No longer the ‘preferred’ term
for back pain that lingers following 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’. 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 lead to more
tiredness and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Fortunately, there is hope for those who suffer from
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. New
studies have demonstrated that using chiropractic spinal
manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively decrease
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’s most common in lumbar spine surgery and deemed
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery because of the speed at
which neuropathic pain sets in. (1)
Hollstrom & Associates Inc has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Hollstrom & Associates Inc uses evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. One chiropractic
study reported on 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) lowered
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 reacted with more than 50% relief of
pain at the end of care (mean: 49 days, 11
treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% still had their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the finish 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
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?
Hollstrom & Associates Inc 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 recently researchers have started
analyzing its potential as a form of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular
acupressure decreased both pain and neurological symptoms
of PSPS. Researchers described
it as an effective, safe, cost-effective,
non-invasive intervention that can improve pain, neuropathy, and
sleep in PSPS patients. (1) Well, you can’t go wrong with those
outcomes! Largo post back surgery continued pain patients
would certainly appreciate 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 Hollstrom & Associates Inc
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating,
but it doesn’t have to keep you up
all night or bother you as much. If you are dealing with post-surgical back pain
or poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your
Largo chiropractic appointment with Hollstrom & Associates Inc today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!