If you suffer from any form of back pain, your physician may want to discuss medication alongside other treatment options. There are many different forms of back pain medication, ranging from short to long-term choices.

The type of back pain medicine your physician prescribes will depend on your symptoms and medical history. If, for example, you suffer from painful inflammation, your physician may suggest trying an anti-inflammatory drug. If you are having muscle spasms, then a muscle relaxant may also be dispensed. If you’re suffering from a more general or severe type of pain, a broader or stronger back pain medication may be prescribed.

Some of the most common medicines for back pain are available over the counter and include aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. A doctor may prescribe a stronger medication for you when necessary which will have its mechanism to provide relief. Many of these medications have an inherent list of pros and cons, and not every medicine is right for every person.

It may take some time to discover what back pain medication best relieves your symptoms, and what dosage is most effective for you. While you try new back pain medications, you must remain in close contact with your physician to discover any side effects and monitor for any potential interaction with other medications you may be taking. Most medicines carry can cause some side effects, and people may experience them differently. In addition, the risk of drug tolerance and addiction is a factor you need to consider when contemplating medication use for back pain. Eventually, with enough investigation, chances are good that you’ll find a back pain medication that suits your needs if you and your doctor find that you need them.

You may also discover that your back pain medication is more effective when combined with other forms of therapy. Moderate exercise, stretching, yoga, spinal traction, physical therapy and more can all do their part in helping relieve your pain. Engaging in active therapy alongside taking back pain medication can help maximize the effectiveness of both.

If you have questions about back pain medications or are struggling with spinal pain, contact your physician to learn more. Even if the medicine you are interested in is available over the counter, it’s important that your physician approve anything you plan to begin taking regularly. In addition, if your back pain is severe enough that you’re considering self-medicating, chances are it’s time to have your problem diagnosed so that you can start looking for a long-term solution and hopefully discontinue the need for medications.