The Shed

As soon as you feel back pain, take strong Panadol and/or anti-inflamation pills/cream like Voltaren .

Unless you have done serious damage like rupturing a disc, the pain is caused by the increased pressure from inflammation.

The idea is to reduce the inflammation as quickly as possible.

If you have done serious damage, then you will definitely know about it, you’ll have trouble walking/sitting etc. The info on this page may help but it’s aimed mainly at temporary back pain.

Unfortunately I’m an expert on back pain, ruptured discs and I’ve had 4 back operations including a Petersens Osteotomy.

Voltaren Emugel cream reduces my back pain better than anything else.

Before I discovered Voltaren, I was taking Naprosyn tablets, a NSAID, to relieve the pain. After a few years it was causing stomach problems, a well known side effect and in 2003 I had to stop taking it. All anti inflammatory pills eventually damage the stomach lining. There are other pills to take with them which help avoid that.

Because Voltaren is a cream rubbed directly onto the area, it bypasses the stomach and goes straight to the inflammation that is causing pain. When my back is playing up, I apply Votaren to the area, which can be the upper back, middle or lower back and sometimes my entire back!! I get slow relief that tends to last right through the night, and still feel good the next morning. I have been using it since 2004 and it’s the only thing I have found, apart from pain killers, that gives me relief.

It’s marvelous stuff!!

As with all drugs, they should NOT be used continuously. Save it for when you really need it.

The instructions say you can apply it 2 or 3 times a day and it should not be used for longer than 7 days.

Here’s a bit of technical info –

Voltaren Emulgel is a topical anti-inflammatory gel made by Novartis for the relief of pain and swelling. It is classified as an over-the-counter medicine and you do not need a prescription to purchase.

Voltaren Emulgel contains an active ingredient called diclofenac that is one of the groups of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics.

Voltaren Emulgel is used to relieve pain and reduce swelling in a number of conditions affecting the joints and muscles

Voltaren Emuglel is used to treat inflammation of tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints due to trauma (eg. Sports injuries, sprains, strains, bruises), soft tissue rheumatism and localized rheumatic conditions e.g.bursitis, and for aches and pains, back, neck, and shoulder pain.

Always consult your doctor before self treatment. Always look at what other drugs you are taking and the possible side effects of combining different drugs.