Chiropractic Care More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Cohen works with many sciatica patients here in our Holtsville office, and quite a few of these patients were worried that they might need surgery to treat their pain. The latest research shows that a large number of people don't need surgery for this prevalent issue, and that chiropractic adjustments is more successful at solving sciatic nerve discomfort.

A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, specialists looked at 80 individuals 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 received chiropractic adjustments.

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

Put another way, chiropractic adjustments offered the same positive benefits as surgery without having to undergo the higher levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through lengthy recovery times often affiliated with that particular treatment choice. Plus, you also don't run the risks affiliated with surgical microdiscectomy, including nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help Clients Find Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery should be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Holtsville and you're suffering from back problems or sciatica, give Dr. Cohen a call today at (631) 360-7999. We'll help determine the source of your pain and work hard to get you relief 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.