A recent study published in the renowned British Medical Journal in 2017 linked the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medication with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack).

This study looked at usage times from as short as 1 week to up to 1 month. There was an identifiable risk associated with usage for 1 week that understandably increased as usage continued. The dosages that were studied were 1200mg per day of ibuprofen and 750mg per day of naproxen. The maximum recommended dosage per day for an adult of ibuprofen is in fact 3200 mg per day.

Pain is your body’s way of letting you know that it is injured and needs care.

Injury at the joint will result in inflammation and stimulates the pain receptors in the area. This stimulation travels up to the brain that registers the pain and subsequently there is a response generated that results in inflammation, muscle spasm and other neurophysiological activity.

We need to stop looking for the quick fix and fast response and allow our body to heal in the time that is necessary.

How long does it take to heal?

This answer can be different to everyone and can depend on how long the problem has been there, the presence of any other underlying conditions and your age to name a few. You need to listen to your body but more importantly take the advice of your chiropractor. You will heal faster and more effectively without the use of unnecessary medication and the adverse side effects.

In addition to this study in the British Medical Journal, the Age reported similar facts in February 2017.

“Millions of Australians are wasting money on drugs for back pain that do more harm than good..”

Research Fellow Gustavo Machado, of the George Institute and Sydney University’s School of Medicine said…

“Millions of Australians are taking drugs that not only don’t work very, they are causing harm.”

“Earlier research found that paracetamol is ineffective and opioids provide minimal benefit over a placebo”

Their research also examined 35 trials involving more than 6000 people on anti-inflammatory drugs, know as NSAID’s, and found that only one in six achieved any significant result.

Examples of NSAID’s include Aspirin, Celebrex, Ibuprofen Naprosyn and Volatren. Examples of opiods include Coedine, Oxycontin and Oxycodone, Methadone and Tramadol.

REFERENCES

http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1909
The Age, February 3, 2017: Page 9. “Popping Pills for Back Pain….”, Andrew Taylor.