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Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?

Opioids are in the news. The La Grande opioid epidemic is a big worry. 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 La Grande chiropractic care eases the La Grande back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often minus the bad side-effects.

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment preferences – drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are the focus of much attention today. Researchers investigate these and other options as to what works best to help La Grande back pain patients. The effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on chronic low back pain are hard to foresee. One article suggested that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another reported that electroacupuncture was more cost effective than NSAIDs and suggested as an alternative for chronic low back pain treatment. (2) A third wrote 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) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC cares for many La Grande back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the La Grande chiropractic care is helpful for most.

DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY

La Grande chronic low back pain guides 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 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 had not used opioids before surgery, 34.4% used a lower dose after surgery, and 44.8% consumed a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term consumers of opioids. The researchers concluded that lumbar spine fusion rarely stopped the long-term opioid use and actually intensified the risk of using them long-term. (4) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC offers La Grande chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to manage La Grande back pain and for some prevent La Grande back surgery.

ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN

What are the options for La Grande 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 La Grande back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The La Grande low back pain sufferer would do well to learn more about how to care for pain on their own. For acute low back pain and neck pain patients without any concerning underlying issue, exercise, manual therapy, heat and NSAIDs are recommended. For chronic low back pain sufferers without 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 suggested due to research disclosing uselessness. (5) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC offers La Grande chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be successful for La Grande back pain relief.

CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC

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 continue performing!

Schedule your La Grande chiropractic appointment with Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for La Grande back pain sufferers who choose La Grande chiropractic care at Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC…and chiropractic may become the opioid-alternative news!

 
Pain control drugs like opioids aren’t always effective for La Grande back pain. Chiropractic is a beneficial alternative. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."