Chiropractic Treatment Superior for Sciatica Than Surgery

Dr. Forsyth works with many sciatica patients here in our Las Vegas office, and many of these patients were afraid that they might require surgery to relieve their pain. The most recent research indicates that a large number of people don't need surgery for this prevalent problem, and that chiropractic therapy is more successful at clearing up sciatic nerve problems.

A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, researchers 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 noticeable difference in results was recorded one year post-treatment between either group. Additionally, roughly sixty 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."

In other words, chiropractic therapy delivered the same positive benefits as surgery without having to endure the higher levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through extended recovery times often associated with that specific 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 Patients Find Relief From Sciatica Pain

Surgery should be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Las Vegas and you're experiencing back discomfort or sciatica, give Dr. Forsyth a call today at (702) 722-2225. We'll help identify the source of your discomfort 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.