No longer the ‘favored’ term
for back pain that remains after a
back surgery that was supposed to ease 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 take
over your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting a good night’s rest, which can result in more
tiredness and lack of productivity throughout the
day. Luckily, there is hope for those who have
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 the quality of sleep.
WHAT IS PSPS - Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome?
PSPS is identified 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. PSPS is most common with lumbar spine surgery and considered
‘chronic’ at 3-months post-spine surgery due to quick onset of neuropathic pain. (1)
Layden Chiropractic has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Layden Chiropractic uses evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. A chiropractic
study related the outcomes of 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 decreased by 4.1 out of 10 in a mean number of 14
treatments. Patients who had back surgeries that blended
surgical approaches (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) lowered
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 responded with greater 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 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?
Layden Chiropractic welcomes effective
non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. Auricular acupressure is
such an approach in which pressure is applied to specific
points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but lately researchers have started
studying its potential as a type of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study found that auricular
acupressure lowered both pain and neurological symptoms
of PSPS. Researchers said it was 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! Plainville post back surgery continued pain patients
would surely welcome them. Another study found
that auricular acupressure was effective in decreasing
pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons living
in nursing homes. (4) Old and young alike, we all could
use better sleep when experiencing pain.
CONTACT Layden Chiropractic
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 PSPS is
your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, schedule your
Plainville chiropractic appointment with Layden Chiropractic soon
to explore how chiropractic can help you!