Yes. Doctors have many medications they can prescribe for pain and inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe only one of these medications or several.
*Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) effectively relieve muscle pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter type of NSAID. A doctor must prescribe some types of NSAIDs.
*COX-2 inhibitors help relieve inflammation like other familiar NSAIDs, but they aren’t as hard on the stomach and intestines.
*Non-narcotic analgesics attack the pain at the point of injury. (“Analgesics” means “pain relievers.”) Tylenol and aspirin are examples of over-the-counter analgesics.
*Muscles relaxants can sometimes help ease the pain from muscle spasm.
*Narcotic pain medications are sometimes used in cases of severe pain. These medications numb the central nervous system and are highly addictive if they’re overused, so doctors prescribe them sparingly.
*Anti-depressants can help with the emotional stress and emotional fatigue that comes from suffering chronic pain.
Medications cannot stop degeneration, but they can help control your symptoms so you can move and exercise easier. Work with your doctor to find what works best for you.