Opioids are in the news. The Sandy Springs opioid
epidemic is a big worry. 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 in demand. Non-drug alternative care like Sandy Springs
chiropractic care eases the Sandy Springs back
pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often without bad side-effects.
DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY
Pharmacological treatment options
– drugs – for reducing chronic low back pain are the focus of
much attention today. Researchers investigate
these and other options as to what works best to
assist Sandy Springs back pain patients. The
effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on
chronic low back pain are difficult to predict. One
article proposed that patients who are more sensitive to hot
and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another stated
that electroacupuncture was 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) Cross Chiropractic Center cares for many Sandy Springs
back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Sandy Springs
chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
Sandy Springs chronic low back pain leads
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 took 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 stopped
the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of using
them long-term. (4) Cross Chiropractic Center offers Sandy Springs chiropractic care
both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce Sandy Springs
back pain and for some prevent Sandy Springs back surgery.
ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for Sandy Springs back pain
patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid
alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are
considered. One of the
first things to do is educate and reassure the patient that Sandy Springs back
pain relief is possible and to remain active. The Sandy Springs low
back pain sufferer can learn
more about self-care options. For acute
low back pain and neck pain patients without
any concerning causal issue, exercise, manual
therapy, heat and NSAIDs are suggested. For chronic low back
pain sufferers without serious underlying
issues, exercise, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback,
relaxation, massage, manual therapy, rehab, NSAIDS, acetaminophen and
antidepressants are recommended. 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 recommended
because of research disclosing ineffectiveness.
(5) Cross Chiropractic Center offers Sandy Springs chiropractic care including Cox
Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented
to be effective for Sandy Springs back pain relief.
CONTACT Cross Chiropractic Center
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 Sandy Springs chiropractic appointment
with Cross Chiropractic Center today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for
Sandy Springs back pain sufferers who come for Sandy Springs
chiropractic care at Cross Chiropractic Center…and chiropractic may develop into being the opioid-alternative news!