The vast majority of American adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, and now a major organization is recommending that doctors treat it in a new way. On Monday, the American College of Physicians released updated guidelines that urge doctors to avoid medication as the first-line therapy for lower back pain—a departure from its previous guidelines.
Instead, the organization says doctors should urge patients to use alternative therapies, like yoga, heat, exercise, acupuncture, massage therapy, low-level laser therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or spinal manipulation under the guidance of a medical professional before they try medication. Physicians should also tell their patients that lower back pain typically improves over time, regardless of the treatment they use.
If a patient wants medication, the organization says over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil) could help, as can muscle relaxers, but it notes that steroid injections and acetaminophen (Tylenol) have not been found to be helpful.
Instead, the organization says doctors should urge patients to use alternative therapies, like yoga, heat, exercise, acupuncture, massage therapy, low-level laser therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or spinal manipulation under the guidance of a medical professional before they try medication. Physicians should also tell their patients that lower back pain typically improves over time, regardless of the treatment they use.
If a patient wants medication, the organization says over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil) could help, as can muscle relaxers, but it notes that steroid injections and acetaminophen (Tylenol) have not been found to be helpful.








