Christian and Elaine argue that this new evidence reopens the debate on the role of paracetamol as our first choice analgesic, and question our reliance on medication to manage these common musculoskeletal problems. They suggest alternative, safe and effective treatments be adopted, asserting that the challenge for healthcare practitioners and patients is how to ensure the longevity of exercise based self-management approaches.
The challenge for patients, providers of healthcare, and policy makers is how to ensure access to, uptake of, and adherence to these self management approaches."
- Christian Mallen and Elaine Hay
Efficacy and safety of paracetamol for spinal pain and osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo controlled trials. Gustavo C Machado, Chris G Maher, Paulo H Ferreira, Marina B Pinheiro, Chung-Wei Christine Lin, Richard O Day, Andrew J McLachlan, Manuela L Ferreira.
Read the editorial Managing back pain and osteoarthritis without paracetamol. Christian Mallen, Elaine Hay.
BMJ Press release