Chronic Pain Today

Eligibility

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be resident of the county of San Diego, CA
• Ages 21-70 inclusive
• Low back pain (T-6 or below, secondary to degenerative disk or degenerative joint disease) present “on a daily basis” for the previous 6 months or longer, of at least “moderate” intensity determined by DDS (Descriptor Differential Scale) > 7
• English-speaking, literate, able to understand the study and communicate with the study team
• Presently not a candidate for back surgery (one prior back surgery permitted if it was > 5 years ago and resulted in complete relief)
• Discontinued muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and opioids at least two weeks before screening and agree to discontinue throughout study (can remain on stable dose of NSAIDs)
• If female, not pregnant or lactating; agrees to use reliable contraception throughout the study, and has negative pregnancy test at screening
• Gives informed consent.

For more information: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00108550?term=Pain%5BCONDITION%5D&recr=Open&rank=28

Low Back Pain can be treated in many different ways. There are TENS units and ice packs, there are acupuncture and meditation techniques, but most people and doctors tend to pick up drug therapy medications to treat and ease their low back pain symptoms.




Medications used to treat low back pain includes :

• OTC medications – These include medications that are NSAIDS (those used to reduce inflammation and pain relief, Acetaminophen (used for pain relief but not inflammation reduction), and some topical treatments that will stimulate blood flow to the area.

• Opiods – These medications are used to treat chronic and severe pain and usually for a short time, although there are some patients on them for a lifetime. They will need a doctor’s supervision to test for addiction and tolerance issues.
• Anticonvulsants – These medications typically treat seizures but are also helpful in some low back pain cases because they work on the nerves. Typically these are done with some OTC medications as well.
• Antidepressants – These medications have been shown to help relieve pain and will help in sleep issues. They will dull the pain sensors in the body and will help give a brief and small elevation in mood as well.