Lower back pain’s, well, a real pain to deal with. Did you know that according to Arthritis Research UK, a massive 1 in 6 of us suffer with back pain making it the leading cause of disability in England? Beyond the UK, it’s a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide, often disrupting our daily activities and reducing our quality of life.
At W5Physio we’re used to seeing lots of lower back problems in our clinic and we’re dedicated to providing the very best patient care, ensuring our clients can manage their pain effectively and regain their mobility. Because of the painful nature of lower back pain, alongside physiotherapy you may be prescribed a powerful anti inflammatory such as Naproxen. Let’s delve into more about how Naproxen can help and when it may be an option for you.
Understanding Lower Back Pain
The first thing we would assess when you book an appointment with us to discuss your lower back pain is what’s causing it. The initial assessment involves a “subjective” which is a structured interview where we exclude specific causes of low back pain, for example, cancer, infection, trauma, or inflammatory disease such as spondyloarthritis. If serious underlying pathology is suspected, we would refer to relevant NICE guidelines on:
- metastatic spinal cord compression in adults
- spinal injury
- spondyloarthritis in over 16s
- suspected cancer. [2016]
Once we have “ruled out” any serious pathology via the appropriate questions we would move on to understand your back pain, in terms of the predominant pain mechanism (this could be mechanical pain, inflammatory pain, neurogenic pain, somatic pain, central pain), the source of symptoms, i.e. the muscle, joints, ligaments, discs etc., and any contributing factors i.e. your fitness level, your biomechanics, your lifestyle, weight, stress, psychological status.
As part of the subjective examination we’ll ask about your medical history to understand if there are any contraindications to you taking medicines such as Naproxen. This would involve asking, for example, are you asthmatic? (which would contraindicate you taking this medicine), do you have any gastro intestinal problems such as Crohn’s? (another contraindication), your age? (if you’re over 65 years old it’s not advised to prescribe Naproxen due to an increased risk of a gastro intestinal bleeding), amongst other questions. The “subjective” part of your assessment helps us build a plan of what to assess during the “objective” part of the examination.
After a thorough objective examination we come to a clinical impression/diagnosis, for example “lumbar facet arthropathy.” We would then discuss your treatment plan and come to a shared-decision about what to do about it. Part of this treatment plan may involve a prescription of Naproxen to reduce your inflammatory pain and give you a “window of opportunity” to mobilise and strengthen the area.
A usual prescription would be a two week course.
The Role of Naproxen in Pain Management
If you’re not familiar with Naproxen, it’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to manage pain and inflammation. It works by blocking certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation, providing relief from pain and allowing individuals to feel more comfortable and to get back to daily activities. Naproxen is commonly prescribed for conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and other inflammatory disorders that can affect the lower back.
Benefits and Risks of Naproxen
The potential benefits of Naproxen include significant reduction in pain and inflammation, plus the improvement of overall function and quality of life. Symptoms can ease as soon as one hour after taking your first dose.
But, like all medications, it does come with some potential risks and side effects too. It’s advisable to take it with a meal or snack and to take the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time to minimise the chance of any adverse effects. Some of the most common issues caused by Naproxen can include things like gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, confusion, ringing in the ears, or headaches. So, it’s essential to adhere to medical advice and prescribed dosages to minimise any associated risks and ensure you’re using the drug safely.
While Naproxen is safe for the majority of adults, avoid it if you’ve ever experienced an allergic reaction to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). And seek medical advice before using Naproxen if you’ve ever had stomach ulcers, liver, kidney or heart failure, have Crohn’s disease or colitis, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
When to Speak to a Physio
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at W5Physio if your lower back pain is persistent, or if you experience symptoms such as severe pain, numbness, or loss of function – we’re always here to help! And we can advise whether we think you would benefit from a painkiller like Naproxen too.
At W5Physio, our expert physiotherapists will complement the use of medication with tailored hands-on techniques that’ll help to enhance mobility, strengthen muscles, and reduce pain. Physiotherapy’s an integral part of a comprehensive pain management plan, and we’ll make sure we’re addressing both immediate symptoms and your long-term recovery and avoiding relapses wherever possible.
At W5Physio, we pride ourselves on our personalised approach. Our experienced team is skilled in managing lower back pain and inflammatory conditions, offering services from thorough assessments to bespoke treatment plans and ongoing support. We’re focussed on providing you with the tools and knowledge needed to manage your pain effectively.
Often, the key to successfully eliminating lower back pain and inflammation requires a combination of medication, physiotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments. And we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re struggling with pain, don’t wait – reach out to us and make an appointment today. We’ll do all we can to get you back to a full and active life.
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Overview | Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management | Guidance | NICE
