Avoid Sciatica Surgery With Chiropractic Therapy

Dr. Marsh works with countless sciatica patients here in our West New York office, and quite a few of these individuals were concerned that they might require surgery to relieve 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 effective at clearing up sciatic nerve problems.

A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians examined 80 women and men 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 improved; however, no noticeable difference in outcome was recorded one year post-treatment between either group. Additionally, about sixty percent of the participating patients who could not find pain 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 provided the same positive benefits as surgery without needing to go through the higher amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through extended recovery times often affiliated with that particular treatment choice. Additionally, you also don't run the risks linked to surgical microdiscectomy, including nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help People Find Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery should be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in West New York and you're experiencing back discomfort or sciatica, give Dr. Marsh a call today at (201) 869-0830. We'll help pinpoint the source 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.