Recommendations state opioids should be last resort for pain
TUESDAY, Feb. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — First-line therapy for patients with low back pain should be simple non-pharmacological remedies — from heat wraps to physical therapy, according to a new clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians (ACP) published online Feb. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The recommendations are based on a review of studies of evidence for various stages of low back pain. In many cases, the ACP found, the therapies — pharmacological or not — showed small to moderate benefits.
In general, the ACP said, patients with low back pain should first try non-pharmacological options. For pain that has lasted fewer than 12 weeks, research suggests that heat wraps, massage, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation may ease pain and restore function to a moderate degree. If the pain lasts more than 12 weeks, studies suggest some non-pharmacological options can still be helpful, according to the guidelines. Those include exercise therapy; acupuncture; mind-body therapies like yoga, tai chi, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and guided relaxation techniques; and cognitive behavioral therapy.
When medication is used, the ACP advises starting with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen — or possibly muscle relaxants. Acetaminophen is no longer recommended. Citing moderate-quality evidence, the guideline recommends opioids as an option only in patients who have failed all aforementioned treatments, and only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
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