OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTS MAY HELP RELIEVE NECK, LOW BACK PAIN.

From March to June 2004, 125 patients evaluated by a neurosurgeon and found to have nonsurgical neck or back pain were asked to take a total of 1200 mg/day of omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) found in fish oil supplements. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. Average duration of fish oil therapy was 75 days. Reported benefits were discontinuation of prescription NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs) in 59% of patients, improvement in overall pain in 60%, improvement in joint pain in 60%, and satisfaction with the level of improvement in 80%. There were no significant adverse effects reported, and 88% stated they would continue to take the fish oil supplements. The authors write, “Our results mirror other controlled studies that compared ibuprofen and omega-3 EFAs demonstrating equivalent effect in reducing arthritic pain. Omega-3 EFA fish oil supplements appear to be a safer alternative to NSAIDs for treatment of nonsurgical neck or back pain in this selective group.” (Medscape Medical News, 4/10/2006)