No longer the ‘preferred’ term
for back pain that remains after 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’. Whatever its
name, if you have had back surgery
and still have back pain, you know how the pain can alter your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting a good night’s rest, which can lead to more
tiredness and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Fortunately, there is hope for those who have
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. New
studies have shown that using chiropractic spinal
manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively reduce
back pain and enhance the quality of sleep.
WHAT IS PSPS - Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome?
PSPS is described 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 after spine surgery because of the speed at
which neuropathic pain sets in. (1)
Most Chiropractic Clinic has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Most Chiropractic Clinic uses evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. One chiropractic
study reported on 32 cases of post-surgical
continued lumbar spine pain after back surgery who were treated
with (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation and mobilization. Relief
was measured 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 had back surgeries that blended
surgical types (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) decreased
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) An additional study of 69 cases
treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction documented 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% still experienced 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
describes The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management
for post-back-surgery-continued back pain patients.
A HELPFUL ADJUNCTIVE APPROACH: WHAT IS AURICULAR
ACUPRESSURE?
Most Chiropractic Clinic appreciates 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 centuries, but recently researchers have begun
evaluating its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular
acupressure lowered both pain and neurological symptoms
associated with 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! Murfreesboro post back surgery continued pain patients
would surely welcome them. Another study found
that auricular acupressure was effective in decreasing
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 Most Chiropractic Clinic
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating,
but it does not have to keep you from sleeping or trouble you as intensely. If PSPS is
your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your
Murfreesboro chiropractic appointment with Most Chiropractic Clinic today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!