No longer the ‘preferred’ term
for back pain that hangs around 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 had back surgery
and still experience back pain, you know how the pain can cloud your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting a good night’s rest, which can result in more
tiredness and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Luckily, there is hope for those who suffer from
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. New
studies have indicated 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. PSPS is most common in lumbar spine surgery and deemed
‘chronic’ at 3-months after spine surgery because of the speed at
which neuropathic pain sets in. (1)
Manahawkin Chiropractic Center has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Manahawkin Chiropractic Center implements evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. One chiropractic
study related the outcomes of 32 cases of post-surgical
continued lumbar spine pain post-back surgery who were managed
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 experienced back surgeries that combined
surgical approaches (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) decreased
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) An additional study of 69 cases
treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction documented that 81% of
patients reacted with more 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 finish 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
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?
Manahawkin Chiropractic Center welcomes effective
non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. Auricular acupressure is
such an approach in which pressure is applied to specific
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but recently researchers have begun
analyzing its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular
acupressure decreased both pain and neurological symptoms
related to 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! Manahawkin post back surgery continued pain patients
would surely welcome them. Another study found
that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing
pain and improving the sleep of elderly osteoarthritic persons residing
in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating,
but it doesn’t 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
Manahawkin chiropractic appointment with Manahawkin Chiropractic Center today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!