There’s some good news and bad news about treating back pain. The good news is research has identified what actually works. The bad news is, it’s not very much.
Only about 10 percent of common, nonsurgical treatments for lower back pain appear effective, with many therapies working only slightly better than a placebo, according to research in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine.
For acute or temporary lower back pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib provide some relief. For chronic, longer-term issues, people turn to exercise, spinal manipulation, taping, antidepressants, and drugs that turn on the TRPV receptor — a cell “keyhole” that, when activated, has shown efficacy in fighting both pain and inflammation.
