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Effectiveness of Opioids for Pain Control is Questionable while Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation is Recommended

The opioid epidemic. It’s in the news. Sitka does not2 escape the opioid issue. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka knows some Sitka chiropractic patients with Sitka back pain struggle with opioids that were, at one time, prescribed to assist them in coping with their back pain and now want to be done with them. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka understands and is ready to help Sitka back pain sufferers get relief without opioid drugs. The effectiveness of opioid drugs for control of Sitka back pain is questioned while spinal manipulation such as offered at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is suggested.

WHY OPIOIDS FOR BACK PAIN

Low back pain overwhelms its sufferers’ life. It is not a surprise that a back pain sufferer desires a pill to get rid of the pain, a Sitka back surgery to remove the pain’s source now.  Occasionally it is not that simple: the pill may have unwanted effects or the positive effects may not last very long; the surgery relief may not continue or resulted in an unexpected result. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka appreciates the role of drugs for pain relief when needed, admires the part back surgery plays in a Sitka back pain sufferer’s trip toward pain relief and a better quality of life. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka also offers coordinating care to those back pain relief choices and, for some Sitka back pain sufferers, back surgery prevention as well as post-back surgery rehab and Sitka back pain relief.

OPIOIDS’ ROLE IN BACK PAIN RELIEF

A recent Cochrane data review of randomized clinical trials on the effectiveness of opioids and other drugs for chronic low back pain concluded that the effectiveness is not very good. Opioids’ effects on pain reduction and function improvement are small to moderate and short-lasting compared to placebo. The side effects, serious ones for those who use strong opioids for a long time, were common. (1) Some patients react better to drug therapies than others. Researchers found it hard to determine just how effective drugs like oxycodone and clobazam and imipramine will be for which chronic low back pain patient. (2) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka understands the Sitka back pain patient who seeks for Sitka chiropractic care and sets the appropriate treatment plan to produce some back pain relief.

OPIOIDS AND BACK SURGERY

Patients opt for back surgery often seeking quick pain relief that will negate the need for pain control drugs. Researchers checked into this idea and found that many back pain sufferers who were took opioids before surgery expected that surgery would end the need for opioids. Reality shows that of 2491 adults who underwent lumbar fusion back surgery, 1045 used long-term opioids before surgery, and 1094 took opioids subsequently. Of the pre-operative opioid patients, 77.1% continued consuming them long-term, 13.8% occasionally, and just 9.1% discontinued or used them short-term subsequently. 34.4% continued with a lower dose, but 44.8% continued with a higher dose. Of those who didn’t use any opioids before back surgery, 12.8% became long-term users.  What was the bottom line? What do patients need to know who are considering Sitka back surgery as the ultimate solution to their Sitka back pain? Lumbar fusion back surgery seldom ended the long-term opioid use and increased the risk of starting their use afterwards.  Patient expectations of pain reduction and opioid use reduction demand reevaluation. (3)

ALTERNATIVES TO OPIOIDS FOR BACK PAIN RELIEF

Researchers work to develop guidelines for back pain relief treatment. These guidelines state that non-effective treatments should not be used (systemic corticosteroids, TENS, traction, electrical muscle stim, benozodiazepines, botulinum toxin injection, etc.) and recommend that clinicians coach and reassure patients, advise them to stay active and do self-care. Acute back pain patients can choose exercise, manual therapy, heat, and NSAIDS. Chronic back pain patients can use exercise, yoga, manual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, rehabilitation, etc. Radicular back pain patients may do exercise, spinal manipulation, NSAIDs.  (4) Sitka chiropractic care at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka  suits these guidelines. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka offers a Sitka chiropractic treatment plan of spinal manipulation with Cox Technic, exercise, rehab, and more.

CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka

Schedule you Sitka chiropractic appointment now with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka. Opioids are not the only way to deal with Sitka back pain, particularly Sitka chronic low back pain. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka offers hope for chronic low back pain relief to Sitka back pain sufferers wanting to avoid or escape the opioid epidemic.

 
Chiropractic spinal manipulation at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is worthwhile over opioids for back pain control. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."