Opioids are in the news. The Eugene opioid
epidemic is a big concern. 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 Eugene
chiropractic care eases the Eugene back
pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often devoid of adverse 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 options as to what works best to
help Eugene 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 proved to be 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) Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic cares for many Eugene
back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Eugene
chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
Eugene 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 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 took 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% took
a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term consumers of
opioids. The researchers concluded that lumbar spine
fusion seldom stopped
the long-term opioid use and actually intensified the risk of using
them long-term. (4) Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic offers Eugene chiropractic care
both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce Eugene
back pain and for some prevent Eugene back surgery.
ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for Eugene 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 Eugene
back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The Eugene 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 who don’t have
any concerning 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 suggested
because of research disclosing ineffectiveness.
(5) Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic offers Eugene chiropractic care including Cox
Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented
to be successful for Eugene back pain relief.
CONTACT Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic
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 Eugene chiropractic appointment
with Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic today. The opioid epidemic may be limited for
Eugene back pain sufferers who choose Eugene
chiropractic care at Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic…and chiropractic may become the opioid-alternative news!