Medications

Medications can be very helpful in the initial treatment of back and neck pain. These types of medications are often utilized in treating both acute and chronic pain. They can be used in combination or by themselves.

Anti-inflammatory Medications: These help to decrease the swelling and inflammation in the spine. They also promote healing.

Muscle Relaxants: These help the muscles to relax and also decrease muscle tension and spasm.

Analgesic Medications: These are used primarily for acute pain.

Other types of medications can be used including topical medications. These include creams, patches, and Biofreeze.

The treatment of chronic back pain also utilizes some of the above classifications of medications, as well as longer acting analgesics. Often, antidepressant medications are used in small doses to increase the pain threshold, and restore sleep disturbances that are a result of severe pain.

To research the effects and get additional information on medications, go to www.webmd.com