Chiropractic Treatment Better for Sciatica Than Surgery

Chiropractic Treatment More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Wagner works with countless sciatica patients here in our Alexandria office, and several of these men and women were nervous that they might need surgery to treat their pain. The latest research indicates that a large number of people don't need surgery for this prevalent problem, and that chiropractic adjustments is more effective at resolving sciatic nerve pain.

A common surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, researchers looked at 80 women and men with sciatica who were referred for this operation.

Forty patients were then randomly sorted into one of two groups. The first group received surgical microdiscectomy and the second group was given chiropractic treatment.

Both groups improved; however, no apparent difference in results was recorded one year post-treatment between either group. Additionally, around 60 percent of the participating subjects who could not find assistance from any other treatment method "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."

In other words, chiropractic therapy delivered the same positive advantages as surgery without having to go through the higher amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through drawn-out recovery times often associated with that specific treatment option. Plus, you also don't run the risks affiliated with surgical microdiscectomy, such as nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help Patients Find Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery should be the last option for sciatica pain. If you live in Alexandria and you're being affected by back discomfort or sciatica, give Dr. Wagner a call today at (859) 448-0056. We'll help determine the origin of your discomfort and work hard to get you help and living pain free.

References

• McMorland, G et al. Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2010;33(8):576-584.
• Solberg TK, Nygaard OP, Sjaavik K, Hofoss D, Ingebrigtsen T. The risk of "getting worse" after lumbar microdiscectomy. European Spine Journal 2005;14(1):49-54.