i agree - it can also work the other way too - i've had back pain of some sort constantly for many, many years. literally the only time i don't feel any pain, and feel like i think i should, is when i've had an injury & get to take vicoden, or hyrdocodone, (or have had some *really good* sex!) or some such. motrin, tylenol, advil, etc. does nothing for it, and after a while it just taints everything in your life with *suck*... i fully empathize with house's vicoden "addiction", although... no, i won't go there, it'll open another can of worms!