No longer the ‘favored’ descriptor
for back pain that hangs around after a
back surgery that was supposed 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 take
over your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting a good night’s rest, which can result in further
fatigue and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Fortunately, there is hope for those who have
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. Recent
studies have demonstrated 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 identified 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 deemed
‘chronic’ at 3-months after spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office 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 managed
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 experienced back surgeries that blended
surgical approaches (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) reduced
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) An additional 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 care (mean: 49 days, 11
treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% continued
with their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the finish 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
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?
Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office 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 particular
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but lately researchers have started
evaluating its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study revealed that auricular
acupressure lowered both pain and neurological symptoms
associated with PSPS. Researchers said it was 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! Groton post back surgery continued pain patients
would certainly welcome them. Another study found
that auricular acupressure was effective in lessening
pain and improving the sleep of elderly osteoarthritic persons residing
in nursing homes. (4) Old and young alike, we all could
use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
Back pain after back surgery can be irritating,
but it doesn’t have to keep you from sleeping or trouble you as much. If PSPS is
your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your
Groton chiropractic appointment with Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office soon
to explore how chiropractic can help you!