No longer the ‘desired’ descriptor
for back pain that lingers following a
back surgery that was supposed to alleviate it,
failed back surgery syndrome has new names like ‘post-surgical continued pain’
and ‘persistent spinal pain syndrome’. Whatever its
name, if you have experienced 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 further
fatigue and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Fortunately, there is hope for those who have
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. New
studies have demonstrated that using chiropractic spinal
manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively decrease
back pain and improve 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’s most common with lumbar spine surgery and considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
Vancouver Disc Centers has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Vancouver Disc Centers 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 after back surgery who were managed
with (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation and mobilization. Relief
was measured by numerical pain scale scores (0/no pain to 10/worst
pain) and decreased by 4.1 out of 10 in a mean number of 14
treatments. Patients who experienced back surgeries that blended
surgical types (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 documented that 81% of
patients reacted with greater than 50% relief of
pain at the end of the treatment period (mean: 49 days, 11
treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% still experienced 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?
Vancouver Disc Centers 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 recently researchers have started
analyzing its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study revealed that auricular
acupressure decreased both pain and neurological symptoms
related to 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 go wrong with those
outcomes! Vancouver post back surgery continued pain patients
would surely welcome them. Another study showed
that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing
pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons living
in nursing homes. (4) Old and young alike, we all could
use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
Back pain after back surgery can be irritating,
but it doesn’t have to keep you up
all night or bother you as much. If PSPS is
your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, schedule your
Vancouver chiropractic appointment with Vancouver Disc Centers soon
to explore how chiropractic can help you!