Chiropractic Therapy Superior for Sciatica Than Surgery

Swiss Spine Clinic works with countless sciatica patients here in our Cary office, and quite a few of these men and women were concerned that they might require surgery to eliminate their pain. The most recent research reveals that a large number of people don't need surgery for this common issue, and that chiropractic adjustments is more beneficial at resolving sciatic nerve issues.

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

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

Both groups got better; however, no obvious difference in outcome was recorded one year post-treatment between either group. Additionally, about 60% of the participating subjects who could not find relief 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 benefits as surgery without needing to go through the greater amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through lengthy recovery times often associated with that type of treatment option. Additionally, you also don't run the risks affiliated with surgical microdiscectomy, including nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help Patients Find Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery ought to be the last option for sciatica pain. If you live in Cary and you're being affected by back issues or sciatica, give Swiss Spine Clinic a call today at (919) 589-0909. We'll help pinpoint the source 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.