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.