Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Doctors and medical experts are always looking for alternatives to opioids when it comes to managing chronic pain, and a new study suggests that a common sleep aid may prove beneficial.

According to researchers, melatonin may be an effective option for patients working to overcome chronic musculoskeletal pain. For the study, researchers analyzed 2028 adults across 23 randomized controlled trials conducted all over the world in places like the US, Russia, Egypt, China and Brazil. Participants were suffering from issues like low back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and lingering discomfort following joint replacement or spinal surgeries. On average, researchers found that melatonin reduced chronic pain scores by around nine points on a 0-100 scale, with more rigorous trials showing reductions closer to 10 points, which is similar in magnitude to widely used pain medications.

Melatonin And Pain Control

So did melatonin directly influence chronic pain levels, or were other factors at play? Researchers found that melatonin also helped improve sleep quality in patients, reinforcing the well-established link between sleep quality and pain tolerance.

“For many patients, pain doesn’t exist in isolation and is closely tied to poor sleep,” said study lead author and PhD student Hangchao Wu. “Melatonin appears to target both, which makes it particularly useful for people managing chronic pain.”

Wu believes that melatonin could be an effective alternative for some patients with chronic pain because it’s cheaper than prescription opioids and doesn’t carry the same addiction risk as more potent drugs.

“Melatonin is already in people’s homes, it’s inexpensive, and we know it’s safe,” said Wu. “What’s exciting is that melatonin may also help manage chronic pain, opening the door to reducing reliance on medications that come with more risks.”

Researchers said 3 mg of melatonin per day was the most commonly used dosage for participants dealing with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and 5-6 mg was the most common dosage for those combating postoperative discomfort. It was most commonly taken just before bed or an hour before sleep.

We’ve discussed the importance of quality sleep for patients battling chronic or persistent back pain, but we know that’s easier said than done. Perhaps melatonin could help reduce discomfort or make it easier to achieve this quality sleep, in turn reducing pain sensitivity and overall discomfort. At a minimum, it’s a low cost, low risk option that you can try on your own if you’re struggling to find relief with other options or you’re hesitant to push for an opioid prescription.

That said, remember that pain is rarely solved with passive treatments alone. Melatonin can be a piece of your treatment plan, but you’ll also want to pursue strengthening exercises and physical therapy to aid in functional improvement. Melatonin and all supplements work best as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes proactive and movement-based solutions.

For more information about the best way to overcome new or existing back pain, connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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