Call us to set up an appointment! 719-599-8783

Effectiveness of Opioids for Pain Control is Questionable while Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation is Recommended

The opioid epidemic. It’s in the news. Colorado Springs does not2 escape the opioid issue. The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR sees some Colorado Springs chiropractic patients with Colorado Springs back pain struggle with opioids that were, at one time, prescribed to assist them in coping with their back pain and now want to be done with them. The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR gets it and is ready to help Colorado Springs back pain sufferers get relief without opioid drugs. The effectiveness of opioid drugs for control of Colorado Springs back pain is doubted while spinal manipulation such as offered at The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR is recommended.

WHY OPIOIDS FOR BACK PAIN

Low back pain burdens its sufferers’ life. It is not a surprise that a back pain sufferer wants a pill to get rid of the pain, a Colorado Springs back surgery to remove the pain’s source now.  Occasionally it is not that easy: the pill may have unwelcome effects or the positive effects may not last long enough; the surgery relief may not last or resulted in an unexpected outcome. The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR values the role of drugs for pain relief when needed, admires the part back surgery has in a Colorado Springs back pain sufferer’s trip toward pain relief and a better quality of life. The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR also offers coordinating care to those back pain relief options and, for some Colorado Springs back pain sufferers, back surgery prevention in addition to post-back surgery rehab and Colorado Springs back pain relief.

OPIOIDS’ ROLE IN BACK PAIN RELIEF

A recent Cochrane data review of randomized clinical trials on the effectiveness of opioids and other drugs for chronic low back pain concluded that the effectiveness is sadly quite modest. Opioids’ effects on pain reduction and function improvement are small to moderate and brief compared to placebo. The side effects, serious ones for those who use strong opioids for a long time, were common. (1) Some patients react better to drug therapies than others. Researchers found it hard to determine just how effective drugs like oxycodone and clobazam and imipramine will be for which chronic low back pain patient. (2) The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR figures out each Colorado Springs back pain patient who seeks for Colorado Springs chiropractic care and establishes the suitable treatment plan to secure some back pain relief.

OPIOIDS AND BACK SURGERY

Patients choose back surgery often for pain relief or a quick fix that will negate the need for pain control drugs. Researchers checked into this idea and reported that many back pain sufferers who were prescribed opioids before surgery expected that surgery would eliminate the need for opioids. Reality shows that of 2491 adults who underwent lumbar fusion back surgery, 1045 took long-term opioids before surgery, and 1094 took opioids subsequently. Of the pre-operative opioid patients, 77.1% kept taking them long-term, 13.8% occasionally, and just 9.1% discontinued or used them short-term afterward. 34.4% continued with a lower dose while 44.8% continued with a higher dose. Of those who did not use any opioids before back surgery, 12.8% became long-term users.  What was the end result? What do patients need to know who are thinking about Colorado Springs back surgery as the ultimate solution to their Colorado Springs back pain? Lumbar fusion back surgery rarely stopped the long-term opioid use and heightened the risk of creating the need for their use later.  Patient expectations of pain reduction and opioid use reduction need to be reevaluated. (3)

ALTERNATIVES TO OPIOIDS FOR BACK PAIN RELIEF

Researchers strive to create guidelines for back pain relief treatment. These guidelines direct that non-effective treatments should be avoided (systemic corticosteroids, TENS, traction, electrical muscle stim, benozodiazepines, botulinum toxin injection, etc.) and recommend that clinicians teach and reassure patients, advise them to stay active and perform self-care. Acute back pain patients can do exercise, manual therapy, heat, and NSAIDS. Chronic back pain patients can use exercise, yoga, manual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, rehabilitation, etc. Radicular back pain patients may use exercise, spinal manipulation, NSAIDs.  (4) Colorado Springs chiropractic care at The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR  fits these guidelines. The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR presents a Colorado Springs chiropractic treatment plan of spinal manipulation with Cox Technic, exercise, rehab, and more.

CONTACT The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR

Schedule you Colorado Springs chiropractic appointment now with The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR. Opioids aren’t the only option for Colorado Springs back pain relief, particularly Colorado Springs chronic low back pain. The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR offers hope for chronic low back pain relief to Colorado Springs back pain sufferers wishing to avoid or escape the opioid epidemic.

 
Chiropractic spinal manipulation at The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR is worthwhile over opioids for back pain control. 
« View All Featured Articles
"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."