Treatment for Chronic Back Pain

Painkillers

Painkillers are usually the first method of treatment for suffers of chronic and acute back pain.  Paracetamol is likely to be recommended first, but if back pain is severe enough, codeine may be prescribed.

Amitriptyline

If severe back pain doesn’t improve with painkillers, your GP may recommend a trial of a medication called amitriptyline. Amitriptyline is more commonly used to treat depression however it has been found to be useful in treating nerve pain.

If you are prescribed amitriptyline, you may have some side effects including:

• drowsiness
• a dry mouth
• blurred vision
• constipation
• difficulty passing urine

Exercise

With both acute back pain and chronic back pain exercise can reduce the symptoms of back pain. It is also recommended that you continue working or return to work as soon as possible without straining yourself. Regular exercise helps strengthen the muscles that support your back.

Physiotherapy

If you have chronic back pain, Your GP may refer you to a physiotherapist who teach you exercises that help strengthen the muscles that support your back as well as improving the flexibility in the spine. They also show you how to sustain the correct posture and avoid future injury.

Surgery

Surgery can sometimes be an option when treating cases of chronic back pain where:

• there is an identifiable curable cause
• the patient has not responded to any other treatment
• the symptoms are getting worse.