We’ve covered chronic pain in depth here, so today we’re going to discuss acute back pain. While not as severe of an issue as chronic pain, it is still an uncomfortableness that nobody wants but we’re all likely to have at some point. In fact, it is the biggest complaint of people in regards to their lower back.
Often, any treatment will initially address the local pain and the inflammation that usually accompanies it. If needed, further intervention is taken and therapeutic exercise is recommended.
However, any type of pain could be an indication of a more complex situation. That is why it is important that the pain management clinician or doctor establish a clear diagnosis and identify the cause before proceeding with any treatment.
The doctor that is handling the pain management should have an understanding of anatomy, the biomechanics and the kinesiology. This enables them to localize the patient’s pain originators such as the bone, disc, ligament, muscle, nerve, and tendons. The principal process can be biomechanical, inflammation, infection, neoplastic or psychological.
There are many different drugs that are commonly prescribed to provide pain management for acute low back pain. Here we are going to look specifically at acetaminophen, or better known as Tylenol.
Acetaminophen aka Tylenol As Pain Management Drug
This is one of the main members of drugs that are classified as para-aminophenol derivatives. Acetaminophen offers analgesic and antipyretic effects which are similar to everyday aspirin. However, the effects of its anti-inflammatory are weak.
Acetaminophen is frequently recommended by pain management doctors for patients with acute lower back pain as an analgesic, which is an effective medication. There have been many studies that found acetaminophen is a superior drug in the management of osteoarthritis pain.
As any medication, OTC or prescription, there are recommended dosages and there are always possible side effects. For acetaminophen, the normal accepted oral dosage is 325 mg to 1000 mg every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed more than 4000 mg in a 24-hour period.
The peak plasma levels and effect of the analgesic are usually noticed thirty minutes to one hour afterward. Acetaminophen is an inexpensive pain management drug that is available without a prescription.
In regards to possible side effects of acetaminophen, there are possible skin inflammation and redness, urticarial skin rashes such as multiple raised and swollen areas that are itchy. These are mild and usually pass within the first twenty-four hours.
An overdose of acetaminophen can be serious and cause liver damage. For adults, ten to fifteen grams in a single dose can lead to hepatotoxicity. Extend, prolong abuse of this drug has been connected with kidney damage as well.
When using this medication for self-treat pain management does not help after seven to ten days, it is recommended that an appointment with a pain management doctor be made to avoid the risk of damaging the kidneys and liver.
