Chronic back pain affects a surprisingly large number of adults. In fact, recent physicians' surveys indicate that back pain is the second most common symptom U.S. patients report to their doctors every year. While many of those docs turn to prescription opioids to relieve their patients' suffering, a new study questions the drugs' effectiveness over non-opioid medications.

Yale University researchers reviewed data from 38 drug trials, finding that patients who were given opioids experienced no more significant pain relief than those who were assigned either non-opioid drugs or placebos. In addition, between 5-24% of opioid patients in each study were found to face a heightened risk of medication over-use.

What This Means for You...
Less invasive but still highly effective therapies for chronic back pain include physical therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Health NewsByte, Monday, February 5, 2007
http://www.lifescript.com/channels/healthy_living/News_Bites/opioid_pills_no_help_for_chronic_back_pain.asp

"Narcotic Meds for Back Pain Questioned"
by: Psych Central News Editor on Wednesday, Jan, 17, 2007
http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/01/17/narcotic-meds-for-back-pain-questioned/

Pain alternative: http://www.illinoisnorml.org/content/category/4/19/27/