Chiropractic Treatment – An Alternative to Surgery for Sciatica

Surgery vs. Chiropractic for Sciatica

The name of the surgery is microdiscectomy, and it has successfully relieved many people with sciatica. However, recent research has suggested that this decompression surgery isn’t the only relief for sciatica. Chiropractic treatment can be just as effective in some instances. Researchers wanted to be sure of that claim so they conducted a study to see how effective the treatment was.

They recruited 40 sciatica patients who were still in pain even though they had already tried different methods of alleviating their pain, such as painkillers, lifestyle changes, massage, and acupuncture. Half of the patients were randomly assigned to surgery and the rest were assigned to receive chiropractic treatment. The results were:

• 85% of the surgery group participants reported significant pain relief.
• 60% of the chiropractic treatment participants reported clear pain improvement.

• Those in the chiropractic group who later decided to have surgery experienced the same rates of improvements as the initial surgery group.

The researchers concluded that chiropractic adjustments may not solve each sciatica case, but that it should still be considered an option before considering surgery, which has various potential risks. Chiropractic treatment is a great way to improve your back pain condition and your nutritional health too.

Your Chiropractor vs. Your Sciatica Pain

Sciatica pain is an extreme form of lower back pain that runs along the sciatic nerve, which starts at the lower back and runs down both legs. The pain can be so terrible that it can cause a person to have to withdraw from taking part in everyday activities. Do you struggle with pain like this? Are you desperately trying to find a solution? Stouffville Health Centre has a solution!

In a recent study, it has been discovered that an episode of sciatica can be soothed and rehabilitated quickly by chiropractic care. Workers with sciatica pain were assessed for posture, gait and range of motion.

In the study, 44 workers who for three or more weeks had experienced agonizing sciatica pain were evaluated by the hospital’s chiropractor. He/she assessed each patient’s posture and gait, palpation of the lumbar spine and range of motion. After two weeks of daily treatment and then treatment three days a week, after 21 days, 42 of the patients returned to work full time. Two returned to work part time.

In conclusion, this study goes to show that chiropractic care offers benefits to those suffering with sciatic pain. If you are looking for an alternative to surgery for your sciatica, contact our chiropractor in Stouffville for an assessment and treatment.