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Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?

Opioids are in the news. The Carrolltown opioid epidemic is a big item. Opioids are prescribed for pain relief of all sorts of pain. Opioids for back pain relief are a common prescription. But today, non-drug alternatives are wanted. Non-drug alternative care like Carrolltown chiropractic care eases the Carrolltown back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often devoid of adverse side-effects.

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment preferences – drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are the focus of much attention today. Researchers investigate these and other options as to what works best to assist Carrolltown back pain patients. The effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on chronic low back pain are difficult to foresee. One article suggested that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold react better to imipramine. (1) Another reported that electroacupuncture proved to be more cost effective than NSAIDs and suggested as an alternative for chronic low back pain treatment. (2) A third explained that most drugs - paracetamol (acetaminophen), NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, and other (new) drugs - offered small to moderate and short lasting effects compared with placebo. And there were side-effects. (3) Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation cares for many Carrolltown back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Carrolltown chiropractic care is helpful for most.

DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY

Carrolltown chronic low back pain guides some sufferers to lumbar spine fusion surgery. Patients who choose this option to get relief of with their back pain often take opioids prior to surgery hoping – even expecting – that they will not need opioids after the surgery. Reality is different. 77.1% of pre-operative opioid patients continued to use opioids long-term post-operatively: 13.8% of them used opioids off and off; 9.1% discontinued using them or used them for a short time after surgery. Of patients who hadn’t used opioids before surgery, 34.4% used a lower dose after surgery, and 44.8% took a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term users of opioids. The researchers inferred that lumbar spine fusion hardly ever ended the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of taking them long-term. (4) Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation offers Carrolltown chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to relieve Carrolltown back pain and for some prevent Carrolltown back surgery.

ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN

What are the options for Carrolltown back pain patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are considered. First and foremost education and reassurance that Carrolltown back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The Carrolltown low back pain sufferer would do well to learn more about how to care for pain on their own. For acute low back pain and neck pain patients without any concerning causal issue, exercise, manual therapy, heat and NSAIDs are recommended. For chronic low back pain sufferers who don’t present with serious underlying issues, exercise, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, relaxation, massage, manual therapy, rehab, NSAIDS, acetaminophen and antidepressants are suggested. Patients with radiculopathy (sciatic leg pain) can use exercise, spinal manipulation, or NSAIDS. Benzodiazepines, botulinum toxin injection, systemic corticosteroids, cervical collar, electrical muscle stimulation, diathermy, TENS and traction are not suggested due to research revealing uselessness. (5) Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation offers Carrolltown chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be successful for Carrolltown back pain relief.

CONTACT Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Roy Siegel on the Back Doctor’s Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares how Cox Technic reduces back pain for his performing arts patients without drugs so they can keep performing!

Schedule your Carrolltown chiropractic appointment with Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation today. The opioid epidemic may be limited for Carrolltown back pain sufferers who choose Carrolltown chiropractic care at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation…and chiropractic may develop into being the opioid-alternative news!

 
Pain control drugs like opioids aren’t always effective for Carrolltown back pain. Chiropractic is a beneficial alternative. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."