No longer the ‘preferred’ term
for back pain that hangs around following a
back surgery that was intended 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 have back pain, you know how the pain can alter 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. Luckily, there is hope for those who suffer from
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. Recent
studies have demonstrated that using chiropractic spinal
manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively reduce
back pain and enhance sleep quality.
WHAT IS PSPS - Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome?
PSPS is defined 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
is most common with lumbar spine surgery and considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months after spine surgery because of the speed at
which neuropathic pain sets in. (1)
Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn uses evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. A chiropractic
study reported on 32 cases of post-surgical
continued lumbar spine pain post-back surgery who were managed
with (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation and mobilization. Relief
was rated by numerical pain scale scores (0/no pain to 10/worst
pain) and dropped 4.1 out of 10 in a mean number of 14
treatments. Patients who had back surgeries that combined
surgical approaches (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) decreased
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) An additional 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 care (mean: 49 days, 11
treatments). At 2-years’ follow-up, 78.6% continued
with their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the end 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
describes The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management
for post-back-surgery-continued back pain patients.
A HELPFUL ADJUNCTIVE APPROACH: WHAT IS AURICULAR
ACUPRESSURE?
Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn welcomes effective
non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. Auricular acupressure is
such an approach in which pressure is used on particular
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but recently researchers have started
analyzing its potential as a form of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular
acupressure decreased both pain and neurological symptoms
of PSPS. Researchers described
it as an effective, safe, cost-effective,
non-invasive intervention that may well improve pain, neuropathy, and
sleep in PSPS patients. (1) Well, you can’t argue with those
outcomes! Ashburn post back surgery continued pain patients
would certainly welcome them. Another study found
that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing
pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons residing
in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could
use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating,
but it does not have to keep you up
all night or bother you as much. If you are dealing with post-surgical back pain
or poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your
Ashburn chiropractic appointment with Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn soon
to explore how chiropractic can help you!