Study shows Fish Oil helps reduce neck & back pain.

Most people suffering from non-specific pain in the neck and back commonly resort to daily use of NSAID medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The problem is, complications such as bleeding, heart attacks, gastric ulcers, and even death are associated with their use. Just recently, researchers have confirmed that supplementing with fish oil (a rich source of essential fatty acids) can help reduce inflammation, and therefore reduce pain – with almost no side effects. Results of their study were published in the journal Surgical Neurology.

The researchers gave 250 patients who had visited a neurosurgeon for neck and back pain 1200 mg of EFAs per day for a total of four months. The study group was given a questionnaire one month after starting their supplementation. The results were very gratifying for both the researchers and participants.

Sixty percent of the participants who remained in the study stated that their overall pain was improved, and sixty percent of the patients said their joint pain improved. Eighty percent said they were satisfied with the improvement and fifty-none percent said they were able to stop taking their current pain killer altogether. In addition, no side effects were reported.

Benefits Equal to Pain Killers but with No Side Effects.

The results reported in this study mirrored other controlled studies that showed EFA supplements were equal to ibuprofen in reducing arthritic pain. The lead research of the study stated that, “EFA fish oil supplements appear to be a safer alternative to NSAIDs for treatment of nonsurgical neck or back pain in this selective group.”(1)

References:
1. Surgical Neurology,  April 2006,  Pages 326-331