Do you suffer from Failed Back Surgery Syndrome? It’s a devastating diagnosis, but it doesn’t have to keep you down. Here’s how to recover and move forward.
Dealing with chronic back pain is one of the most uncomfortable, and outright discouraging things a person can go through. When you have a limited range of motion, or it becomes painful to do regular tasks, you simply stop trying to do many of the things you love.
This is no way to live, which is why many people invest in back surgery to fix their spinal issues.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always provide the results a person is looking for.
Sometimes, surgeries go wrong, and a patient is left with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. This can create new problems and pains in the spine or make old matters worse.
But, such a condition can be turned around!
Here’s a closer look at Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and how to treat it.
What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
In the simplest of terms, Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a condition when a patient has undergone spinal surgery, but he or she is still in chronic pain.
Chronic pain is a sharp discomfort in the body that has been consistent for six months or more.
While it’s normal for spinal surgery patients to experience a bit of an adjustment period during recovery, ongoing pain is a sign something is wrong.
When that pain becomes chronic, it’s safe to say there is a case of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Some symptoms to make note of include:
- new pain at another part of the spine
- restricted range of motion and mobility
- back spasms
- a numbing sensation in the lower back or legs
- trouble sleeping due to spinal discomfort
It’s always best to consult a spinal specialist to better understand this condition. Additionally, it’s probably a good idea to get a second opinion from someone other than the doctor who performed the original surgery.
For further insights on how this condition comes about, and who to contact to solve it, click for more. There are also a few options you can look into yourself if you or a loved one are experiencing the symptoms of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.
How Can You Curb Back Pain and Move on?
A lot of the times, a spinal surgery patient will have to go back into surgery to fix their Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. But, this can take a while to schedule and prepare for.
In the meantime, there are ways to make the pain of this condition more manageable, like the options listed below.
Medication and Frequent Rest
Chiropractors and spinal specialists have a wide range of knowledge regarding different pain medications. Talk to your doctor of choice if you’re in need of something to soothe your pain right away.
They can give you a prescription on the same day you go in for a consultation, which shouldn’t take long to fill. In addition to a medical prescription, though, be prepared to get some sort of directions to rest.
Although painkillers will soothe your back pain, they won’t actually fix the problem. Resting keeps you from making matters worse.
The combination of medicine and mindfulness allows you to do normal tasks like cooking and driving. But, anything that may put some strain on the body should be avoided.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
The thing about painkillers is that they aren’t a good choice for anyone who has a history of addiction or certain mental conditions. Other barriers to this form of treatment for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome could be medications that don’t mix well with pain-management pills.
Not to mention, some people just don’t like the thought of relying on medication.
In such cases, spinal cord stimulation offers a great alternative.
This is a pain management tool that is often used for conditions of the back, neck, arms, and legs. It works by stopping pain impulses before they can communicate with the brain. Think of this like the neurological version of a painkiller.
Spinal cord stimulation treatment doesn’t numb a sharp pain or an entire area of the body like painkillers do. It won’t affect regular cognitive functions, either.
It’s simply an innovative tool to make pain less of a distraction throughout your day.
Alternative Medical Options
Sometimes, patients who have undergone a faulty spinal surgery want to contact medical specialists with focuses other than spinal treatment. They may look into fields like acupuncture, massage therapy, and even hydrotherapy to make post-surgery pains more tolerable.
Such alternative medicines can’t target the spine and completely fix the issue at hand. But, with regular visits, these options can curb a significant amount of pain and make daily life more enjoyable.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of healing, now practiced worldwide. It’s a form of balancing all the energy in the body by targeting specific areas of pressure. This practice is typically done with needles.
Massage therapy is another form of soothing certain pressure points.
But, many people enjoy that there are no needles involved. Instead, a massage therapist will use their hands to work muscles that are strained and tense. They may use things like hot stones or warm towels, essential oils, and even bamboo sticks to further enhance the treatment.
Hydrotherapy has nothing to do with applying pressure, but rather relieving some of the weight that is already on the body. It’s the practice of using gentle movements in water to strengthen certain parts of the body – like the spine.
Each form of alternative medicine is entirely unique. Patients should always be sure to communicate the severity of their Failed Back Surgery Syndrome before beginning any of these treatments.
Gentle Back Strengthening Movements
The more manageable post-surgery chronic pain becomes, the more a patient is able to use their body. Some will take up old hobbies that were limited by their back pain, such as gardening.
Others will look into activities that support and strengthen the back to use in conjunction with their treatment. Yoga and pilates are two popular exercises that accomplish this.
These are a series of low-impact, gentle movements which can be modified to fit specific needs. Over time, the results of such motions create significant spinal improvements in an all-natural manner.
The Joys of Living without Mobility Restrictions
Being diagnosed with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is pretty heartbreaking. It can set back a person’s daily routine and long-term goals very much, as this is something that requires much attention.
Still, there is hope for better days. With all the treatments available, there is bound to be a solution for the chronic pain you or someone you care about is going through. Although such efforts may take more time and effort than originally planned for, they give you more reason to celebrate once the spine feels strong and stable again.
This is a joy like no other!
It can often remind people of the simple things that get taken for granted, and to just be happy. For more ways to build happiness during your spinal treatments and beyond, click here.