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El Reg reports:
Reported in The Lancet, the study [on paracetamol also known as acetaminophen] funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline Australia ran for over three years and involved "a multicentre, double-dummy, randomised, placebo controlled trial across 235 primary care centres in Sydney."
The study saw some patients given regular doses paracetamol, others told to take the drug when in pain and a third group handed placebos. Those given paracetamol, in either mode, reported no less pain than those taking placebos. Nor did sugar-pill-poppers recover from their ailments more slowly.
The authors therefore "question the universal endorsement of paracetamol in this patient group."
In this interview the study's leader Professor Chris Maher even questions whether Paracetamol can be considered a pain-killer.
"The jury is out" on whether the drug lessens pain, Professor Maher says about two minutes into the interview.
So, what does work? Don't just lay there; for starters, get up and MOVE AROUND.
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Friday July 25 2014, @04:27PM
I have a friend who inherited a spinal problem where he had severe herniated or ruptured discs (I forget). His father has two fused vertebrae and underwent surgery. Both he and his sister have both had major back surgery and fused vertebrae.
He still gets recurring back pain after any moderately strenuous lifting activity. He was put on prescription opioids but they either knock him out or make him vomit. His solution? Smoking pot. It does not numb the pain but it helps him deal with it. If his backs acts up and he is laid up in bed for the day he smokes a bowl. It enables him to get up and move around which helps relieve the pain. So he walks the dog, does chores that does not involve lifting or cooks dinner for his wife. This happens to him once or twice a month.