Chiropractic Therapy More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Harrison works with many sciatica patients here in our Decatur office, and several of these individuals were nervous that they might need surgery to eliminate their pain. The latest research reveals that many people don't require surgery for this widespread problem, and that chiropractic therapy is more successful at resolving sciatic nerve pain.

A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians examined 80 women and men 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 received chiropractic adjustments.

Both groups improved; however, no noticeable difference in outcome was recorded one year post-treatment between the surgery group and the chiropractic group. Additionally, roughly 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."

Simply put, chiropractic therapy delivered the same positive benefits as surgery without having to endure the increased amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through drawn-out recovery times often affiliated with that particular treatment option. Additionally, you also don't run the risks associated with surgical microdiscectomy, which includes nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help People Find Comfort From Sciatica Pain

Surgery should be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Decatur and you're suffering from back pain or sciatica, give Dr. Harrison a call today at (404) 325-2856. We'll help identify the start of your discomfort and work hard to get you support 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.