Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?
Opioids are in the news. The Sitka opioid epidemic is a great worry. Opioids are prescribed for pain relief of all sorts of pain. Opioids for back pain relief are common. But today, non-drug alternatives are wanted. Non-drug alternative care like Sitka chiropractic care relieves the Sitka back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often minus the adverse side-effects.
DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY
Pharmacological treatment preferences – drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are of much interest today. Researchers scrutinize these and other alternatives as to what is best to help Sitka back pain patients. The effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on chronic low back pain are difficult to foresee. One article suggested that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another reported that electroacupuncture was more cost effective than NSAIDs and suggested as an alternative for chronic low back pain treatment. (2) A third wrote that most drugs - paracetamol (acetaminophen), NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, and other (new) drugs - offered small to moderate and short lasting effects compared with placebo. And there were side-effects. (3) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka cares for many Sitka back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Sitka chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
Sitka chronic low back pain leads some sufferers to lumbar spine fusion surgery. Patients who choose this option to get relief of with their back pain often take opioids prior to surgery hoping – even expecting – that they will not need opioids after the surgery. Reality is different. 77.1% of pre-operative opioid patients continued to use opioids long-term post-operatively: 13.8% of them took opioids off and off; 9.1% discontinued using them or took them for a short time after surgery. Of patients who had not used opioids before surgery, 34.4% used a lower dose after surgery, and 44.8% consumed a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term consumers of opioids. The researchers inferred that lumbar spine fusion seldom ended the long-term opioid use and actually intensified the risk of using them long-term. (4) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka offers Sitka chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce Sitka back pain and for some prevent Sitka back surgery.
OPTIONS TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for Sitka back pain patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are considered. First and foremost education and reassurance that Sitka back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The Sitka low back pain sufferer can learn more about self-care options. For acute low back pain and neck pain patients without any concerning causal issue, exercise, manual therapy, heat and NSAIDs are recommended. For chronic low back pain sufferers who do not present with serious underlying issues, exercise, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, relaxation, massage, manual therapy, rehab, NSAIDS, acetaminophen and antidepressants are recommended. Patients with radiculopathy (sciatic leg pain) can use exercise, spinal manipulation, or NSAIDS. Benzodiazepines, botulinum toxin injection, systemic corticosteroids, cervical collar, electrical muscle stimulation, diathermy, TENS and traction are not suggested because of research disclosing ineffectiveness. (5) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka offers Sitka chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be effective for Sitka back pain relief.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Roy Siegel on the Back Doctor’s Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares how Cox Technic reduces back pain for his performing arts patients without drugs so they can keep performing!
Schedule your Sitka chiropractic appointment with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for Sitka back pain sufferers who choose Sitka chiropractic care at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka…and chiropractic may become the opioid-alternative news!
