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New York City Chiropractic Help for Persistent Pain After Back Surgery

March 07, 2023

No longer the ‘desired’ term for back pain that remains following 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’. Whatever its called, if you have had back surgery and still have back pain, you know how the pain can alter your life, day and night. For many, this means not getting a good night’s rest, which can result in more tiredness and lack of productivity during the day. Luckily, there is hope for those who suffer from persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) after back surgery. Recent studies have demonstrated that using chiropractic spinal manipulation and even auricular acupressure can effectively decrease back pain and enhance sleep quality.

WHAT IS PSPS - Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome?

PSPS is identified 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 in lumbar spine surgery and deemed ‘chronic’ at 3-months after spine surgery because of the speed at which neuropathic pain sets in. (1) Rosenberg Wellness Center has gentle, safe, relieving treatment for post-back-surgery patients.

HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL MANIPULATION HELP?

Rosenberg Wellness Center uses evidence-based, well-researched chiropractic technique, Cox® Technic. A chiropractic study reported on 32 cases of post-surgical continued lumbar spine pain post-back surgery who were managed with (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation and mobilization. Relief was measured by numerical pain scale scores (0/no pain to 10/worst pain) and dropped 4.1 out of 10 in a mean number of 14 treatments. Patients who had back surgeries that blended surgical approaches (like discectomy with fusion or laminectory) lowered even more with 5.7 out of 10. (2) An additional study of 69 cases treated with (Cox®) flexion distraction documented that 81% of patients reacted with more 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 end 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 illustrates The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for post-back-surgery-continued back pain patients.

A HELPFUL ADJUNCTIVE APPROACH: WHAT IS AURICULAR ACUPRESSURE? 

Rosenberg Wellness Center welcomes effective non-surgical means to elevate the positive relief outcome. Auricular acupressure is such an approach in which pressure is applied to particular points on the ear. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but recently researchers have begun evaluating 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 can improve pain, neuropathy, and sleep in PSPS patients. (1) Well, you can’t go wrong with those outcomes! New York City post back surgery continued pain patients would surely welcome them. Another study showed that auricular acupressure was effective in lessening pain and improving the sleep of older osteoarthritic persons living in nursing homes. (4) Regardless of age, we all could use better sleep when experiencing pain.

CONTACT Rosenberg Wellness Center

Back pain after back surgery can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to keep you from sleeping or bother you as much. If you are dealing with post-surgical back pain or poor sleep quality due to PSPS, make your New York City chiropractic appointment with Rosenberg Wellness Center today to explore how chiropractic can help you!