Mefenamic Acid for Back Pain: Benefits, Risks, and When to Consider Chiro Therapy
Main points:
- While this NSAID can ease your pain temporarily, it’s important to know both its benefits and risks before using it.
- Chiropractic therapy offers a drug‑free, holistic approach that focuses on correcting spinal misalignments (subluxations) and improving nervous system function to relieve pain naturally.
- Chiro therapy corrects spinal alignment to improve your posture, reducing strain on your back and neck while giving you more energy throughout the day.
According to a study that was published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 619 million people globally experienced low back pain in 2020. The study also added that this number will reach 843 million by 2050. If you’re dealing with back pain, you’re not alone and you’re probably reaching for pain relievers like mefenamic acid (one of the most used drugs in the Philippines) when back pain strikes.
While the said Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) can provide temporary relief, bear in mind that you need to understand its benefits, risks, and limitations. Additionally, WHO stressed that pain killers shouldn’t be your go-to choice for back pain treatment. That said, you should consider going the holistic route and try chiro therapy. A method that has gained popularity nowadays because of its effectiveness, safety, and everything in between.
What is mefenamic acid?
Mefenamic acid (Ponstan by Pfizer, Dolfenal by Unilab, RiteMED, Rhea, etc.) is an NSAID that is used to treat mild to moderate pain as well as inflammation. It’s prescribed usually by doctors for back pain, menstrual cramps, and the like. It works by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals in your body, providing temporary relief from discomfort. Mefenamic acid is typically prescribed for no more than one week due to potential side effects and health risks.
What are the common side effects of mefenamic acid?
Some of the most common side effects of mefenamic acid are gastrointestinal and generally mild when used for a short period. Some of the most notable ones are as follows:
- Stomach pain or upset stomach
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Heartburn, gas, or bloating
- Dizziness or headaches
Stomach pain or upset stomach. The medication can irritate your stomach lining by reducing protective substances that normally shield it from digestive acids.
Nausea and/or vomiting. Stomach irritation from the medication can trigger feelings of queasiness or cause you to vomit, especially within hours of taking it.
Diarrhea or constipation. The drug can disrupt your digestive system, causing either loose, frequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools.
Heartburn, gas, or bloating. Mefenamic acid can affect how your stomach produces acid and processes food, leading to burning sensations, excess gas, and abdominal fullness.
Dizziness or headaches. The medication can cause lightheadedness when standing or moving, along with mild to moderate head pain.
What are the serious side effects of mefenamic acid?
Mefenamic acid can cause serious side effects that involve the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and immune system. You need to immediately visit your doctor if you experience the following:
- Heart attack or stroke
- Heart failure
- Serious kidney damage
- Hepatotoxicity (Liver Injury)
Heart attack or stroke. Mefenamic acid increases your risk of blood clots that can block arteries to your heart or brain, causing potentially fatal heart attacks or strokes that may occur even early in treatment.
Heart failure. The medication can weaken your heart’s ability to pump blood effectively throughout your body, causing fluid buildup in your lungs and legs.
Serious kidney damage. The medication reduces blood flow to your kidneys, potentially causing them to fail and stop filtering waste from your blood, which may require dialysis.
Hepatotoxicity (Liver Injury). The medication can damage liver cells and impair your liver’s ability to filter toxins from your blood, potentially leading to liver failure.
Why you should consider chiro therapy for your back pain
You should consider chiro therapy to treat back pain since it offers a drug-free approach for pain relief, mobility improvement, and address the cause of the said ailment by fixing spinal subluxation. Additionally, it can also enhance nervous system function, which in turn can improve sleep quality and overall wellness.
Some of the other notable benefits of chiro therapy for back pain are as follows:
- Safe and effective treatment
- Prevention of future issues
- Personalized treatment plans
- Better posture
Safe and Effective Treatment Chiro therapy provides long-term relief without the serious health risks of pain medications, including heart attack, stroke, stomach bleeding, or organ damage.
Prevention of future issues. Regular chiropractic visits monitor your spine’s health and catch potential problems before they become painful, while strengthening exercises and ergonomic guidance help you avoid future injuries.
Personalized treatment plans. Unlike one-size-fits-all medications, chiropractors develop customized treatment plans based on your specific condition, medical history, and lifestyle. Your progress is monitored closely, with treatments adjusted as you heal to ensure the best possible results.
Better posture. Chiro therapy corrects spinal alignment to improve your posture, reducing strain on your back and neck while giving you more energy throughout the day. Better posture not only decreases pain but also boosts your confidence and mental well-being.
Mefenamic acid vs chiropractic: Which is better for back pain?
For back pain, chiropractic care fixes the actual problem in your spine that’s causing the pain, helping you feel better for the long term without the side effects that come with taking medicine. Mefenamic acid only stops the pain temporarily without solving what’s really wrong, and it can cause stomach problems and other health risks.
Check the table below for reference:
| Aspect | Mefenamic acid | Chiro therapy |
| Primary purpose | Short‑term pharmacologic pain relief by reducing inflammation and pain signaling. | Hands‑on, non‑pharmacologic management aiming to improve joint function, reduce muscle tension, and address mechanical contributors to back pain. |
| Onset and duration | Often starts working within hours; suitable for acute flares but not designed for long‑term continuous use. | Benefits typically build over several sessions; effects may persist beyond individual visits, especially with exercises and lifestyle changes. |
| Addresses root cause? | No; mainly masks pain and inflammation, does not correct posture, muscle imbalance, or spinal dysfunction. | Aims to influence underlying biomechanical issues, posture, and movement patterns contributing to pain. |
| Side‑effect profile | GI bleeding, kidney and liver injury, cardiovascular events, allergic reactions, especially with prolonged/high‑dose use. | Mostly transient soreness or stiffness after treatment; serious adverse events are rare when appropriately screened. |
| Best use case | Short course for acute pain under medical supervision, when no contraindications exist. | Part of a multimodal plan (exercise, education, ergonomics) for acute or chronic low back pain, especially when patients wish to minimize long‑term medication use. |
Choose Long-Term Relief Over Temporary Solutions
Back pain affects millions of Filipinos every day, and while reaching for mefenamic acid might seem like the quickest solution, it’s important to understand what you’re actually getting, and what you’re risking.
With regard to treatment, the choice is clear: you can take medication that only works temporarily and potentially harm your health, or you can address the actual problem in your spine and enjoy long-term relief. With chiropractic care, you’re not just treating pain. You’re investing in better posture, improved mobility, and overall wellness that will benefit you for years to come.
At Posture Perfect Chiropractic, we understand how debilitating back pain can be, and we’re here to help you find lasting relief without the risks of medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most references recommend taking mefenamic acid only for short courses, typically no more than about 7 days, unless your doctor advises otherwise. Longer or frequent use increases the chance of stomach bleeding, kidney problems, liver injury, and cardiovascular events.
If your back pain keeps returning, lasts more than a few weeks, or limits your daily activities, a chiropractor or other musculoskeletal specialist can assess posture, movement, and joint function rather than just the pain. Non‑drug care is especially helpful if you want to reduce your reliance on pain medications or cannot safely take NSAIDs.
Some people are able to reduce or avoid ongoing pain medication use by combining chiropractic care with exercise, education, and healthy lifestyle changes, especially for mechanical low back pain. Others may still need short‑term medicines for flares, but these are used as a complement, not the main treatment.
