Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?
Opioids are in the news. The Baton Rouge opioid epidemic is a great issue. 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 Baton Rouge chiropractic care lessens the Baton Rouge back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often minus the 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 assist Baton Rouge 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 suggested that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold react better to imipramine. (1) Another described 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) Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers cares for many Baton Rouge back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Baton Rouge chiropractic care is helpful for most.
DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY
Baton Rouge 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 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 users of opioids. The researchers concluded that lumbar spine fusion hardly ever ended the long-term opioid use and actually intensified the risk of using them long-term. (4) Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers offers Baton Rouge chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to relieve Baton Rouge back pain and for some prevent Baton Rouge back surgery.
ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN
What are the options for Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge back pain relief is possible and to remain active. The Baton Rouge 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 recommended. For chronic low back pain sufferers without 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 recommended due to research revealing ineffectiveness. (5) Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers offers Baton Rouge chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be successful for Baton Rouge back pain relief.
CONTACT Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers
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 Baton Rouge chiropractic appointment with Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for Baton Rouge back pain sufferers who come for Baton Rouge chiropractic care at Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers…and chiropractic may turn out to be the opioid-alternative news!
