Montreal Chiropractic Help for Persistent Pain After Back Surgery
No longer the ‘desired’ descriptor for back pain that lingers after 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 had back surgery and still experience back pain, you know how the pain can alter your life, day and night. For many, this means not being able to get a good night’s rest, which can lead to more tiredness and lack of productivity during 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 improve the quality of sleep.
WHAT IS PSPS - Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome?
PSPS is described 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 after spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1) Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic implements 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 managed with (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation and mobilization. Relief was rated 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 underwent back surgeries that combined 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 reacted with greater 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 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?
Dr. Hoang's 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 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 found that auricular acupressure reduced both pain and neurological symptoms of 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! Montreal post back surgery continued pain patients would surely appreciate them. Another study found that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing pain and improving the sleep of elderly osteoarthritic persons living in nursing homes. (4) Old and young alike, we all could use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating, but it does not 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, schedule your Montreal chiropractic appointment with Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic soon to explore how chiropractic can help you!