JAMA has recently published a double-blind randomized controlled trial suggesting that a muscle relaxant and a narcotic drug are no more effective than naproxen for relieving acute low back pain. There have been many previous studies that have shown that the narcotic drugs are no more effective for treating low back pain. Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory medication and much safer than the narcotic drugs.
Prescription Naproxen as Good as Narcotic Painkillers for Low Back Pain: Study