Opioids are in the news. The West Des Moines opioid
epidemic is a great worry. Opioids are
prescribed for pain relief of all sorts of pain. Opioids for back
pain relief are a common prescription. But today, non-drug
alternatives are in demand. Non-drug alternative care like West Des Moines
chiropractic care lessens the West Des Moines back
pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often devoid of bad side-effects.
DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY
Pharmacological treatment options
– drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are of much interest today. Researchers study
these and other alternatives as to what is best to
comfort West Des Moines 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 react 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
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) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa cares for many West Des Moines
back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the West Des Moines
chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
West Des Moines chronic low back pain leads
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 require
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 hadn’t used
opioids before surgery, 34.4% used a lower dose after surgery, and 44.8% consumed
a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term consumers of
opioids. The researchers concluded that lumbar spine
fusion rarely stopped
the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of taking
them long-term. (4) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa offers West Des Moines chiropractic care
both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce West Des Moines
back pain and for some prevent West Des Moines back surgery.
ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines back
pain relief is possible and to remain active. The West Des Moines low
back pain sufferer can learn
more about self-care options. For acute
low back pain and neck pain patients without
any serious causal issue, exercise, manual
therapy, heat and NSAIDs are suggested. For chronic low back
pain sufferers who don’t 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 suggested
because of research showing ineffectiveness.
(5) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa offers West Des Moines chiropractic care including Cox
Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented
to be effective for West Des Moines back pain relief.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
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 continue performing!
Schedule your West Des Moines chiropractic appointment
with Executive Chiropractic of Iowa today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for
West Des Moines back pain sufferers who choose West Des Moines
chiropractic care at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa…and chiropractic may develop into being the opioid-alternative news!