Opioids are in the news. The Lynchburg opioid
epidemic is a big concern. Opioids are
prescribed for pain relief of all types of pain. Opioids for back
pain relief are common. But today, non-drug
alternatives are in demand. Non-drug alternative care like Lynchburg
chiropractic care eases the Lynchburg back
pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often without bad side-effects.
DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY
Pharmacological treatment options
– drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are the focus of
much attention today. Researchers investigate
these and other options as to what works best to
comfort Lynchburg back pain patients. The
effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on
chronic low back pain are hard to foresee. One
article suggested that patients who are more sensitive to hot
and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another reported
that electroacupuncture was more cost effective than NSAIDs
and suggested as an alternative for chronic low back pain treatment. (2) A third
explained 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) Palmer Chiropractic Center cares for many Lynchburg
back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Lynchburg
chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
Lynchburg chronic low back pain leads
some sufferers to lumbar spine fusion surgery. Patients who go this route to
deal with their back pain often take
opioids prior to surgery hoping – even expecting – that they will not need
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 consumers of
opioids. The researchers decided that lumbar spine
fusion hardly ever stopped
the long-term opioid use and actually intensified the risk of taking
them long-term. (4) Palmer Chiropractic Center offers Lynchburg chiropractic care
both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce Lynchburg
back pain and for some prevent Lynchburg back surgery.
ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for Lynchburg back pain
patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid
alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are
considered. One of the
first things to do is educate and reassure the patient that Lynchburg back
pain relief is possible and to remain active. The Lynchburg low
back pain sufferer would benefit from learning
more about how to care for pain on their own. For acute
low back pain and neck pain patients who do not have
any concerning underlying issue, exercise, manual
therapy, heat and NSAIDs are recommended. For chronic low back
pain sufferers who do not present with 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 recommended
because of research showing ineffectiveness.
(5) Palmer Chiropractic Center offers Lynchburg chiropractic care including Cox
Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented
to be successful for Lynchburg back pain relief.
CONTACT Palmer Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Roy Siegel on the Back Doctor’s Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
shares how Cox Technic relieves back pain for his performing arts
patients without drugs so they can keep performing!
Schedule your Lynchburg chiropractic appointment
with Palmer Chiropractic Center today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for
Lynchburg back pain sufferers who come for Lynchburg
chiropractic care at Palmer Chiropractic Center…and chiropractic may become the opioid-alternative news!