Chiropractic Therapy More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Slater works with many sciatica patients here in our Saint Paul office, and quite a few of these patients were concerned that they might need surgery to eliminate their pain. The most recent research reveals that many people don't require surgery for this common issue, and that chiropractic treatment is more beneficial at solving sciatic nerve discomfort.

A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians looked at 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 was to receive surgical microdiscectomy and the second group was given chiropractic care.

Both groups improved; however, no obvious difference in results was reported one year post-treatment between either group. In addition, roughly 60% of the participating patients who could not find assistance from any other treatment approach "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."

In other words, chiropractic adjustments offered the same positive benefits as surgery without needing to endure the greater levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through lengthy recovery times often associated with that specific treatment option. Additionally, you also don't run the risks linked to surgical microdiscectomy, which includes nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help People Find Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery should be the last option for sciatica pain. If you live in Saint Paul and you're experiencing back discomfort or sciatica, give Dr. Slater a call today at (651) 699-3366. We'll help determine the origin of your pain 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.