Opioids are in the news. The Vancouver opioid
epidemic is a great issue. Opioids are
prescribed for pain relief of all types of pain. Opioids for back
pain relief are common. But today, non-drug
alternatives are wanted. Non-drug alternative care like Vancouver
chiropractic care relieves the Vancouver back
pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often without bad side-effects.
DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY
Pharmacological treatment possibilities
– drugs – for reducing chronic low back pain are of much interest today. Researchers study
these and other alternatives as to what is best to
comfort Vancouver 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 reported
that electroacupuncture proved to be more cost effective than NSAIDs
and suggested as an alternative for chronic low back pain treatment. (2) A third
wrote 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) Vancouver Disc Centers cares for many Vancouver
back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Vancouver
chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
Vancouver 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 require
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 took
opioids off and off; 9.1% discontinued using them or used 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% consumed
a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term users of
opioids. The researchers inferred that lumbar spine
fusion seldom interrupted
the long-term opioid use and actually intensified the risk of taking
them long-term. (4) Vancouver Disc Centers offers Vancouver chiropractic care
both pre-operatively and post-operatively to manage Vancouver
back pain and for some prevent Vancouver back surgery.
OPTIONS TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for Vancouver back pain
patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid
alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are
considered. First and foremost education and reassurance that Vancouver
back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The Vancouver low
back pain sufferer can learn
more about self-care options. For acute
low back pain and neck pain patients without
any concerning underlying 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 suggested
due to research disclosing uselessness.
(5) Vancouver Disc Centers offers Vancouver chiropractic care including Cox
Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented
to be successful for Vancouver back pain relief.
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
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 Vancouver chiropractic appointment
with Vancouver Disc Centers today. The opioid epidemic may be limited for
Vancouver back pain sufferers who choose Vancouver
chiropractic care at Vancouver Disc Centers…and chiropractic may develop into being the opioid-alternative news!