Rethinking Back Pain Treatment: Opioids Not the Solution, New Study Finds
A world-first trial led by the University of Sydney has found that opioids are not more effective than a placebo for treating acute back and neck pain and may even pose a risk for harm. The researchers argue that treatment guidelines should be updated to advise against using opioids for this type of pain. The study highlights the need to reassess the use of opioid pain-relieving medicines due to limited evidence of benefit and known significant risk of harm. Reducing the overuse of opioids is a global health priority, and medical authorities are shifting focus to non-opioid treatments for low back pain.