EFFECTIVENESS OF BETA-BLOCKERS IN ALLEVIATING LOW BACK PAIN AND REDUCING NSAID USAGE AMONG ATHLETES WITH LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

Study Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of beta-blocker use on pain reduction and decreased NSAID consumption among athletes with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 117 athletes diagnosed with LDH-induced hyperalgesia were analyzed. Participants were categorized based on their hypertensive status and antihypertensive drug usage into three groups: hypertensive athletes treated with beta-blockers (HBU), hypertensive athletes treated with non-beta-blockers (HNB), and non-hypertensive athletes not using beta-blockers (NH). Results: The study found significant differences in pain management outcomes among the groups. Athletes in the HBU group reported lower pain levels as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) compared to their counterparts in the other groups (P<0.05). Similarly, NSAID usage was markedly lower in the HBU group, suggesting an effective alternative to traditional pain management strategies (P<0.05). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), which assesses functional disability, also indicated better functional outcomes in the HBU group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The use of beta-blockers is associated with significant pain relief and reduced NSAID dependency in athletes with LDH, presenting a promising pharmacological approach to managing spinal pain in this population. These findings advocate for the consideration of beta-blockers in the therapeutic regimens for athlete-specific pain management strategies.