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 common. But today, non-drug alternatives are wanted. Non-drug alternative care like Baton Rouge chiropractic care lessens the Baton Rouge back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often without bad side-effects.

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment options – drugs – for reducing chronic low back pain are of much interest today. Researchers study these and other options 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 foresee. One article proposed that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another reported 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) Spine & Sports Rehab Center 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 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 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 took 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% took a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term users of opioids. The researchers decided that lumbar spine fusion seldom stopped the long-term opioid use and actually intensified the risk of using them long-term. (4) Spine & Sports Rehab Center offers Baton Rouge chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce Baton Rouge back pain and for some prevent Baton Rouge back surgery.

OPTIONS 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 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 concerning causal 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 suggested due to research disclosing uselessness. (5) Spine & Sports Rehab Center 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 Spine & Sports Rehab Center

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 Baton Rouge chiropractic appointment with Spine & Sports Rehab Center today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for Baton Rouge back pain sufferers who choose Baton Rouge chiropractic care at Spine & Sports Rehab Center…and chiropractic may become the opioid-alternative news!

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