Effective OTC Pain Relief for Back Pain: Causes & Treatments

Back problems are one of the most common physical complaints in the U.S. today. They can be caused by injury as well as psychological problems. Over-the-counter, or OTC, drugs can help, as can exercise and other therapies.

Causes

• According to Dr. Larry Altshuler in his book "Balanced Healing," back pain can be caused by injury, the lack of exercise, poor posture and the use of vibratory tools. Other causes can be psychological, such as mental stress and depression.

Over the Counter Medicine

• NSAID Ibuprofen

  To relieve pain and decrease inflammation, Dr. Altshuler recommends analgesics such as Tylenol (acetaminophen). He also recommends OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Aleve and Ibuprofen.

Prescribed Exercise

• For acute back pain, formal exercises are often prescribed and can help some sufferers. For chronic back pain, exercise is prescribed for both prevention and treatment; it stimulates the production of natural pain-killers from the brain.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

• According to the Mayo Clinic, most back pain will improve with a few weeks of home treatments. Other therapies that also may help include acupuncture, massage, hydrotherapy, hypnosis, guided imagery, music therapy and chiropractic manipulation.

Beyond Basic Home Care

• When OTC drugs and other therapies do not work, your doctor can explain other treatments. These include prescription medication, cortisone injections, electrical stimulation, drugs for depression and surgery.