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

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

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment possibilities – drugs – for easing chronic low back pain are of much interest today. Researchers study these and other alternatives as to what is best to benefit Toronto back pain patients. The effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on chronic low back pain are hard to foresee. One article suggested that patients who are more sensitive to hot and cold react better to imipramine. (1) Another reported that electroacupuncture proved to be 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) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre cares for many Toronto back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Toronto chiropractic care is helpful for most.

DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY

Toronto 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 took them for a short time after surgery. Of patients who hadn’t 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 users of opioids. The researchers decided that lumbar spine fusion infrequently stopped the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of using them long-term. (4) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers Toronto chiropractic care both pre-operatively and post-operatively to manage Toronto back pain and for some prevent Toronto back surgery.

OPTIONS TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN

What are the options for Toronto 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 Toronto back pain relief is possible and to remain active. The Toronto 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 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 recommended due to research revealing uselessness. (5) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers Toronto chiropractic care including Cox Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented to be successful for Toronto back pain relief.

CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre

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 Toronto chiropractic appointment with Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for Toronto back pain sufferers who choose Toronto chiropractic care at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre…and chiropractic may develop into being the opioid-alternative news!

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