Avoiding Sciatica Surgery with Chiropractic

Sciatica is a common type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve, a large nerve extending from the lower back down the back of each leg. Often, sciatica patients are nervous that they might need 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 is more effective at resolving sciatic nerve pain.

A typical surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy. In a 2010 study, specialists examined 80 patients with sciatica who were referred for this procedure. Forty patients were then randomly placed in one of two groups. The first group received surgical microdiscectomy and the second group received chiropractic care.

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

In other words, chiropractic offered the same positive benefits as surgery without needing to undergo the pain related to surgery or suffer through lengthy recovery times often associated with that type of treatment choice. In addition, patients receiving chiropractic care also didn't face the risks associated with surgical microdiscectomy, including nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

Surgery ought to be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you are being affected by back pain or sciatica, Patrick Chiropractic is here to help. Give our office a call today at 919-790-2288 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dale Patrick. We'll help identify the source of your pain and provide excellent care to bring relief.