No longer the ‘preferred’ word
for back pain that remains 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 have 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 lead to more
fatigue and lack of productivity during the
day. Fortunately, there is hope for those who have
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. Recent
studies have indicated that using chiropractic spinal
manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively reduce
back pain and improve the quality of sleep.
WHAT IS PSPS - Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome?
PSPS is identified 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 deemed
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery because of the speed at
which neuropathic pain sets in. (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 reported on 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) decreased
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) Another study of 69 cases
treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction documented that 81% of
patients reacted 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 2-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 help our
chiropractic patients get that extra edge of relief. Auricular acupressure is
such an approach in which pressure is used on specific
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a
long time, but recently researchers have started
analyzing its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study revealed that auricular
acupressure reduced both pain and neurological symptoms
related to PSPS. Researchers described
it as 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 appreciate them. Another study found
that auricular acupressure was effective in decreasing
pain and improving the sleep of elderly osteoarthritic persons living
in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating,
but it does not have to keep you from sleeping or trouble you as much. If you are dealing with post-surgical back pain
or poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your
Sitka chiropractic appointment with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!