Chiropractic Treatment More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Swanson works with many sciatica patients here in our Texarkana, Atlanta office, and several of these men and women were concerned that they might require surgery to eliminate their pain. The latest research shows that a large number of people don't require surgery for this widespread issue, and that chiropractic care is more beneficial at resolving sciatic nerve issues.

A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, researchers examined 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 received chiropractic therapy.

Both groups improved; however, no noticeable difference in results was recorded one year post-treatment between the surgery group and the chiropractic group. Additionally, about 60 percent of the participating patients who could not find relief 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 advantages as surgery without needing to endure the higher amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through extended recovery times often affiliated with that type of treatment option. Additionally, you also don't run the risks affiliated 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 Texarkana, Atlanta and you're suffering from back problems or sciatica, give Dr. Swanson a call today at (903) 792-2060. We'll help determine the start of your problems 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.