Chiropractic More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Palmer works with countless sciatica patients here in our Depew office, and quite a few of these individuals were worried that they might need surgery to eliminate their pain. The most recent research shows that many people don't require surgery for this widespread issue, and that chiropractic is more successful at resolving sciatic nerve pain.

A common surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, specialists examined 80 individuals with sciatica who were referred for this procedure.

Forty patients were then randomly placed in one of two groups. The first group was to receive surgical microdiscectomy and the second group was given chiropractic care.

Both groups got better; however, no noticeable difference in outcome was reported one year post-treatment between either group. In addition, around sixty 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."

Put another way, chiropractic delivered the same positive advantages as surgery without having to endure the higher levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through drawn-out recovery times often associated with that specific treatment choice. Plus, you also don't run the risks affiliated with surgical microdiscectomy, including nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

Surgery ought to be the last option for sciatica pain. If you live in Depew and you're being affected by back pain or sciatica, give Dr. Palmer a call today at (716) 668-2225. We'll help identify the start of your pain and work hard to get you relief.

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.