Avoid Sciatica Surgery With Chiropractic Care

Dr. Scharf works with many sciatica patients here in our Parkland office, and many of these individuals were worried that they might require surgery to eliminate their pain. The most recent research indicates that many people don't need surgery for this common problem, and that chiropractic treatment is more effective at clearing up sciatic nerve pain.

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

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

Both groups got better; however, no apparent difference in results was reported one year post-treatment between the surgery group and the chiropractic group. In addition, about 60 percent of the participating patients who could not find assistance from any other treatment method "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."

Put another way, chiropractic care provided the same positive benefits as surgery without having to undergo the greater levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through extended recovery times often affiliated with that type of treatment option. Plus, you also don't run the risks associated with surgical microdiscectomy, such as nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

We Can Help Clients Find Comfort From Sciatica Pain

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