Opioids are in the news. The Sitka opioid
epidemic is a great concern. Opioids are
prescribed for pain relief of all sorts of pain. Opioids for back
pain relief are a common prescription. But today, non-drug
alternatives are in demand. Non-drug alternative care like Sitka
chiropractic care relieves the Sitka back
pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often without bad side-effects.
DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY
Pharmacological treatment possibilities
– drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are of much interest today. Researchers scrutinize
these and other options 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 react better to imipramine. (1) Another described
that electroacupuncture proved to be 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 guides
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 require
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 used
opioids off and off; 9.1% discontinued using them or used them for a
short time after surgery. Of patients who had not took
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 users of
opioids. The researchers inferred that lumbar spine
fusion infrequently 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. One of the
first things to do is educate and reassure the patient that Sitka back
pain relief is possible and to remain active. The Sitka low
back pain sufferer can learn
more about self-care options. For acute
low back pain and neck pain patients who do not have
any concerning underlying issue, exercise, manual
therapy, heat and NSAIDs are suggested. 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 suggested. 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
due to 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 relieves back pain for his performing arts
patients without drugs so they can continue performing!
Schedule your Sitka chiropractic appointment
with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka today. The opioid epidemic may be limited for
Sitka back pain sufferers who come for Sitka
chiropractic care at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka…and chiropractic may turn out to
be the opioid-alternative news!