Dr. Forsyth works with many sciatica patients here in our Las Vegas office, and many of these individuals were concerned that they might need surgery to treat their pain. The most recent research indicates that a large number of people don't need surgery for this widespread problem, and that chiropractic therapy is more beneficial at clearing up sciatic nerve problems.
A typical surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, researchers examined 80 patients with sciatica who were referred for this procedure.
Forty patients were then randomly sorted into one of two groups. The first group received surgical microdiscectomy and the second group was given chiropractic therapy.
Both groups got better; however, no noticeable difference in outcome was reported one year post-treatment between the surgery group and the chiropractic group. Additionally, roughly 60 percent of the participating patients who could not find pain relief from any other treatment approach "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."
Simply put, chiropractic care offered the same positive benefits as surgery without needing to go through the higher levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through drawn-out recovery times often associated with that particular treatment option. Plus, you also don't run the risks associated with surgical microdiscectomy, which includes nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.
Surgery should be the last option for sciatica pain. If you live in Las Vegas and you're suffering from back discomfort or sciatica, give Dr. Forsyth a call today at (702) 722-2225. We'll help identify the start of your issues and work hard to get you relief and living pain free.
References
Dr. Bobby Forsyth, DC is a Chiropractor in Las Vegas, NV. He is accepting new patients. Be sure to call ahead with Dr. Forsyth to book an appointment.
