No longer the ‘favored’ term
for back pain that hangs around after a
back surgery that was supposed to relieve it,
failed back surgery syndrome has new names like ‘post-surgical continued pain’
and ‘persistent spinal pain syndrome’. Whatever its
name, if you have undergone back surgery
and still experience back pain, you know how the pain can cloud your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting a good night’s rest, which can result in more
fatigue and lack of productivity during the
day. Luckily, there is hope for those who suffer from
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. Recent
studies have indicated that using chiropractic spinal
manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively reduce
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. It
is most common with lumbar spine surgery and considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic 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 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 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 the treatment period (mean: 49 days, 11
treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% still had their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the end of the treatment
period was 71.6% and 70% at 2-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?
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic appreciates effective
non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. Auricular acupressure is
such an approach in which pressure is applied to particular
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but recently researchers have begun
studying its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found 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 argue with those
outcomes! McHenry post back surgery continued pain patients
would surely welcome them. Another study showed
that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing
pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons living
in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
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
McHenry chiropractic appointment with OrthoIllinois Chiropractic today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!