How medicines fit in
 
Whether you have bought a non-prescription medicine or have been prescribed a medicine, be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other prescription and non-prescription medicine you are taking, including any alternative remedies, vitamins and supplements. 
 
What your doctor prescribes will depend on the cause and severity of your pain. 
 
Nociceptive pain  
 
Painkillers offer short-term relief and give you time to recover. Never take more than the recommended dose.  
 
Anti-inflammatories can reduce inflammation. They are normally taken in tablet form.  
 
Local anaesthetics can be injected to numb severe pain for short periods. This is performed by specialists, usually anaesthetists.  
 
Neuropathic pain  
 
Traditional painkillers used to treat nociceptive pain may not work if your pain is neuropathic. Different treatments can be used to reduce this type of pain, including medicines that could be used to treat epilepsy and depression. Occasionally people don’t take these medicines because it has not been explained to them that they are not being given to them for depression or epilepsy but to help their pain.  
 
Mixed pain  
 
Your pain may be both nociceptive and neuropathic, and you may need to take a combination of medications to try to target all the underlying causes of your pain.  
 
Make a note of what works  
 
Keeping records, possibly in the form of a diary, can be an important part of your ongoing care. Write down how the medicine made you feel, how well they worked to reduce your pain, and so on. These are easy to forget if not noted down at the time they happen. Your doctor will need this information during your next appointment so that he or she can give you the best possible help.  
 
When you visit your doctor, remember to bring your completed pain diary with you for discussion.  
 
Living with back pain  
 
Recommended lifestyle changes:  
 

• Adopt healthy habits like eating a balanced diet and limiting or avoiding alcohol.  
   
  
• If you are overweight, take the strain off your back by losing weight.  
   
  
• Gentle exercise can help your body become stronger and more supple, potentially reducing pain. Get some advice on what will work for you.  
   
  
• Quit smoking. Smoking constricts blood vessels that supply your nerves and muscles with the nutrients they need to heal.

 
Take an active role managing your pain:  
 

• Talk openly about your pain with family and friends.  
   
  
• Arm yourself with information about your condition.  
   
  
• Download and keep a pain diary to see how your pain changes over time.  
   
  
• Discuss your condition regularly with your doctor. And report any concerns immediately.