Where you go for information on back pain affects the quality of the information you find. Many sites have a specific agenda to sell a particular drug or treatment. This will bias the information. In that sense, this site is no exception. These articles are in support of a particular drug, but we prefer to put that drug into context and give you as rounded a picture as possible. Although we cannot claim to be independent and therefore offer completely unbiased advice, we hope you will find balance here and a freedom to make up your own minds.
Medical research indicates that up to 80% of adult Americans will experience back pain at some point during their lives. In surveys, the respondents consistently report that pain in the lower back is the most disruptive, not only interfering directly with the ability to work and so earn a living, but also affecting the quality of life by:
- disturbing sleep;
- encouraging inactivity and weight gain; and
- even preventing the enjoyment of sex.
When serious pain strikes, the first reaction is usually a consultation with the primary care doctor. At this point, the bad news is received. Although it is always useful to have the possibility of serious underlying diseases and disorders ruled out, even dedicated specialists using the latest in technology, find it difficult to diagnose a specific cause for every case. This is dissatisfying. But doctors are nevertheless able to offer some help in listing treatment options. If a specific cause for the pain has been identified, the treatment can target that cause and, within the limits of technology and surgical skill, produce an improvement if not a cure. Where the cause is not certain, the choices come down to:
- medication – there are a wide range of drugs available both on prescription and over-the-counter to control the pain and relieve tense muscles;
- physical therapy to analyze movement problems and encourage greater mobility through the manipulation of the spine and joints, and the training of muscles;
- cognitive behavioral therapy to teach coping strategies to improve the quality of life, i.e. to help people achieve the maximum within their physical limitations;
- complementary and alternative therapies such as chiropractic and acupuncture – more controversial but nevertheless found effective by many people; and
- specialist medical care for better diagnosis and possible treatment.
The main research conclusions are that practical and hands-on treatment give the best results. This includes both physical and cognitive behavioral therapies. The reason for this preference is the social bond between patient and therapist which improves the mood and encourages a more positive outlook on life. The difficulty, of course, is financial. Many health plans do not include either the professionalized or the alternative therapies. If these cannot be funded out of savings, this forces people into more medical tests and surgical interventions, or restricts them to medications. In this context, flexeril can have an important role. As a drug targeting musculoskeletal disorders, it can relax muscles within the spinal structure and increase mobility. In combination with painkillers and a mixture of rest and exercise, flexeril can often help people recover their quality of life. But if you go down this road, you must commit yourself to exercising. You must maintain muscle tone and build strength. Failing to push yourself into a full range of movement is condemning yourself to stiffen and lose mobility.