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Chiropractic More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Chiropractic More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Ernst works with many sciatica patients here in our Arlington office, and quite a few of these patients were afraid that they might need surgery to alleviate their pain. The latest research shows that many people don't require surgery for this common issue, and that chiropractic is more beneficial at clearing up sciatic nerve pain.

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 placed in one of two groups. The first group was to receive surgical microdiscectomy and the second group received chiropractic care.

Both groups improved; however, no noticeable difference in outcome was reported one year post-treatment between either group. Furthermore, about 60 percent 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 provided the same positive advantages as surgery without having to endure the greater levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through lengthy recovery times often associated with that type of treatment choice. Plus, you also don't run the risks linked to surgical microdiscectomy, which includes nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

Surgery should be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Arlington and you're suffering from back pain or sciatica, give Dr. Ernst a call today at (360) 659-8464. We'll help pinpoint the origin of your pain and work hard to get you relief.

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.
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February 21, 2022
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Dr. Ernst

Arlington Chiropractor, Dr. Loren Ernst explains, “Chiropractic care, combined with sound nutritional choices and adequate exercise can have a profound effect on patients’ lives. Our mission is to help our patients understand how a healthy nervous system can improve their quality of life and give them their lives back.”