For many decades it has been standard medical practice to treat pain with anti-inflammatory drugs.
However, a new series of studies are questioning the conventional wisdom of using steroids and commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs to treat chronic back pain, suggesting they could instead prolong the pain.
It's thought the drugs in question - dexamethasone and diclofenac - may relieve back pain in the short-term but also prevent the healing of the injury.
Dr David Rice is Associate Head of Research in the School of Clinical Sciences at AUT and President of New Zealand Pain Society. He joins the show to discuss the new research.
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