The opioid epidemic. It’s in
the news. Williamson does not2 escape the opioid issue.
Apple Country Chiropractic sees some Williamson chiropractic patients
with Williamson back pain struggle with opioids that were, at one
time, prescribed to assist them in coping with
their back pain and now desire to be done with them.
Apple Country Chiropractic gets it and is prepared to help
Williamson back pain sufferers get relief without opioid
drugs. The effectiveness of opioid drugs for control of Williamson back
pain is questioned while spinal manipulation such as offered at
Apple Country Chiropractic is recommended.
WHY OPIOIDS FOR BACK PAIN
Low back pain overwhelms a
back pain patient’s life. It is not a surprise
that a back pain sufferer desires a pill to get rid of the pain, a Williamson back surgery to get rid of
the pain’s source now. Occasionally
it is not that easy: the pill may have unwanted
effects or the positive effects may not last long
enough; the surgery relief may not continue or resulted
in an unexpected outcome. Apple Country Chiropractic appreciates
the role of drugs for pain relief when necessary, respects
the part back surgery plays in a Williamson back pain
sufferer’s journey toward pain relief and a better quality of life.
Apple Country Chiropractic also offers complementary care to those back
pain relief choices and, for some Williamson back pain
sufferers, back surgery prevention in addition to post-back
surgery rehab and Williamson back pain relief.
OPIOIDS’ ROLE IN BACK PAIN RELIEF
A recent Cochrane data review of randomized clinical trials
on the effectiveness of opioids and other drugs for chronic low back pain concluded that the effectiveness is poor. Opioids’ effects on pain reduction and function improvement
are small to moderate and brief versus
placebo. The side effects, serious ones for those who use strong opioids for a
long time, were usual. (1) Some patients respond
better to drug therapies than others. Researchers found it hard to figure
out just how effective drugs like oxycodone and clobazam and imipramine
will be for which chronic low back pain patient. (2) Apple Country Chiropractic understands
the Williamson back pain patient who comes
for Williamson chiropractic care and sets the suitable
treatment plan to secure some back pain relief.
OPIOIDS AND BACK SURGERY
Patients choose back surgery often seeking quick pain relief that
will stop the need for pain control drugs. Researchers checked
into this idea and found that many back pain sufferers who were prescribed
opioids before surgery expected that surgery would end the
need for opioids. Reality
shows that of 2491 adults who underwent lumbar fusion back surgery, 1045 needed
long-term opioids before surgery, and 1094 used opioids after
surgery. Of the pre-operative opioid patients, 77.1% kept
taking them long-term, 13.8% occasionally, and just 9.1%
discontinued or took them short-term afterward.
34.4% continued with a lower dose while 44.8% did so
with a higher dose. Of those who didn’t take any
opioids before back surgery, 12.8% became long-term users. What was the end result? What
do patients need to know who are thinking about Williamson
back surgery as the ultimate solution to their Williamson
back pain? Lumbar fusion back surgery rarely stopped the
long-term opioid use and increased the risk of creating
the need for their use later. Patient expectations of pain reduction and opioid
use reduction demand
reevaluation. (3)
ALTERNATIVES TO OPIOIDS FOR BACK PAIN RELIEF
Researchers work to develop guidelines for
back pain relief treatment. These guidelines direct that
non-effective treatments
should not be used (systemic corticosteroids, TENS, traction,
electrical muscle stim, benozodiazepines, botulinum toxin injection, etc.) and suggest
that clinicians coach and reassure
patients, guide them to remain active and do
self-care. Acute back pain patients can choose exercise, manual
therapy, heat, and NSAIDS.
Chronic back pain patients can choose
exercise, yoga, manual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture,
biofeedback, massage, rehabilitation, etc. Radicular back pain patients may choose
exercise, spinal manipulation, NSAIDs.
(4)
Williamson chiropractic care at Apple Country Chiropractic fits these guidelines.
Apple Country Chiropractic offers a Williamson chiropractic
treatment plan of spinal manipulation with
Cox Technic, exercise, rehabilitation,
and more.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Schedule you Williamson chiropractic appointment now
with Apple Country Chiropractic. Opioids are not the only option for Williamson back pain relief, particularly Williamson chronic
low back pain. Apple Country Chiropractic offers hope for chronic low back
pain relief to Williamson back pain sufferers wishing to avoid or escape the opioid epidemic.