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Pain Management and Acupuncture After Vertebral Fractures

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Non-Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a significant cause of morbidity in the elderly as well as in certain populations of non-elderly. Vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis are a significant cause of decreased function as well as pain. Care of this population sometimes requires a multimodal approach including referrals to pain clinics. Pain management strategies are varied; in addition to the usual pharmacologic approach (including oral and topical medications), non-pharmacologic approaches can be very useful. Spine injections, bracing, exercise, and vertebral augmentation as well as less conventional therapies including acupuncture can also be used as valuable adjuncts for pain management or as a safe alternative to oral medication use. Acupuncture has gained in popularity as a valid treatment option for many different types of pain conditions including back pain.

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Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Huntoon MS, MD .

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Huntoon, E.A. (2017). Pain Management and Acupuncture After Vertebral Fractures. In: Sinaki, M., Pfeifer, M. (eds) Non-Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54016-0_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54016-0_16

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