JAMA published an article emphasizing our EM textbooks highlights regarding the simple treatment of MSK back pain are NSAIDS and Acetaminophen and then muscle relaxant. Unfortunately, rate of prescribing narcotics is increasing and rate of prescribing NSAIDS and Acetaminophen decreased.
Worsening Trends in the Management and Treatment of Back Pain
John N. Mafi, MD1; Ellen P. McCarthy, PhD, MPH1; Roger B. Davis, ScD1; Bruce E. Landon, MD, MBA, MSc1,2
JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(17):1573-1581. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.8992.