Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?
Opioids are in the news. The Minster opioid epidemic is a big 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 in demand. Non-drug alternative care like Minster chiropractic care reduces the Minster back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often devoid of 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 alternatives as to what works best to benefit Minster back pain patients. The effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on chronic low back pain are difficult to foresee. One article proposed that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another stated that electroacupuncture was more cost effective than NSAIDs and suggested as an alternative for chronic low back pain treatment. (2) A third reported 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) Minster Chiropractic Center cares for many Minster back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Minster chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
Minster 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 had not took opioids before surgery, 34.4% used a lower dose after surgery, and 44.8% took a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term users of opioids. The researchers concluded that lumbar spine fusion hardly ever stopped the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of taking them long-term. (4) Minster Chiropractic Center offers Minster chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to relieve Minster back pain and for some prevent Minster back surgery.
OPTIONS TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for Minster back pain patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are considered. First and foremost education and reassurance that Minster back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The Minster low back pain sufferer can learn more about self-care options. For acute low back pain and neck pain patients without any serious causal 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 due to research disclosing ineffectiveness. (5) Minster Chiropractic Center offers Minster chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be effective for Minster back pain relief.
CONTACT Minster 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 Minster chiropractic appointment with Minster Chiropractic Center today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for Minster back pain sufferers who choose Minster chiropractic care at Minster Chiropractic Center…and chiropractic may turn out to be the opioid-alternative news!
