I received two questions from viewers this AM regarding NSAID- or non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications (drugs in the same family as Motrin, Advil, etc…) treatment for back pain. Specifically, both of these viewers had seen the same post on another blog.
In this post, the blogger- NOT a therapist or physician- told his readers that NSAIDs did nothing to heal back pain, and should be avoided as they mask pain.
This is ridiculous. While NSAIDs are not appropriate for all types of injuries and all types of patients (particularly those with kidney disease, for eample) they are very useful for helping to heal acute injuries. WIth an acute injury, inflammation can occur, causing local swelling and inhibiting local blood flow, and limiting the delivery of oxygen and nutrition to the injured tissue. NSAIDs can be used to reduce the swelling due to inflammation and help with healing. They have the added benefit of being an analgesic, and reducing pain. That being said, they should not be used chronically, and if pain from the injury persists you should certainly be seen by a physician.
When I read posts like the one cited above, I get nervous because the advice from an untrained individual could undermine the work performed by a qualified physician or therapist, and delay recovery or worsen a patients condition.
Be well,
-Andy
Tags: Back Pain, back together, kirschner, NSAID, NSAIDS
Nice content indeed! i will visit as often as i can.
cheers