Types of Back and Neck Pain Prescription Medications

The most common type of pain that every human faces at least once in their life is back or neck pain. There are many over-the-counter (non-prescription) and prescription medications that are available to manage and relieve this kind of pain. However, it is imperative to figure out the cause behind the pain, before you take any medication.

Pain management is a critical factor for people recovering from back or neck pain. Before you can go ahead and start looking for medication options, you need to figure out the cause. It can be narrowed down by carefully monitoring your symptoms and lifestyle. See a doctor immediately if the pain persists for more than 3 days.

Remember that acute or chronic back/neck pain can lead to depression, sleep disorders, difficulty in exercising etc. It can disrupt your whole professional life as well as personal life. Consult a doctor and get right pain medications to manage your pain.

There are 3 different type of pain relievers:

1.   Oral pain medications –They can be in the form of pill or liquid. They work differently but both have unique benefits. Some medications are only available by prescription. This includes narcotic pain medications that help alleviate pain. Oral steroids is another form of non-narcotic pain medication that can help with back/neck pain.

2.   Topical pain medications - These are generally applied on the skin to reduce localized pain that happen due to a sore muscle or an arthritic joint. They are readily available as OTC medication. Some popular topical pain relievers in the US are Zostrix, Arthricare, Icy Hot, Aspercreme etc.

3.    Injections–This type of pain relieving medication is generally used to treat high level of pain and instant relief. Prescription is a must to get this type of medication.

Most of the prescription - oral and injection (narcotic) based pain medications have addictive and intoxicating properties. So, a prescription from a doctor is must to attain these medications. As they cost quite high, some people may have a hard time affording these medications. There are Prescription discount cards available online that can help you get some discounts on these kind of medications.