Avoid Sciatica Surgery With Chiropractic Therapy

Dr. Bettencourt works with countless sciatica patients here in our Napa office, and many of these individuals were afraid that they might require surgery to alleviate their pain. The latest research indicates that a large number of people don't require surgery for this common problem, and that chiropractic adjustments is more beneficial at resolving sciatic nerve issues.

A common surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, researchers examined 80 women and men with sciatica who were referred for this procedure.

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 therapy.

Both groups improved; however, no apparent difference in results was recorded one year post-treatment between the surgery group and the chiropractic group. Additionally, about sixty percent of the participating subjects who could not find relief from any other treatment method "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."

Put another way, chiropractic therapy offered the same positive advantages as surgery without needing to undergo the increased levels of surgery-based pain or suffer through drawn-out recovery times often associated with that specific 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 Patients Find Comfort From Sciatica Pain

Surgery ought to be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Napa and you're suffering from back discomfort or sciatica, give Dr. Bettencourt a call today at (707) 257-3600. We'll help determine the start 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.