Murfreesboro Chiropractic Help for Persistent Pain After Back Surgery
No longer the ‘preferred’ term for back pain that lingers following a back surgery that was intended to alleviate it, failed back surgery syndrome has new names like ‘post-surgical continued pain’ and ‘persistent spinal pain syndrome’. Despite its name, if you have had back surgery and still experience back pain, you know how the pain can take over your life, day and night. For many, this means not being able to get a good night’s rest, which can result in more fatigue and lack of productivity throughout the day. Fortunately, there is hope for those who suffer from persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. New studies have shown that using chiropractic spinal manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively reduce back pain and enhance sleep quality.
WHAT IS PSPS - Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome?
PSPS is defined as persistent, new, or recurrent low back with or without lower extremity (radicular pain for 10%-40% of patients) pain after at least one or more back surgeries. It’s most common in lumbar spine surgery and considered ‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery because of the speed at which neuropathic pain sets in. (1) Most Chiropractic Clinic has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Most Chiropractic Clinic uses evidence-based, well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. One chiropractic study reported on 32 cases of post-surgical continued lumbar spine pain post-back surgery who were managed with (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation and mobilization. Relief was measured by numerical pain scale scores (0/no pain to 10/worst pain) and dropped 4.1 out of 10 in a mean number of 14 treatments. Patients who experienced back surgeries that blended surgical approaches (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) lowered even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) An additional study of 69 cases treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction documented that 81% of patients reacted with greater than 50% relief of pain at the end of care (mean: 49 days, 11 treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% continued with their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the end of the treatment period was 71.6% and 70% at 2-year follow-up. (3) Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Byron Folwell on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for post-back-surgery-continued back pain patients.
A HELPFUL ADJUNCTIVE APPROACH: WHAT IS AURICULAR ACUPRESSURE?
Most Chiropractic Clinic welcomes effective non-surgical means to help our chiropractic patients get that extra edge of relief. Auricular acupressure is such an approach in which pressure is applied to particular points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time, but lately researchers have begun analyzing its potential as a form of treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular acupressure lowered both pain and neurological symptoms associated with PSPS. Researchers said it was an effective, safe, cost-effective, non-invasive intervention that can improve pain, neuropathy, and sleep in PSPS patients. (1) Well, you can’t argue with those outcomes! Murfreesboro post back surgery continued pain patients would surely welcome them. Another study showed that auricular acupressure was effective in lessening pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons living in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Most Chiropractic Clinic
Back pain after back surgery can be irritating, but it does not have to keep you awake all night or trouble you as intensely. If PSPS is your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your Murfreesboro chiropractic appointment with Most Chiropractic Clinic soon to explore how chiropractic can help you!