Treatment Back Pain
This section is about what over the counter treatments are available (not all treatments may be available in that country) and how they help.
- Please check all ingredients and check one is not allergic or sensitive to them
Aim:
- Provide pain relief and continue your daily routine.
There are a wide range of painkillers and anti-inflammatory painkillers available and are available in a variety of forms from sachets, liquids, tablets and soluble tablets and patches.
Paracetamol
- Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory action.
- It does help to reduce temperature and pain by blocking signals to the brain and is gentle on the stomach.
- Paracetamol must be taken to the manufacturers direction.
- Do not exceed dose as it can be dangerous.
- Please be aware Paracetamol can be found in many cold and flu products so dont take them together or talk to your pharmacist if one is not sure.
- Do not store in the fridge.
Aspirin, Ibuprofen
- These are known as NSAID Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.
- They have painkilling, anti-inflammatory and lowering fever properties by helping to blocking prostaglandins.
- They can cause stomach upset (extra caution must be taken with those who have a stomach ulcer) so it is important to have it with or after food.
- It can also raise one’s blood pressure (extra caution on those with heart problems).
- They must be taken according to manufacturer’s directions as exceeding the does can be dangerous.
- Please be aware that cold and flu products have NSAIDS, do not take at same time or talk to your pharmacist if one is not sure.
Codeine/Dihydrocodeine
- These medications have only a painkilling property and are used in combination with other painkillers.
- They can cause drowsiness and constipation and if taken long term they can be addictive, hence one should not take it longer than three days without your medical doctor’s advice.
- They are normally used if one needs a strong painkilling response.
- This medication can affects ones breathing especially after surgery of the removal of tonsils in children and caution in adults.
- It should only be given to adults if suitable.
- Please be aware cough mixtures, including dextromethorphan have similar ingredients. Do not take at same time or talk to your pharmacist if one is not sure.
Pain Killing Gels
- They have non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in these formulations.
- They are ideal for local pain and inflammation but one must be aware of side effects as with NSAID tablets, even though they are less likely to occur.
- NSAID tablets and NSAID gels should not be used together as side effects are more likely to occur unless your medical doctor or your pharmacist says otherwise.
Cold Products
- If one has a short term sprain/strain it is ideal to use the cold products initially.
- Products should not be used longer than seven days.
Heat patches
- Heat products are more ideal if one has a longer term muscular stiffness/pain.
They open up local blood vessels.
- One can apply heat gels/packs/sprays if suitable. Person who have sensitivity to temperature (i.e increase risk of burns) should use in caution examples include:
Caffeine
- Caffeine acts as a mild stimulant and is found in combination with other painkillers for moderate pain.
- It should only be used for a short period. It has no fever or anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamins
Multivitamins are not intended to prevent long term conditions, reduce infection and is not proven (or data is weak) to help with cancer.
These are essential nutrients that the body requires in small amounts to function properly.
Herbal
