The last thing you should do for back pain is use pain killers. Those are the opioids that can lead to addiction. And sometimes, they can lead to other drugs such as heroin. A new report takes a different approach. The report breaks down back pain into two groups. The first group includes pain that lasts less than twelve weeks. For this type of pain, the report says try applying heat or getting a massage. Exercise can help. You can try acupuncture. You can go to a chiropractor. You can try over-the-counter drugs such as Advil. The report says some common drugs like Tylenol are not effective. See what works best for you. You can get drugs such as Celebrex or Flexeril from your doctor. There are drugs that are more powerful. Cymbalta treats anxiety and depression. Tramadol is a less addicting opioid. Discuss any use with your doctor. The second pain group includes chronic pain that lasts more than twelve weeks. You should try the methods listed above first. If they do not work, there are other things to do. You can try physical therapy. You can try stress reduction. The report says you might want to try mindfulness or behavioral therapy. Talk to a professional about what might work best for you. Most adults have back pain at some time in their life. It is often the reason people miss work. It happens as people get older and their bodies change. It involves changes in the spine, muscles, discs and nerves. It involves the way people move. It can be the result of poor posture. Back pain can happen without warning. It can be the result of an accident or by lifting something heavy. It can be the result of too much or too little exercise. A doctor said. "About one-quarter of U.S. adults have had back pain in the past few months." The doctor said that it is a good idea to try not to use drugs. He said opioids, even for chronic back pain, are "prescribed more often than we like to see." Recent studies have found that doctors have their preferences. You may have to ask around for a health professional who favors more natural approaches. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Type: 0