If you have ever suffered from back pain of any type, you know how debilitating the symptoms can be. It seems that when your back hurts, everything hurts, and relief from the discomfort rapidly becomes your top priority. The good news is that there are many good back pain medications on the market today that can treat your discomfort, regardless of the origination of the pain or the severity of it. Some of these medications can be picked up over the counter, and others must be prescribed by your doctor. Rest assured that is you are currently suffering from back pain and discomfort; there is probably a back pain medication that can bring you relief.

Over the Counter Back Pain Medications

For your average, run-of-the-mill type of back pain, you can probably head to your local grocery store or pharmacy for relief. Any type of over the counter medicine can become a back pain medication, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin. However, because of the inflammation that often accompanies back pain; the best over the counter back pain medication is usually ibuprofen or aspirin. This is because these medications will address that inflammation as well as the general pain. Keep in mind that just because you can buy a back pain medication over the counter, that doesn’t mean that you do not have to heed the dosing instructions and warnings on the bottle label. None of these medications are designed for regular use over the long term, so if you find yourself taking a back pain medication for more than a week, it is a good idea to see your doctor for further advice.

Prescription Back Pain Medications

If you find that the over the counter choices are not effectively reducing your pain and discomfort, or you need medicine over the long term, your doctor can prescribe the best back pain medication for you. This may include medicines like muscle relaxants that can effectively reduce painful spasms, or antidepressants that have been proven effective in the fight against chronic pain issues. Your doctor can also prescribe stronger pain medications if you have an acute back problem that is causing severe pain. Before prescribing any type of back pain medication, your doctor will probably want to give you a thorough examination to attempt to determine the cause of your discomfort, and rule out any underlying medical problems.

Back pain does not have to put a damper on your life. With the proper back pain medication, your discomfort can become an issue of the past, and you can be on the road to more pain-free days in your future.