[Indication and significance of pharmacological intervention for back pain]

Back pain is divided into two phases; acute pain is due to the increased signal from the nociceptive receptors in the nerve endings and chronic pain is resulting from the reconstruction of the new nervous net work during the healing stage. Use of NSAIDs and opioids is indicated for the acute pain that is not eased by taking a rest. NSAIDs is also profitable to control chronic pain, but NSAIDs has complications of renal and digestive functions. Persons with ages of more than 65 are especially liable to those dysfunctions. Pharmacological intervention on back pain may not only give the therapeutic benefits but also it can provide the clues for the elucidation of the mechanism and the new therapeutic interventions.