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

Opioids are in the news. The McHenry opioid epidemic is a big worry. 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 McHenry chiropractic care eases the McHenry back pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often devoid of adverse side-effects.

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment preferences – drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are the focus of much attention today. Researchers study these and other alternatives as to what works best to assist McHenry 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 suggested that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another stated 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) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic cares for many McHenry back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the McHenry chiropractic care is helpful for most.

DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY

McHenry 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 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 took 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% used a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term consumers of opioids. The researchers decided that lumbar spine fusion seldom stopped the long-term opioid use and actually intensified the risk of taking them long-term. (4) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic offers McHenry chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce McHenry back pain and for some prevent McHenry back surgery.

ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN

What are the options for McHenry back pain patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are considered. First and foremost education and reassurance that McHenry back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The McHenry 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 causal issue, exercise, manual therapy, heat and NSAIDs are recommended. 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 recommended due to research revealing uselessness. (5) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic offers McHenry chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be effective for McHenry back pain relief.

CONTACT OrthoIllinois 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 keep performing!

Schedule your McHenry chiropractic appointment with OrthoIllinois Chiropractic today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for McHenry back pain sufferers who choose McHenry chiropractic care at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic…and chiropractic may develop into being the opioid-alternative news!

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