No longer the ‘preferred’ descriptor
for back pain that lingers 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 experienced 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 lead to more
fatigue and lack of productivity during the
day. Luckily, 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 reduce
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. PSPS is most common in lumbar spine surgery and considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months after spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation implements evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. A chiropractic
study reported on 32 cases of post-surgical
continued lumbar spine pain post-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 combined
surgical types (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) lowered
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) Another 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 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
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?
Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 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 a
long time, but lately researchers have started
studying 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 can improve pain, neuropathy, and
sleep in PSPS patients. (1) Well, you can’t argue with those
outcomes! Carrolltown post back surgery continued pain patients
would certainly welcome them. Another study found
that auricular acupressure was effective in lowering
pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons residing
in nursing homes. (4) Old and young alike, we all could
use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating,
but it does not 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, schedule your
Carrolltown chiropractic appointment with Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation soon
to explore how chiropractic can help you!