Robert C Slater, DC works with countless sciatica patients here in our Highland Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota office, and many of these individuals were concerned that they might need surgery to treat their pain. The latest research indicates that a large number of people don't require surgery for this widespread problem, and that chiropractic is more beneficial at solving sciatic nerve pain.
A typical surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, researchers examined 80 women and men 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 received chiropractic care.
Both groups got better; however, no apparent difference in results was recorded one year post-treatment between either group. In addition, around sixty percent of the participating subjects who could not find relief from any other treatment approach "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."
Put another way, chiropractic delivered the same positive advantages as surgery without having to undergo the increased levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through lengthy recovery times often associated with that particular treatment method. Additionally, 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 resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Highland Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota and you're suffering from back pain or sciatica, give Robert C Slater, DC a call today at (651) 699-3366. We'll help identify the source of your pain and work hard to get you relief.
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.
