Chiropractic Care More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Avoid Sciatica Surgery With Chiropractic Therapy in Estero, Bonita Springs

Dr. Green works with countless sciatica patients here in our Estero, Bonita Springs office, and several of these men and women were afraid that they might need surgery to alleviate their pain. The most recent research shows that a large number of people don't need surgery for this widespread issue, and that chiropractic treatment is more successful at solving sciatic nerve problems.

A common surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, researchers looked at 80 individuals with sciatica who were referred for this procedure.

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 adjustments.

Both groups improved; however, no noticeable difference in results was recorded one year post-treatment between the surgery group and the chiropractic group. Furthermore, roughly 60% of the participating subjects who could not find assistance from any other treatment method "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."

Simply put, chiropractic care delivered the same positive benefits as surgery without having to undergo the increased amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through drawn-out recovery times often associated with that specific 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 option for sciatica pain. If you live in Estero, Bonita Springs and you're being affected by back discomfort or sciatica, give Dr. Green a call today at (239) 495-1166. We'll help determine the origin of your problems and work hard to get you support 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.