No longer the ‘preferred’ word
for back pain that hangs around after a
back surgery that was supposed to relieve it,
failed back surgery syndrome has new names like ‘post-surgical continued pain’
and ‘persistent spinal pain syndrome’. Despite its name, if you have experienced back surgery
and still experience back pain, you know how the pain can cloud your life, day and night. For many, this means not being
able to get a good night’s rest, which can lead to further
tiredness and lack of productivity during 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 described 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 in lumbar spine surgery and deemed
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
Minster Chiropractic Center has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Minster Chiropractic Center implements evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. A chiropractic
study related the outcomes of 32 cases of post-surgical
continued lumbar spine pain after back surgery who were treated
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 had back surgeries that combined
surgical types (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) lowered
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 more 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 had 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?
Minster Chiropractic Center appreciates effective
non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. Auricular acupressure is
such an approach in which pressure is applied to particular
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a
long time, but lately researchers have started
analyzing its potential as a form of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular
acupressure lowered both pain and neurological symptoms
of 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 argue with those
outcomes! Minster post back surgery continued pain patients
would certainly appreciate them. Another study showed
that auricular acupressure was effective in lessening
pain and improving the sleep of elderly osteoarthritic persons living
in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating,
but it does not have to keep you from sleeping or trouble you as intensely. If PSPS is
your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, schedule your
Minster chiropractic appointment with Minster Chiropractic Center soon
to explore how chiropractic can help you!