Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for back pain and related conditions?
How often have Toronto low back pain patients asked this?! They’re
both over-the-counter analgesic drugs. Everyone knows them. But some recent
studies Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre has read will surely interest our Toronto
low back pain patients the next time their back hurts and they reach for one of
these.
To start, one set of researchers compared ibuprofen and
paracetamol (acetaminophen) for chronic pain conditions like back pain,
migraine, osteoarthritis, cancer pain, etc. In their review of several studies,
they found that ibuprofen usually better
met patients’ expectations of pain relief. Neither was effective for
everyone. So this study questions the use of acetaminophen as the first-line,
go-to drug for chronic pain. (1) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre admires these researchers’ curiosity
about ibuprofen versus acetaminophen for back pain. It surely set the stage for
more studies.
A more recent research report states outright that
paracetamol (acetaminophen) is ineffective for low back pain treatment. It goes
on to state that acetaminophen gives minimal short term relief to patients
suffering with osteoarthritis! (2) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre bets this report will get
some attention! Acetaminophen is so often recommended for relief of low back
pain and osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. These researchers question that
recommendation.
Astonishingly, another research paper comes right out and
states that “no high-quality evidence supports this recommendation” of
acetaminophen as the first-line painkiller for acute low-back pain. (3) That’s
ok though for Toronto back pain patients. Chiropractic care at
Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre is a great first-line care option for back pain relief!
Further, one more paper says that up to 4000mg of
paracetamol (acetaminophen) is ineffective for acute low back pain. (4)
Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre knows that this may make our chiropractic patients think twice
before taking acetaminophen next time...and call Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre instead!
So contact Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre for back pain relief next time
you find yourself reaching for a bottle of ibuprofen or acetaminophen for
relief. A non-drug treatment plan featuring the evidence-based Cox Technic
system of care for your Toronto back pain may well result in the
relief you are seeking!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."