No longer the ‘desired’ term
for back pain that remains after a
back surgery that was intended to relieve 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 have back pain, you know how the pain can cloud your life, day and night. For many, this means not being
able to get a good night’s rest, which can result in more
tiredness and lack of productivity during the
day. Fortunately, there is hope for those who suffer from
persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. Recent
studies have shown that using chiropractic spinal
manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively decrease
back pain and enhance the quality of sleep.
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 post-spine surgery because of the speed at
which neuropathic pain sets in. (1)
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC has gentle, safe, alleviating treatment for
post-back-surgery patients.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC uses evidence-based,
well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. One chiropractic
study reported on 32 cases of post-surgical
continued lumbar spine pain after 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 combined
surgical approaches (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) reduced
even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) Another 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 experienced their pain relief. Mean relief of pain at the finish 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?
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC appreciates effective
non-surgical means to help our
chiropractic patients get that extra edge of relief. 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 a
long time, but recently researchers have begun
analyzing its potential as a form of
treatment for PSPS patients. A Korean study revealed that auricular
acupressure lowered both pain and neurological symptoms
related to 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 go wrong with those
outcomes! La Grande post back surgery continued pain patients
would surely appreciate them. Another study showed
that auricular acupressure was effective in reducing
pain and improving the sleep of elderly osteoarthritic persons residing
in nursing homes. (4) Old and young alike, we all could
use better sleep when having pain.
CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
Back pain after back surgery can be irritating,
but it doesn’t have to keep you from sleeping or trouble you as much. If PSPS is
your issue and you’re experiencing poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your
La Grande chiropractic appointment with Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC today
to explore how chiropractic can help you!