Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?
Opioids are in the news. The Oxford opioid epidemic is a great item. Opioids are prescribed for pain relief of all types of pain. Opioids for back pain relief are a common prescription. But today, non-drug alternatives are wanted. Non-drug alternative care like Oxford chiropractic care lessens the Oxford back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often without bad side-effects.
DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY
Pharmacological treatment options – drugs – for reducing chronic low back pain are of much interest today. Researchers scrutinize these and other options as to what is best to help Oxford back pain patients. The effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on chronic low back pain are difficult to predict. One article proposed that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold react better to imipramine. (1) Another described 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) Satterwhite Chiropractic cares for many Oxford back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Oxford chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
Oxford chronic low back pain guides some sufferers to lumbar spine fusion surgery. Patients who choose this option to get relief of with their back pain often take opioids prior to surgery hoping – even expecting – that they will not require 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% used a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term consumers of opioids. The researchers concluded that lumbar spine fusion infrequently stopped the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of using them long-term. (4) Satterwhite Chiropractic offers Oxford chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to manage Oxford back pain and for some prevent Oxford back surgery.
OPTIONS TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for Oxford 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 Oxford back pain relief is possible and to remain active. The Oxford low back pain sufferer can learn more about how to care for pain on their own. For acute low back pain and neck pain patients without any serious causal issue, exercise, manual therapy, heat and NSAIDs are suggested. For chronic low back pain sufferers who don’t present with serious underlying issues, exercise, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, relaxation, massage, manual therapy, rehab, NSAIDS, acetaminophen and antidepressants are suggested. 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 revealing ineffectiveness. (5) Satterwhite Chiropractic offers Oxford chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be successful for Oxford back pain relief.
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
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 Oxford chiropractic appointment with Satterwhite Chiropractic today. The opioid epidemic may be limited for Oxford back pain sufferers who choose Oxford chiropractic care at Satterwhite Chiropractic…and chiropractic may turn out to be the opioid-alternative news!
