Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?

Opioids are in the news. The Fernandina Beach opioid epidemic is a big item. Opioids are prescribed for pain relief of all sorts of pain. Opioids for back pain relief are common. But today, non-drug alternatives are in demand. Non-drug alternative care like Fernandina Beach chiropractic care reduces the Fernandina Beach back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often without adverse side-effects.

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment options – drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are the focus of much attention today. Researchers scrutinize these and other options as to what works best to help Fernandina Beach back pain patients. The effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on chronic low back pain are hard to predict. One article proposed 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 reported 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) Amelia Chiropractic Clinic cares for many Fernandina Beach back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Fernandina Beach chiropractic care is helpful for most.

DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY

Fernandina Beach chronic low back pain leads some sufferers to lumbar spine fusion surgery. Patients who go this route to deal with their back pain often take opioids prior to surgery hoping – even expecting – that they will not need 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 took them for a short time after surgery. Of patients who hadn’t used 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 consumers of opioids. The researchers inferred that lumbar spine fusion seldom stopped the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of using them long-term. (4) Amelia Chiropractic Clinic offers Fernandina Beach chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to manage Fernandina Beach back pain and for some prevent Fernandina Beach back surgery.

ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN

What are the options for Fernandina Beach back pain patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are considered. First and foremost education and reassurance that Fernandina Beach back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The Fernandina Beach low back pain sufferer can learn more about self-care options. For acute low back pain and neck pain patients without any concerning causal issue, exercise, manual therapy, heat and NSAIDs are recommended. For chronic low back pain sufferers without serious underlying issues, exercise, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, relaxation, massage, manual therapy, rehab, NSAIDS, acetaminophen and antidepressants are recommended. 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 recommended because of research disclosing ineffectiveness. (5) Amelia Chiropractic Clinic offers Fernandina Beach chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be successful for Fernandina Beach back pain relief.

CONTACT Amelia Chiropractic Clinic

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 Fernandina Beach chiropractic appointment with Amelia Chiropractic Clinic today. The opioid epidemic may be limited for Fernandina Beach back pain sufferers who choose Fernandina Beach chiropractic care at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic…and chiropractic may turn out to be the opioid-alternative news!

 
Pain control drugs like opioids aren’t always effective for Fernandina Beach back pain. Chiropractic is a beneficial alternative. 
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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."