No longer the ‘desired’ word
for back pain that remains after a
back surgery that was intended 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 have 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 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. Recent
studies have shown 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 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’s most common in lumbar spine surgery and considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery because of the speed at
which neuropathic pain sets in. (1)
Spinal Care Clinic has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Spinal Care Clinic 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 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 underwent back surgeries that blended
surgical types (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) reduced
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) Another study of 69 cases
treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction documented 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 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?
Spinal Care Clinic welcomes 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 specific
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but recently researchers have started
analyzing its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study revealed 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! Burlington and Hamilton post back surgery continued pain patients
would certainly welcome them. Another study showed
that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing
pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons residing
in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Spinal Care Clinic
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating,
but it does not have to keep you from sleeping or trouble you as intensely. If you are dealing with post-surgical back pain
or poor sleep quality due to PSPS, schedule your
Burlington and Hamilton chiropractic appointment with Spinal Care Clinic today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!