Disc Herniation and Chiropractic Therapy

Dr. Harrison sees many patients weekly in our busy Decatur chiropractic office who are looking for relief from the discomfort and issues they feel due to herniated discs. Our experience isn't unique; the scientific literature verifies that chiropractic adjustments is a great way to treat herniated disc problems.

Don't Suffer! Dr. Harrison and Chiropractic Therapy Helps With Disc Herniation

One particular study involved 27 people, 8 male and 19 female, who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirming a disc herniation in either their neck or lower back. The subjects reported that they were experiencing pain, limited range of motion, and sensory issues bad enough to keep them off work.

During the course of the research study, the subjects were treated using one of two common chiropractic techniques: traction for herniated discs in the cervical area or flexion distraction for the men and women who had herniation issues in the low back.

Each individual was treated four or five times per week for the first two weeks, then three times weekly, and then as needed for the rest of the study. Based on the extent of the disc herniation, treatment varied anywhere from six weeks to six months, with MRIs being carried out at various stages to identify what effect, if any, the chiropractic care was having in regard to the disc herniation.

Research Supports Chiropractic Treatment Helps With Back Issues and Herniated Disc

The authors discovered that 80 percent of the subjects obtained a "good clinical outcome," meaning reduced pain and a reduction in other issues, such as numbness. Also, 77 percent of these subjects also showed MRI evidence that their disc herniation was either reduced or resolved completely. This resulted in 78 percent of the study subjects being able to return to their place of work and led the researchers to conclude that chiropractic adjustments is both "safe and helpful" for disc herniations.

If you have a herniated disc and suffer from chronic back pain and are near Dr. Harrison in Decatur, contact our office today to see what chiropractic treatment can do for you!

Reference
BenEliyahu, DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1996;19(9):597-606.