Williamson Chiropractic Help for Persistent Pain After Back Surgery
No longer the ‘favored’ descriptor for back pain that remains 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’. Whatever its called, 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 getting a good night’s rest, which can result in more fatigue and lack of productivity throughout the day. Fortunately, there is hope for those who suffer from persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. Recent studies have shown that using chiropractic spinal manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively decrease back pain and enhance the quality of sleep.
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 deemed ‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1) Apple Country Chiropractic has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Apple Country Chiropractic 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 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 decreased by 4.1 out of 10 in a mean number of 14 treatments. Patients who underwent back surgeries that blended surgical types (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% still had their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the end 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?
Apple Country Chiropractic 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 a long time, but lately researchers have begun evaluating its potential as a form of treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular acupressure decreased 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! Williamson post back surgery continued pain patients would surely welcome them. Another study showed that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing pain and improving the sleep of elderly osteoarthritic persons residing in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Back pain after back surgery can be irritating, but it doesn’t have to keep you awake all night or trouble you as intensely. If you are dealing with post-surgical back pain or poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your Williamson chiropractic appointment with Apple Country Chiropractic soon to explore how chiropractic can help you!