How Muscle Relaxants Help With Low Back Pain


Low back pain is a common complaint that most of us will experience at some point in our lives. Fortunately the treatment is usually straight forward and doesn’t involve surgery. But what types of medications can really help? Most physicians acknowledge the role of anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics to treat back pain. One of the most beneficial medications, however, can often be muscle relaxants, which treat the muscle spasm that is so often associated with back injuries.

Muscle relaxants are often prescribed in the treatment of acute low back pain in an attempt to improve the initial limitations in range of motion from muscle spasm and to interrupt the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Limiting muscle spasm and improving range of motion will prepare the patient for therapeutic exercise. There are many types of muscle relaxants and they can be very effective in relieving spasm and diminishing pain. Although muscle relaxants are very safe drugs, they can have side effects and should be used with caution under the direction of a physician.

The most common side effect of muscle relaxants is sedation, and these drugs should be used with caution in patients driving motor vehicles or operating heavy machinery. Muscle relaxants have been found to be effective when used either alone or in combination with an analgesic/anti-inflammatory agent within seven days of symptom onset. The prescribing physician should monitor patients receiving these medications and tailor dosages in an attempt to minimize the drowsiness and sedation often associated with their use.

For more information, visit our web site at lowbackpain.com or call us for an appointment at 770-421-1420.

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