Dr. Helton works with many sciatica patients here in our Portland office, and quite a few of these patients were afraid that they might need surgery to treat their pain. The most recent research shows that many people don't require surgery for this widespread problem, and that chiropractic is more successful at resolving sciatic nerve pain.
A popular surgery for sciatica is microdiscectomy, and in a 2010 study, physicians examined 80 individuals with sciatica who were referred for this procedure.
Forty patients were then randomly sorted into one of two groups. The first group received surgical microdiscectomy and the second group was given chiropractic care.
Both groups got better; however, no apparent difference in outcome was reported one year post-treatment between either group. Furthermore, 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 offered the same positive advantages as surgery without having to undergo the higher amounts of surgery-based pain or suffer through extended recovery times often affiliated with that type of treatment choice. Plus, you also don't run the risks linked to 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 live in Portland and you're suffering from back pain or sciatica, give Dr. Helton a call today at (503) 771-1974. We'll help determine the source of your pain and work hard to get you relief.
References
Dr. Helton, a Portland chiropractor, has been providing chiropractic health care and treatment for accident injuries for over 30 years. Dr. Helton specializes and is an expert in the evaluation and treatment of injuries from auto accidents. He has passed advanced certification training and testing by the Spine Research Institute of San Diego in the evaluation, treatment, and management of injuries from whiplash and brain traumatology.
