Chiropractic Treatment Better for Sciatica Than Surgery

Avoid Sciatica Surgery With Chiropractic Care

Dr. Zapf works with countless sciatica patients here in our Fairfax office, and many of these individuals were afraid that they might need surgery to relieve their pain. The most recent research shows that many people don't need surgery for this prevalent issue, and that chiropractic treatment is more effective at resolving sciatic nerve discomfort.

A common surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians examined 80 individuals with sciatica who were referred for this operation.

Forty patients were then randomly placed in one of two groups. The first group received surgical microdiscectomy and the second group was given chiropractic care.

Both groups improved; however, no apparent difference in outcome was reported one year post-treatment between either group. In addition, about 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 treatment delivered the same positive advantages as surgery without having to undergo the greater levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through drawn-out recovery times often affiliated with that specific treatment choice. Additionally, 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 Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery ought to be the last option for sciatica pain. If you live in Fairfax and you're suffering from back pain or sciatica, give Dr. Zapf a call today at (703) 455-9555. We'll help identify 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.