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Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?

Opioids are in the news. The Richmond opioid epidemic is a big concern. 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 Richmond chiropractic care eases the Richmond back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often minus the bad side-effects.

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment possibilities – drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are the focus of much attention today. Researchers investigate these and other options as to what works best to benefit Richmond back pain patients. The effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on chronic low back pain are hard to predict. One article proposed that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another described that electroacupuncture proved to be more cost effective than NSAIDs and suggested as an alternative for chronic low back pain treatment. (2) A third wrote 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) Johnson Chiropractic cares for many Richmond back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Richmond chiropractic care is helpful for most.

DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY

Richmond chronic low back pain leads 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 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 had not took 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 consumers of opioids. The researchers decided that lumbar spine fusion infrequently ended the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of using them long-term. (4) Johnson Chiropractic offers Richmond chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to manage Richmond back pain and for some prevent Richmond back surgery.

ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN

What are the options for Richmond 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 Richmond back pain relief is possible and to remain active. The Richmond low back pain sufferer can learn more about self-care options. For acute low back pain and neck pain patients who do not have any serious underlying issue, exercise, manual therapy, heat and NSAIDs are suggested. 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 suggested because of research revealing uselessness. (5) Johnson Chiropractic offers Richmond chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be effective for Richmond back pain relief.

CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic

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 Richmond chiropractic appointment with Johnson Chiropractic today. The opioid epidemic may be limited for Richmond back pain sufferers who come for Richmond chiropractic care at Johnson Chiropractic…and chiropractic may turn out to be the opioid-alternative news!

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