(Integrative Medicine) - People who suffer from low back pain may now have an herbal alternative to expensive pain-killing medications, according to a new study in the journal Rheumatology.

A group of European researchers randomly assigned 228 men and women with low back pain to receive willow bark extract or rofecoxib (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID) for 4 weeks. All participants were allowed to continue taking medications or other conventional treatments throughout the study.

One-hundred eighty-three patients completed the study. Participants in both groups reported a significant reduction in back pain by the end of the study. After 4 weeks of treatment, 22 people in the willow bark group and 20 people in the NSAID group were completely pain-free. Few participants in either group took additional conventional medications throughout the study to ease their pain. Both groups also reported a similar number of adverse events, with stomach upset being the most commonly reported side effect.

Noting that willow bark is roughly 40% less expensive than rofecoxib, the researchers conclude that willow bark and rofecoxib are equally safe and effective in the treatment of low back pain, but that willow bark extract "has the current advantage of being cheaper than rofecoxib."

References

Chrubasik S, Kunzel O, Model A, Conradt C, Black A. Treatment of low back pain with a herbal or synthetic anti-rheumatic: a randomized controlled study. Willow bark for low back pain. Rheumatology. 2001;40:1388-1393.