It’s impossible to go through life pain free. After all, pain is our body’s way of signaling the brain that something’s wrong and needs attention. Sometimes, diagnosing the problem is simple: Your 5-year-old presents a bleeding, gashed chin fresh from a bike accident. He needs a trip to the emergency room for stitches and perhaps an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen until the wound heals. Your husband lumbers into the house, hunched over and rubbing his back from a morning spent raking leaves. A hot bath and a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory pain reliever such as ibuprofen or naproxen will likely suffice, unless the pain lingers for a few days or more.

As the seasons change, our activities change and pain comes in different forms. Pain that doesn’t diminish quickly or is ongoing should be discussed with your care provider. Sometimes pain can signal a serious developing health problem. But the most common pain can often be treated with rest and medication.

Did you know that half of Americans surveyed by the American Chronic Pain Association said they have ongoing pain that isn’t relieved by the medications they’re taking—and that most of those reporting this were men? That most people live with pain for up to three months before seeking expert help? That back pain is the second-most commonly reported pain, just after headache? Pain is a part of life, but pain that shoots into an arm or leg or that brings weakness or numbness anywhere in your body needs to be addressed immediately by a health care provider. This kind of pain often shows up as the first sign of a stroke or heart attack, especially chest or arm pain in men.

Most back pain comes from injuries from sports, house, or yard work, or a sudden jolt from something like a car accident. Back pain can also happen when we stress our spine and its tissues and nerves. It can feel like a muscle ache or a shooting or stabbing sensation, and it often leaves us with less flexibility, reduced range of motion or, in some cases, an inability to stand straight. “Lie down” used to be the leading advice for someone with back pain, but experts now know that’s not the best remedy. One to two days of bed rest with interspersed periods of moderate movement and stretching is more effective in relieving back pain. If you’ve been struggling with back pain and taking over-the-counter medications without relief for three or more days, see your health care provider.

There are some prescription medications that might be more effective, and you could have an underlying condition compounding the problem. Talk with your care provider about gentle exercises that can also strengthen your back during recovery. Women and men are almost equally affected when it comes to back pain, say experts at the National Institutes of Health, but young Americans seem to be at greater risk than ever before.

Back pain among children and adolescents is being reported at increasing levels, and this pain is most often associated with heavy backpacks—not sports injuries! To help ease the load on youngsters, keep backpacks small, limit contents, and advise school children to make frequent trips to their lockers. Purchase backpacks with wheels, and teach your children to lift by bending their knees first.


There are many drugs in your local pharmacy for treating pain, including common pain relievers (such as acetaminophen) for headaches and minor pain; anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin) for both pain and swelling; and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen) for pain, swelling, and fever.

And then there are prescription drugs, including steroidal drugs (such as cortisol and prednisone) for serious conditions such as arthritis. Morphine-like drugs called opioids are often used for severe pain, such as pain from cancer. Antidepressants were introduced to treat depression, but they've been found to effectively relieve pain, especially in people having trouble sleeping. Anti-seizure medications are useful for treating nerve pain. Ongoing pain can trigger depression in someone struggling with a health condition; if you or a loved one is experiencing ongoing pain, talk to your health care provider about the risks of depression associated with chronic pain.