Fort Wayne Chiropractic Help for Persistent Pain After Back Surgery
No longer the ‘desired’ term for back pain that lingers following 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 experienced 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 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. New studies have shown that using chiropractic spinal manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively reduce back pain and improve sleep quality.
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 post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1) Aaron Chiropractic Clinic has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Aaron Chiropractic Clinic 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 post-back surgery who were treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation and mobilization. Relief was rated 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) 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 the treatment period (mean: 49 days, 11 treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% continued with 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 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?
Aaron Chiropractic Clinic appreciates effective non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. 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 begun studying its potential as a form of treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study revealed that auricular acupressure lowered both pain and neurological symptoms related to PSPS. Researchers said it was 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! Fort Wayne post back surgery continued pain patients would surely welcome them. Another study found that auricular acupressure was effective in lessening pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons living in nursing homes. (4) Old and young alike, we all could use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating, but it does not have to keep you up all night or trouble you as much. If PSPS is your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, schedule your Fort Wayne chiropractic appointment with Aaron Chiropractic Clinic soon to explore how chiropractic can help you!