Chiropractic More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Neil Scharf works with many sciatica patients here in our Parkland, FL office, and many of these individuals were afraid that they might need surgery to treat their pain. The latest research indicates that many people don't need 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, specialists examined 80 individuals with sciatica who were referred for this operation.

Forty patients were then randomly sorted into one of two groups. The first group received 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. In addition, roughly 60% of the participating patients 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 delivered the same positive advantages as surgery without needing to endure the higher amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through lengthy recovery times often affiliated with that specific treatment choice. Plus, you also don't run the risks affiliated with surgical microdiscectomy, including nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

Surgery ought to be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Parkland, FL and you're experiencing back pain or sciatica, give Dr. Neil Scharf a call today at (954) 227-0088. We'll help identify the start 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.