No longer the ‘preferred’ descriptor
for back pain that lingers after a
back surgery that was intended to ease 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 alter your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting a good night’s rest, which can lead to further
tiredness and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Luckily, 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 sleep quality.
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. It
is most common in lumbar spine surgery and considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
Amelia Chiropractic Clinic has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Amelia Chiropractic Clinic uses evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. A 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 had back surgeries that blended
surgical types (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 reported that 81% of
patients responded with greater than 50% relief of
pain at the end of care (mean: 49 days, 11
treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% still experienced their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the end of the treatment
period was 71.6% and 70% at two-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?
Amelia 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 applied to specific
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a
long time, but recently researchers have begun
studying its potential as a form of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study revealed that auricular
acupressure reduced both pain and neurological symptoms
associated with PSPS. Researchers described
it as an effective, safe, cost-effective,
non-invasive intervention that may well improve pain, neuropathy, and
sleep in PSPS patients. (1) Well, you can’t go wrong with those
outcomes! Fernandina Beach post back surgery continued pain patients
would certainly 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) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
Back pain after back surgery can be irritating,
but it doesn’t have to keep you awake
all night or bother you as intensely. If you are dealing with post-surgical back pain
or poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your
Fernandina Beach chiropractic appointment with Amelia Chiropractic Clinic soon
to explore how chiropractic can help you!