It does cause back pain, but few of the patients in the study needed narcotic painkillers to control their pain.

He needed food and sleep and painkillers.

I couldn't believe I'd need painkillers, but I tucked the envelope in my handbag.

Seven years later, at 68, he still uses a cane and occasionally needs painkillers.

One study found that women who took it needed fewer painkillers.

The idea was born when a friend joked about needing painkillers while playing Ultimate Frisbee.

And other scientists found that patients recovering from spinal surgery in sunny rooms needed 22 per cent less painkillers than those in dark ones.

But many people need more powerful opioid painkillers, such as:

Dying people often need powerful painkillers.

If severe, this can affect swallowing, and the patient may need painkillers and nutritional support/food supplements.