Paracetamol is no more effective than placebo in relieving acute lower back pain.

University of Sydney researchers have shown that Paracetamol is no more effective than placebo in relieving acute lower back pain. This was the first placebo-controlled trial looking specifically back pain. Associate Professor Christine Lin, of the George Institute, said “We were also surprised with the results, as we expected to see a difference, compared to placebo and also among patients who took paracetamol as required. What we were most surprised about was that for pain severity we did not see a difference at any time point.”

For most practitioners of complementary medicine this is hardly a surprise. We have always advocated that paracetamol has little or no effect and CAM therapies and medicines more effective long-term solutions. One wonders if there will be any media frenzy surrounding this news.