Narcotics Offer Only Short-Term Relief of Back Pain

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Based on the analysis, Martell offers this advice to patients with chronic back pain: "Consider all your options carefully, weigh the risks vs. the benefits of those options, and be sure to seek specialty care from a pain specialist."

Dr. Andrew Sherman, head of spine and musculoskeletal rehabilitation at the Spine Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, agreed. "This meta-analysis suggests that significant risks do exist with the use of opioid medicines," he said. "Patients need to consult with a board-certified expert physician in pain management."

The lack of high-quality scientific studies is another important issue, Sherman said. The researchers found 2,378 studies but discarded most because they didn't meet the standards of their meta-analysis.

More information

To learn more about chronic back pain, visit the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.