Medicines for Low back pain

What it is

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek help, and most of us will experience it at some point. In the great majority of cases it is "non-specific", meaning it is not due to any serious underlying disease but rather to the muscles, ligaments, joints and discs of the back being strained, irritated or simply stiff. It can come on suddenly, sometimes after lifting or an awkward movement, and although it can be intensely painful and worrying, it usually improves over days to a few weeks. Sometimes pain travels down a leg because a nerve root is irritated — often called sciatica — which has a different character and may be managed differently. A small number of cases are linked to more serious causes, which is why recognising warning signs matters. Importantly, the level of pain does not reflect the amount of damage, and most backs recover well with the right approach.

How it is treated

The most important principle is to keep moving and avoid prolonged bed rest, because staying active speeds recovery and resting too much tends to make stiffness and pain worse. Reassurance, gentle activity, and gradually returning to normal routines form the foundation of care, supported by physiotherapy, exercise and self-management approaches for ongoing or recurrent pain. When a medicine is used, an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) is the usual first drug option for short-term relief if it is suitable for the person; paracetamol on its own has only a limited role, and stronger painkillers such as weak opioids are used cautiously and only briefly when needed. Some medicines used for nerve pain are not recommended for ordinary, non-specific back pain but may have a place when the pain clearly involves an irritated nerve root. Throughout, the aim is to control symptoms enough to stay active while the back recovers, and to identify the few people who need further assessment.