Bridesburg Spine and Injury Clinic works with many sciatica patients here in our Philadelphia office, and many of these men and women were concerned that they might require surgery to treat their pain. The latest research reveals that many people don't require surgery for this prevalent issue, and that chiropractic therapy is more successful at resolving sciatic nerve issues.
A common surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians examined 80 patients 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 was given chiropractic treatment.
Both groups improved; however, no apparent difference in outcome was reported one year post-treatment between either group. Additionally, roughly 60 percent of the participating patients who could not find pain relief from any other treatment method "benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention."
Simply put, chiropractic therapy provided the same positive benefits as surgery without needing to endure the increased amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through lengthy recovery times often associated with that particular treatment option. Additionally, you also don't run the risks affiliated with surgical microdiscectomy, such as nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.
Surgery ought to be the last resort for sciatica pain. If you live in Philadelphia and you're suffering from back discomfort or sciatica, give Bridesburg Spine and Injury Clinic a call today at (215) 743-5330. We'll help pinpoint the source of your pain and work hard to get you support and living pain free.
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