-2016-+210597.