No longer the ‘desired’ descriptor
for back pain that hangs around 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’. Despite its name, if you have experienced 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 result in more
tiredness and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Luckily, there is hope for those who suffer from
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 improve 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 considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
Pflugerville Wellness Center has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Pflugerville Wellness Center implements 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 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 dropped 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 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% 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?
Pflugerville Wellness Center 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 a
long time, but recently researchers have begun
analyzing its potential as a form of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study revealed 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! Pflugerville post back surgery continued pain patients
would surely appreciate them. Another study showed
that auricular acupressure was effective in decreasing
pain and improving the sleep of elderly osteoarthritic persons residing
in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Pflugerville Wellness Center
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
Pflugerville chiropractic appointment with Pflugerville Wellness Center soon
to explore how chiropractic can help you!