No longer the ‘preferred’ word
for back pain that lingers following a
back surgery that was intended to relieve it,
failed back surgery syndrome has new names like ‘post-surgical continued pain’
and ‘persistent spinal pain syndrome’. Despite its name, if you have undergone back surgery
and still experience back pain, you know how the pain can take
over your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting a good night’s rest, which can result in more
fatigue and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Luckily, there is hope for those who suffer from
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. Recent
studies have indicated that using chiropractic spinal
manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively decrease
back pain and enhance the quality of sleep.
WHAT IS PSPS - Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome?
PSPS is identified 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 with lumbar spine surgery and considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
Aaron Chiropractic Clinic has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Aaron Chiropractic Clinic implements evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. One chiropractic
study reported on 32 cases of post-surgical
continued lumbar spine pain after 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 underwent back surgeries that blended
surgical approaches (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) decreased
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) Another study of 69 cases
treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction documented 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% continued
with 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
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?
Aaron Chiropractic Clinic appreciates effective
non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. Auricular acupressure is
such an approach in which pressure is used on specific
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 described
it as 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! Fort Wayne post back surgery continued pain patients
would surely appreciate them. Another study found
that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing
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 Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
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
Fort Wayne chiropractic appointment with Aaron Chiropractic Clinic today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!