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Effectiveness of Opioids for Pain Control is Questionable while Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation is Recommended

The opioid epidemic. It’s in the news. Vancouver does not2 escape the opioid issue. Vancouver Disc Centers sees some Vancouver chiropractic patients with Vancouver back pain struggle with opioids that were, at one time, prescribed to assist them in coping with their back pain and now desire to be done with them. Vancouver Disc Centers gets it and is ready to help Vancouver back pain sufferers get relief without opioid drugs. The effectiveness of opioid drugs for control of Vancouver back pain is questioned while spinal manipulation such as offered at Vancouver Disc Centers is recommended.

WHY OPIOIDS FOR BACK PAIN

Low back pain burdens a back pain patient’s life. It’s not a surprise that a back pain sufferer wants a pill to be done with the pain, a Vancouver back surgery to remove the pain’s cause now.  Occasionally it is not that easy: the pill may have unwanted effects or the positive effects may not last long enough; the surgery relief may not continue or produced an unexpected outcome. Vancouver Disc Centers appreciates the role of drugs for pain relief when necessary, respects the part back surgery has in a Vancouver back pain sufferer’s journey toward pain relief and a better quality of life. Vancouver Disc Centers also offers coordinating care to those back pain relief options and, for some Vancouver back pain sufferers, back surgery prevention in addition to post-back surgery rehabilitation and Vancouver back pain relief.

OPIOIDS’ ROLE IN BACK PAIN RELIEF

A recent Cochrane data review of randomized clinical trials on the effectiveness of opioids and other drugs for chronic low back pain concluded that the effectiveness is sadly quite modest. Opioids’ effects on pain reduction and function improvement are small to moderate and brief versus placebo. The side effects, serious ones for those who use strong opioids for a long time, were common. (1) Some patients respond better to drug therapies than others. Researchers found it hard to determine just how effective drugs like oxycodone and clobazam and imipramine will be for which chronic low back pain patient. (2) Vancouver Disc Centers figures out each Vancouver back pain patient who seeks for Vancouver chiropractic care and establishes the appropriate treatment plan to get some back pain relief.

OPIOIDS AND BACK SURGERY

Patients choose back surgery often for pain relief or a quick fix that will negate the need for pain control drugs. Researchers checked into this idea and reported that many back pain sufferers who were prescribed opioids before surgery expected that surgery would fix the problem and not have to take opioids anymore. Reality shows that of 2491 adults who underwent lumbar fusion back surgery, 1045 needed long-term opioids before surgery, and 1094 took opioids subsequently. Of the pre-operative opioid patients, 77.1% continued using them long-term, 13.8% occasionally, and just 9.1% discontinued or used them short-term subsequently. 34.4% continued with a lower dose, but 44.8% continued with a higher dose. Of those who didn’t take any opioids before back surgery, 12.8% became long-term users.  What was the end result? What do patients need to know who are considering Vancouver back surgery as the ultimate solution to their Vancouver back pain? Lumbar fusion back surgery seldom ended the long-term opioid use and increased the risk of starting their use afterwards.  Patient expectations of pain reduction and opioid use reduction need to be reevaluated. (3)

ALTERNATIVES TO OPIOIDS FOR BACK PAIN RELIEF

Researchers work to create guidelines for back pain relief treatment. These guidelines direct that non-effective treatments should be avoided (systemic corticosteroids, TENS, traction, electrical muscle stim, benozodiazepines, botulinum toxin injection, etc.) and suggest that clinicians teach and comfort patients, direct them to remain active and perform self-care. Acute back pain patients can do exercise, manual therapy, heat, and NSAIDS. Chronic back pain patients can use exercise, yoga, manual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, rehabilitation, etc. Radicular back pain patients may choose exercise, spinal manipulation, NSAIDs.  (4) Vancouver chiropractic care at Vancouver Disc Centers  fits these guidelines. Vancouver Disc Centers presents a Vancouver chiropractic treatment plan of spinal manipulation with Cox Technic, exercise, rehabilitation, and more.

CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers

Schedule you Vancouver chiropractic appointment today with Vancouver Disc Centers. Opioids are not the only option for Vancouver back pain relief, particularly Vancouver chronic low back pain. Vancouver Disc Centers offers hope for chronic low back pain relief to Vancouver back pain sufferers wishing to avoid or escape the opioid epidemic.

 
Chiropractic spinal manipulation at Vancouver Disc Centers is worthwhile over opioids for back pain control. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."