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

Opioids are in the news. The Ashburn opioid epidemic is a big issue. Opioids are prescribed for pain relief of all sorts of pain. Opioids for back pain relief are common. But today, non-drug alternatives are in demand. Non-drug alternative care like Ashburn chiropractic care reduces the Ashburn back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often minus the bad side-effects.

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment possibilities – drugs – for reducing chronic low back pain are the focus of much attention today. Researchers scrutinize these and other options as to what works best to help Ashburn 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 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 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) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn cares for many Ashburn back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Ashburn chiropractic care is helpful for most.

DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY

Ashburn 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 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 used 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% used a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term consumers of opioids. The researchers decided that lumbar spine fusion infrequently stopped the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of using them long-term. (4) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn offers Ashburn chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce Ashburn back pain and for some prevent Ashburn back surgery.

ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN

What are the options for Ashburn 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 Ashburn back pain relief is possible and to remain active. The Ashburn low back pain sufferer would benefit from learning more about how to care for pain on their own. For acute low back pain and neck pain patients without any serious underlying issue, exercise, manual therapy, heat and NSAIDs are suggested. 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 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 due to research revealing uselessness. (5) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn offers Ashburn chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be successful for Ashburn back pain relief.

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Roy Siegel on the Back Doctor’s Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares how Cox Technic reduces back pain for his performing arts patients without drugs so they can keep performing!

Schedule your Ashburn chiropractic appointment with Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for Ashburn back pain sufferers who choose Ashburn chiropractic care at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn…and chiropractic may become the opioid-alternative news!

 
Pain control drugs like opioids aren’t always effective for Ashburn 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."