Chiropractic Adjustments Shown as Effective and More Economical Than Epidural for Herniated Disc Patients

Herniated discs have burdened uncounted clients that have visited our Decatur practice. Fortunately, Dr. Harrison has assisted most of them recover quickly and more completely. Herniated discs, sometime referred to as "slipped discs", can be treated with a handful of methods.

If you are suffering with discomfort because of a herniated disc, then you are likely querying which selection may work best for you. To help you in fielding that search, let's assess two of the most frequently employed therapies: chiropractic/manipulative therapy and epidural.

A Study Comparing Results from Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) and Nerve Root Injections (NRI)

A body of researchers from Switzerland studied 102 participants, every one of them had chronically herniated discs confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each cohort picked had previously undergone ninety days of care through other accessible treatment options without achieving satisfaction.

The pool of people being studied was split into two subdivision. The first group of the cohorts were assigned to receive high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation treatment (chiropractic treatments). The remaining half of individuals were administered nerve root injections (epidural).

The conductors of the study saved ratings regarding the pain levels of each cohort in advance of the remedy provided amid the study. Then, one month after the receiving of treatment, individuals graded their disc herniation pain on the same scoring system as previously. The change between the two scores was used to determine how effective the care was for improving pain.

What did the researchers conclude about chiropractic adjustments against epidural injections?

Over 76% of the cohorts who engaged in chiropractic treatments recorded a reduction in their pain. In the other group, less than 63 percent of the cohorts who were provided epidurals reported a minimization in discomfort. The results offer that chiropractic care could be more effective for treating to reduce herniated disc discomfort.

And, there is more. In addition to granting a larger number of people highly desired reduction in pain, researchers also identified that spinal manipulation was less expensive. The epidural treatments were roughly $730 for a single participant. Chiropractic care ran approximately $560 for the same time frame. This amount of savings may surely assist with one’s budget. Spending less can make it possible to seek care for your disc herniation pain without additional stress.

If you would like a better likelihood of pain relief and fewer costs associated with your herniated disc care, give Dr. Harrison a call today at (404) 325-2856 to schedule an appointment.

Reference

Peterson, CK et al. (2013, May). Symptomatic magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed lumbar disk herniation patients: a comparative effectiveness prospective observational study of 2 age-and sex-matched cohorts treated with either high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulative therapy or image-guided lumbar nerve root injections. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 36(4), 218-225, doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.04.005