1. Tylenol (acetaminophen)

Tylenol is the most frequently used pain reliever on the market. It can be taken for short-term relief when you have mild or moderate back or neck pain. It helps muscle-related back pain and/or arthritis. Tylenol works by affecting the central nervous system, reducing the amount of the brain chemical that excites pain signals. It also exerts a cooling effect by inhibiting the prostaglandins that play a role in the brain's heat regulating center. But if you have liver problems, or if you consume a lot of alcohol, you should tread carefully when it comes to Tylenol. It is very easy to take too much of this drug, which can result in serious or fatal liver toxicity.

2. Aspirin

The active ingredient in aspirin has helped to relieve pain for centuries. As an NSAID, aspirin not only reduces back or neck pain, it also plays a role in containing the inflammation itself. Aspirin works by holding back the production of prostaglandins, short lived chemicals in the body that are responsible for inflammation and pain. Believe it or not, aspirin can have serious side effects, although this is rare for most people. Side effects of aspirin might include stomach problems and cardiovascular events. As with any drug, it pays to be informed about aspirin, including how to store it, when to take it, when to stop taking it and how it works to relieve pain.

3. Motrin, Advil, Nuprin -- Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is taken to reduce pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness experienced by people with arthritis. It is also used to quell the pain of back strain and muscle aches. Like aspirin, ibuprofen is an NSAID, which means it not only reduces back or neck pain but plays a role in containing the disease process (inflammation) itself. As an NSAID, side effects of this drug might include stomach problems and cardiovascular events. Drugs with ibuprofen as their active ingredient inhibit the production of prostaglandins, and therefore inflammation and pain. As with any drug, it pays to be informed about how and when take it, when to stop taking it and how it works to relieve pain.

4. Aleve

Aleve is an ">NSAID that can be used to relieve pain and decrease inflammation. Naproxen, its active ingredient, can also be obtained via prescription. Research shows that naproxen is effective in reducing the pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness experienced by people with both inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis. This includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. People with back pain can also use Aleve for muscle strain and other ailments. Aleve works largely by inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins. As an NSAID, side effects of Aleve could include stomach problems and cardiovascular events, both of which could be very serious.

5.Cortaid

Generic Name: hydrocortisone topical (hye droe KOR ti sone)
Brand Names: Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalp HP, Aquanil HC, Beta HC, Caldecort, Cortaid, Cortaid Intensive Therapy, Cortaid Maximum Strength, Cortaid with Aloe, Cortalo with Aloe, Corticaine, Cortizone for Kids, Cortizone-10, Cortizone-10 Intensive Healing Formula, Cortizone-10 Plus, Cortizone-5, Dermarest Dricort, Dermarest Eczema Medicated, Dermarest Plus Anti-Itch, Dermtex HC, Genasone/Aloe, Gly-Cort, Gynecort Maximum Strength, Hycort, Hydrocortisone 1% In Absorbase, Hydrocortisone with Aloe, Hydrocortisone-Aloe, Hytone, Instacort, Itch-X Lotion, Locoid, Locoid Lipocream, Locoid Lotion, Massengill Medicated Soft Cloth, MD Hydrocortisone, Neutrogena T-Scalp, NuCort with Aloe, NuZon, Pandel, Recort Plus, Rederm, Sarnol-HC, Scalacort, Texacort, U-Cort, Westcort.

Hydrocortisone is a topical steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.Hydrocortisone topical is used to treat inflammation of the skin caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, or psoriasis.

6. cortisone

Injectable cortisone is synthetically produced and has many different trade names (e.g. Celestone, Kenalog, etc.), but is a close derivative of your body's own product. The most significant differences are that synthetic cortisone is not injected into the blood stream, but into a particular area of inflammation. Also, the synthetic cortisone is designed to act more potently and for a longer period of time (days instead of minutes).