Patient Information Resources


Spine Institute
Glendale Adventist Medical Center
1500 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Suite 401B
Glendale, CA 91206
Ph: (818) 863-4444






Spine - Cervical
Spine - General
Spine - Lumbar
Spine - Thoracic

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I hurt my back at work and haven't been able to recover as fast as I had hoped. It's been four days and I'm still laid up. Usually I'm better after the first 24 to 48 hours. I've been popping aspirin, Tylenol, and ibuprofen but nothing helps. Should I ask my doc for a narcotic?

If you haven't seen a physician, you might want to consider making an appointment. You may just have a soft tissue injury. But your slower than usual recovery and high pain level may be a sign of a more serious injury. For example, an X-ray may be needed to rule out a bone fracture.

Today's guidelines for the management of pain associated with acute low back pain is to use acetaminophen (Tylenol) as prescribed by your doctor. Dosage and duration may need to be adjusted for you. An anti-inflammatory drug may also be appropriate.

Narcotics (also referred to as opioids) are usually reserved for people with more severe pain. Their side effects and negative effects from long-term use keep these drugs from being the first line of treatment choice.

Very often patients who are given opioids within the first 15 days of an acute injury end up with more severe, longer lasting pain later. This is when compared to people who have similar injuries who do not take opioids. Early opioid users are more likely to have surgery later.

Given the information here, a medical consultation seems advised. An accurate diagnosis is first. Then the most appropriate treatment can be prescribed. Pain management without the use of opioids may be best. Your doctor will know what to suggest for you.


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