Chiropractic Care Superior for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dynamic Chiropractic works with many sciatica patients here in our Memphis office, and quite a few of these patients were afraid that they might require surgery to alleviate their pain. The most recent research shows that a large number of people don't require surgery for this widespread issue, and that chiropractic therapy is more effective at resolving sciatic nerve discomfort.

A common surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians looked at 80 individuals with sciatica who were referred for this operation.

Forty patients were then randomly placed in one of two groups. The first group was to receive surgical microdiscectomy and the second group was given chiropractic care.

Both groups got better; however, no obvious difference in results was reported one year post-treatment between the surgery group and the chiropractic group. Additionally, about 60 percent of the participating subjects who could not find pain relief from any other treatment method "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."

Simply put, chiropractic therapy offered the same positive advantages as surgery without having to undergo the greater amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through extended recovery times often associated with that particular treatment option. Plus, you also don't run the risks affiliated with surgical microdiscectomy, such as nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help Clients Find Comfort From Sciatica Pain

Surgery ought to be the last option for sciatica pain. If you live in Memphis and you're suffering from back issues or sciatica, give Dynamic Chiropractic a call today at (901) 757-8311. We'll help identify the source of your issues 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.