Pain Archive

Chronic back pain (pain that lasts more than 12 weeks) can be more challenging to diagnose and treat compared to short-term pain from an injury. The first-line approach is conservative treatment, such as over-the-counter pain medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. However, sometimes these are not enough, and advanced methods are needed. Depending on the source of chronic back pain, these can include stronger prescription medication, corticosteroid injections, and surgery.

A 2025 analysis found that tricyclic antidepressants, the anticonvulsants gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) were the most effective drug treatments for neuropathic pain.

A 2025 study of more than 11,000 people (average age 55), followed for about four years, those who walked more than 100 minutes a day had a 23% lower risk of chronic low back pain, compared with people who walked less than 78 minutes per day.

Studies show that women’s pain experiences are often minimized, dismissed, or undertreated by clinicians. Women and men perceive pain differently. Factors contributing to women’s undertreatment for pain include lack of objective pain measures, uncertain diagnoses, clinician bias, and how women are socialized. Women can ensure their pain is taken seriously by communicating closely with clinicians about expectations, stating they recognize their pain may not be 100% relieved, and doing their own research on possible reasons for pain.

Topical painkillers might be safer than pills to relieve discomfort from muscle strains (like a pulled hamstring) or ligament sprains (like a sprained ankle). This is because topicals target the area of pain. As a result, other parts of the body are exposed to lower levels of medicine. That’s important, since some painkillers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can pose severe risks—such as heart attack and stroke.

Approximately 50 million adults experience some daily pain. These people usually encounter fluctuations in pain during the day, but in many cases, the pain worsens at night, disrupting sleep. Many strategies can be adopted to prevent and manage nighttime pain, such as doing a pre-bedroom relaxation routine, creating a healthy sleep environment, reframing negative thinking, changing sleeping positions, and using supportive pillows.

To reduce the pain of aching hip or buttocks muscles, one might consider stretching them. The activity makes muscles healthier and more flexible, which might keep them from pressing against nerves or bursae that can become inflamed and tender. It’s best to stretch regularly with static stretches of the muscles at least three to five times per week, after a brief warm-up or a regular exercise routine. If hip or buttock pain flares, doing gentle stretches might ease discomfort in the moment.