Chiropractic Care Better for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Holland works with countless sciatica patients here in our Downtown St. Louis, MO office, and quite a few of these men and women were afraid that they might need surgery to treat their pain. The latest research shows that many people don't require surgery for this common problem, and that chiropractic adjustments is more effective at resolving sciatic nerve issues.

A typical surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, specialists looked at 80 patients 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 was given chiropractic therapy.

Both groups got better; however, no apparent difference in outcome was recorded one year post-treatment between the surgery group and the chiropractic group. In addition, around 60% of the participating subjects who could not find relief from any other treatment approach "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."

Put another way, chiropractic therapy offered the same positive advantages as surgery without needing to endure the increased levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through lengthy recovery times often associated with that type of 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 Patients Find Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery should be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Downtown St. Louis, MO and you're being affected by back issues or sciatica, give Dr. Holland a call today at (314) 588-9100. We'll help pinpoint the start of your pain 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.