Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments Shown as Effective and Cheaper Than Epidural for Treating Herniated Disc Patients

Herniated discs have burdened a number of people that have visited our Alpharetta office. Fortunately, Dr. Berklich has helped many of them recover swiftly and more adequately. Herniated discs, also known as "slipped discs", can be treated with a handful of remedies.

If you are experiencing irritation caused by a herniated disc, then you are likely querying which option will provide the best outcome for you. To help you in solving that inquiry, let's assess two of the most popularly prescribed treatment options: chiropractic/manipulative therapy and lumbar nerve root injection/epidural.

Research Compares Results from Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) and Nerve Root Injections (NRI)

A group of researchers from Switzerland studied 102 patients, all having had chronically herniated discs validated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each participant chosen had already received 90 days of treatment through alternatively applicable remedies without achieving satisfaction.

The pool of patients was divided into two subdivision. The first half of the individuals were assigned to receive high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation treatment (chiropractic adjustments). The remaining half of individuals were given nerve root injections (epidural).

The conductors of the study gathered scores about the pain levels of every person in advance of the treatment given in the course of the study. Then, 30 days after care, participants rated their disc herniation pain on the same range as previously. The change between the two scores was used to calculate how useful the intervention may have been for relieving discomfort.

What did the study uncover in regards to spinal adjustments against nerve root injections?

More than 76 percent of the people in the study who were provided chiropractic adjustments scored a positive change in their pain. On the other side, less than 63 percent of the cohorts who were administered epidurals indicated a reduction in discomfort. These findings imply that chiropractic adjustments could possibly be more effective when looking to reduce herniated disc pain.

On top of that, there is more. In addition to giving a larger count of cohorts some much needed relief from pain, researchers also found that spinal manipulation was more cost-effective. Epidural treatments cost about $730 for a single participant. Chiropractic care ran just under $560 for the same time frame. This type of savings could certainly help with your health care expenses. Saving money may make it feasible to look for care for your disc herniation pain without additional anxiety.

If you want a better likelihood of pain relief and lower expenses when it comes to your herniated disc treatment, give Dr. Berklich a call today at (770) 475-2225 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