Chiropractic Therapy More Effective for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Scharf works with many sciatica patients here in our Parkland office, and many of these patients were worried that they might need surgery to relieve their pain. The latest research shows that a large number of people don't need surgery for this prevalent issue, and that chiropractic care is more beneficial at clearing up sciatic nerve pain.

A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians examined 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 adjustments.

Both groups improved; however, no noticeable difference in outcome was recorded one year post-treatment between either group. Additionally, around sixty percent of the participating patients who could not find relief from any other treatment method "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."

Simply put, chiropractic treatment provided the same positive advantages as surgery without having to undergo the increased levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through drawn-out recovery times often affiliated with that particular treatment choice. Plus, you also don't run the risks associated with surgical microdiscectomy, which includes nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help People Find Comfort From Sciatica Pain

Surgery ought to be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Parkland and you're being affected by back discomfort or sciatica, give Dr. Scharf a call today at (954) 227-0088. We'll help pinpoint the origin of your problems 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.