Sitka Chiropractic Help for Persistent Pain After Back Surgery
No longer the ‘desired’ descriptor for back pain that hangs around after a back surgery that was supposed to relieve it, failed back surgery syndrome has new names like ‘post-surgical continued pain’ and ‘persistent spinal pain syndrome’. Despite its name, if you have undergone 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 during the day. Luckily, there is hope for those who suffer from persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. New studies have demonstrated that using chiropractic spinal manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively decrease back pain and improve 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. PSPS is most common with lumbar spine surgery and considered ‘chronic’ at 3-months after spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka uses evidence-based, well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. One chiropractic study related the outcomes of 32 cases of post-surgical continued lumbar spine pain post-back surgery who were treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation and mobilization. Relief was rated 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) Another study of 69 cases treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction reported that 81% of patients responded with more than 50% relief of pain at the end of the treatment period (mean: 49 days, 11 treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% continued with their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the finish of the treatment period was 71.6% and 70% at two-year follow-up. (3) Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Byron Folwell on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for post-back-surgery-continued back pain patients.
A HELPFUL ADJUNCTIVE APPROACH: WHAT IS AURICULAR ACUPRESSURE?
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka welcomes effective non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. 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 centuries, but recently researchers have begun analyzing its potential as a type of treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular acupressure decreased 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! Sitka post back surgery continued pain patients would certainly welcome them. Another study found that auricular acupressure was effective in lowering pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons residing in nursing homes. (4) Old and young alike, we all could use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to keep you from sleeping or trouble you as much. If PSPS is your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your Sitka chiropractic appointment with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka today to explore how chiropractic can help you!