Chiropractic Therapy More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Elganainy works with countless sciatica patients here in our Burton office, and quite a few of these patients were nervous that they might require surgery to treat their pain. The most recent research shows that many people don't need surgery for this common issue, and that chiropractic treatment is more successful at solving sciatic nerve discomfort.

A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians looked at 80 patients with sciatica who were referred for this procedure.

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 adjustments.

Both groups improved; however, no noticeable difference in outcome was reported one year post-treatment between either group. Furthermore, about 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."

In other words, chiropractic care delivered the same positive advantages as surgery without needing to endure the higher levels 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, which includes nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help People Find Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery should be the last option for sciatica pain. If you live in Burton and you're suffering from back issues or sciatica, give Dr. Elganainy a call today at (810) 715-7746. We'll help pinpoint the source of your issues and work hard to get you relief 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.