A review of the literature shows that the benefits of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of lower back pain are very low.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen are the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of low back pain. However, according to a study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, these analgesics provide little benefit to patients, especially because of the significant side effects they can cause.
“Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is usually treated with this type of medication,” says Prof. Manuela Ferreira of The George Institute for Global Health (Australia). But our results show that they only provide very short-lived relief. This reduction in pain is not only mild but also far from clinically significant ”.
Indeed, after examining thirty scientific publications, bringing together more than 6,000 patients, the researchers estimate that only one in six patients reports that NSAIDs see their pain reduced. Low efficacy which had already been demonstrated in 2011 in the Cochrane review. Analysis of 65 clinical trials suggested that NSAIDs were not very effective in relieving pain in patients with acute low back pain. For those with acute sciatica, the authors concluded that a placebo did as well as the drugs.
Significant side effects
Australian scientists also demonstrate that this low efficacy comes with a significant risk of side effects. Their review of the literature suggests that patients who have taken NSAIDs are 2.5 times more likely to suffer from gastric problems such as ulcers and even bleeding.
For the authors, it is clear that these drugs can do more harm than good. They therefore insist on the importance of developing more effective and less harmful treatments. “Better yet, we should focus on preventing low back pain,” says Dr. Gustavo Machado of the University of Sydney School of Medicine. Especially since we know the exercises that reduce the risk of developing these lumbar disorders ”.
In particular, it is recommended to fight against a sedentary lifestyle because it leads to weakening of the muscles. Poorly mobilized, the muscles, ligaments and joints of the back tire quickly, which causes pain. Avoiding lumbago also means positioning yourself well at the office. Facing the computer, it is important to have your back straight and both feet on the ground. If you have to pick up a heavy object, remember to bend down with your knees bent.
In France, nearly 7 in 10 people regularly suffer from back pain, and in 2015, lumbago represented one in five work accidents.
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