PSY 352 Topic 4 Discussion Question 1:
answer
For Ken Garoo, a low-back pain program would help relieve his pain in the long term and reduce dependence on opiates to treat his pain. You can recommend 4 different CAM/s from the list provided in class (ex. activity modification, acupuncture, cognitive behavior therapy, etc.). Explain the benefit of each one (how it will reduce pain) and provide an example of each one being used effectively.”
What CAM/s can be recommended to aid Ken Garoo. Example of the CAMs are, anti-inflammatory diet, mindfulness and meditations, a program to encourage natural movement.
CAM may be able to help Ken Garoo manage his low-back pain in a way that is safer and more effective than traditional medications. ___ A Doctor of Chiropractic would be the most appropriate provider for this patient. They have extensive knowledge on how the spine and its nerves relate to muscular pain, including spine spasm and muscle strain. They are experts at manipulation therapy, muscle release techniques, electrical stimulation, and rehabilitative exercises. Other alternatives that may be helpful include: massage therapists (to relax tense musculature), acupuncturists (to stimulate nerves), nutritional supplement specialists to work with the patient in developing a nutritional plan to reduce inflammation, and other complementary care experienced in consultation with their physician.
Spinal manipulation, yoga, massage therapy, or acupuncture may help Ken Garoo. Research indicates that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment for back pain as well as relief from neck and low-back pain from disc herniation. A self-care regimen of physical exercise and lifestyle changes will also be beneficial to his overall health and possibly reduce the intensity of his chronic pain. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for chronic back pain. Relaxation techniques and guided imagery may also help Ken Garoo cope with his chronic pain.
After reviewing the case, I recommend that Ken Garoo should consider getting chiropractic care as a way to manage his pain and functional improvement. Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the alignment of body parts and the functioning of each part, therefore it’s thought that using manipulation methods including spinal manipulation to improve joint mobility and relieve pressure on the nervous system can help reduce pain and increase function.
There is a varied selection of CAM that may be helpful to Ken. Acupuncture has been known to decrease pain and improve quality of life for some patients with low back pain in certain conditions, such as persistent non-radicular low back pain. It has also proven to help edema caused by filariasis, a tropical disease caused by adult parasitic worms (parasites) that infect a person’s lymphatic system Most research has been done on patients who are opioid-sparing. As Ken has had difficulty in finding satisfaction from the standard treatment without substantial risks, acupuncture may prove be an effective alternative.
A variety of CAM treatments can help provide pain relief, such as acupuncture, dietary changes, spinal manipulation and manual therapies. Clinical research has shown that combining massage, acupuncture and yoga has also proved to be effective for low-back pain management.
Two possible recommendations for Ken would be physical therapy and massage therapy. Although it is not stated, I suspect that Ken has a herniated disc in his lumbar region. He may also have experienced some nerve root compression which is causing the pain to radiate down into his left leg. The physical therapy and massage therapy would help to align the vertebrae, release the tight muscles around the spine, and improve circulation to the affected area to relieve pain.
Cauda Equina Syndrome, or CES, is a painful and temporary condition that results from pressure and swelling on the lower-back nerve roots. CES may affect men and women of all ages and does not discriminate based on age and gender. Many factors may play a role in your risk of developing CES including repeated blows to the low back, obesity, physical inactivity, chronic constipation, smoking, age (over 40), race (African American), previous spinal surgery and prolonged sitting. Radiation treatments can increase your risk of developing CES.
question
Ken Garoo hurt his back at work 2 years ago, and since then, he has experienced periods where he could not work due to low-back pain. Worker’s compensation has helped financially during those times. His wife has take on extra responsibility completing chores and caring for him. His physician is reluctant to prescribe more opiate analgesics and would like to see him get into a program that would help alleviate his pain. “What CAM/s can be recommended to help Ken? Provide examples and support to substantiate the response.