No longer the ‘desired’ term
for back pain that hangs around after a
back surgery that was intended to ease it,
failed back surgery syndrome has new names like ‘post-surgical continued pain’
and ‘persistent spinal pain syndrome’. Despite its name, if you have had back surgery
and still have back pain, you know how the pain can alter your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting 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 suffer from
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. New
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 defined 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)
Cross Chiropractic Center has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Cross Chiropractic Center uses evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. A chiropractic
study related the outcomes of 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 rated 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 underwent back surgeries that blended
surgical approaches (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 reported that 81% of
patients reacted with greater than 50% relief of
pain at the end of care (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 two-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?
Cross Chiropractic Center appreciates 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 particular
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but recently researchers have begun
evaluating its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found 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 go wrong with those
outcomes! Sandy Springs post back surgery continued pain patients
would certainly welcome them. Another study showed
that auricular acupressure was effective in decreasing
pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons living
in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Cross Chiropractic Center
Back pain after back surgery can be irritating,
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, make your
Sandy Springs chiropractic appointment with Cross Chiropractic Center today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!