Chiropractic Superior for Sciatica Than Surgery

Chiropractic Superior for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Jerrad Swanson DC, FMT, DN1 works with many sciatica patients here in our Lincoln office, and quite a few of these individuals were worried that they might need surgery to eliminate their pain. The most recent research indicates that many people don't need surgery for this widespread problem, and that chiropractic is more effective at solving sciatic nerve pain.

A common surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, researchers 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 was to receive surgical microdiscectomy and the second group was given chiropractic care.

Both groups improved; however, no noticeable difference in results was recorded one year post-treatment between either group. Additionally, roughly sixty percent of the participating patients 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 offered the same positive benefits as surgery without having to endure the higher amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through extended recovery times often affiliated with that type of treatment choice. Additionally, you also don't run the risks affiliated with surgical microdiscectomy, including nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

Surgery should be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Lincoln and you're being affected by back pain or sciatica, give Dr. Jerrad Swanson DC, FMT, DN1 a call today at (402) 484-5177. 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.