Experts Warn Why We Need to Stop Using Opioids for Back Pain

A new study, published July in the Lancet medical journal, found opioids do not relieve “acute” low back or neck pain (lasting up to 12 weeks) and can result in worse pain.

Prescribing opioids for low back and neck pain can also cause harms ranging from common side effects – such as nausea, constipation and dizziness – to misuse, dependency, poisoning, and death.

After six weeks of treatment, taking opioids did not result in better pain relief compared to the placebo.

Nor were there benefits to other outcomes such as physical function, quality of life, recovery time, or work absenteeism.

More people in the group treated with opioids experienced nausea, constipation, and dizziness than in the placebo group.

Results at one year highlight the potential long-term harm of opioids even with short-term use. Compared to the placebo group, people in the opioid group experienced slightly worse pain, and reported a higher risk of opioid misuse (problems with their thinking, mood or behaviour, or using opioids differently from how the medicines were prescribed).

3 comments on Experts Warn Why We Need to Stop Using Opioids for Back Pain

  1. Yes! I’m glad that someone else has decided to share this information with the public.
    Although some are aware of this it can be hard to find an alternative – when in moments of pain.
    The NHS and drugs industry in general, finds this market much too profitable to be transparent and will keep extending your prescription. I’ve met people who have been on opioids for years.
    TCM genuinely works and has hundreds of years of evidence to prove so.
    Gordon is a acupuncturist of the highest standard and your health will improve with his services. Look no further.

    My partner and I were struggling with fertility problems for over 15 years and a round of IVF compiled with a bag full of prescription drugs from the hospital had just failed.
    We decided that we would give TCM a go and within 4-5 weeks (1 session per week) my partner was pregnant!!! Amazing – Thank you soo much Gordon:)

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