When taken properly, mild pain medications may help reduce inflammation and pain. At The Spine Care Center in Manassas, we work toward treating the source of your pain with conservative surgical and non-surgical approaches so that you do not need to rely on medication to function in your day-to-day life. We occasionally prescribe medication to help our patients control symptoms, but it’s important to note that the medications themselves do not cure symptoms.
Aspirin can provide minor relief for your back pain, and is available without a prescription. There are side effects (such as stomach problems) that you should be aware of before you begin taking aspirin.
You may have heard of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen before. Some are available without a prescription, and can be effective for relieving pain caused by inflammation or strained muscles. NSAIDs work by blocking the inflammatory signals in your joints.
Analgesics are used to relieve your pain at the point of injury. These medications can be helpful for reducing mild to moderate chronic back pain.
For severe pain, over-the-counter medications may not provide you with the relief you need. In these cases, your provider may prescribe you with pain medications such as codeine or morphine. These pain relievers work by temporarily numbing your central nervous system. At The Spine Care Center, we are extremely careful when prescribing these medications due to the potential side effects.
Muscle relaxers are used to reduce the pain caused by muscle spasms. They are meant to be used for a short period of time (typically a few days), and may cause drowsiness and depression.
We use nerve block injections to reduce pain caused by irritated nerves and inflammation. If we diagnose you with a bulging or herniated disc, injections may help to reduce swelling in the area. ESIs are a combination of cortisone and a local anesthetic. Your spine care provider will perform the injection into the space between the facet joint. At The Spine Care Center, we will try conservative treatments before turning to ESIs.
When we suggest or prescribe any medication, we will explain the potential side effects and give you instructions for proper use. Medication should not be seen as a long-term solution to your pain. We include pain medication as a part of your overall treatment plan, alongside conservative non-surgical procedures. Our spine specialists are committed to providing long-term treatments to your pain.
The staff at The Spine Care Center in Manassas can go over any questions or concerns you may have about pain medication for your spine injury during your appointment. If you would like to learn more, then please get in touch with our spine doctors using the form below.