Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments Found Effective and More Economical Than Epidural for Herniated Disc Discomfort

Herniated discs have bothered many patients that have come to our Corvallis office. Fortunately, Dr. Lach has assisted plenty of them rebound speedily and more adequately. Herniated discs, also known as "slipped discs", can be treated with several different strategies.

If you are feeling discomfort due to a herniated disc, then you are likely querying which option may work best for you. To help you in fielding that inquiry, let's review two of the most frequently used therapies: chiropractic and epidural.

A Study Observed Outcomes from Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) and Nerve Root Injections (NRI)

A group of researchers from Switzerland recruited 102 participants, all of whom had chronically herniated discs confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Every cohort picked had already undergone ninety days of treatment via other available treatment options without achieving satisfaction.

The body of individuals was split into two treatment paths. One group of the participants were assigned to receive high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation treatment (chiropractic treatments). The next half of people in the study were given nerve root injections (epidural).

The organizers of the study obtained ratings regarding the pain levels of each person in advance of the treatment provided in the time of the research. Then, 30 days after the receiving of treatment, cohorts rated their disc herniation pain on the same scale as previously. The difference in the two reports was used to determine how useful the intervention was for remediating pain.

What did the study determine in regards to chiropractic adjustments versus epidurals?

Greater than 76 percent of the participants who were provided chiropractic adjustments reported a decrease in their pain. In the other group, less than 63 percent of the individuals who were administered epidurals expressed a reduction in discomfort. The data offer that chiropractic care could be more successful for caring for to reduce herniated disc discomfort.

And, there’s more. Beyond providing a larger quantity of individuals some much needed relief from pain, researchers also discovered that chiropractic treatment was lower in cost. The epidural treatments cost about $730 per a single participant. Chiropractic care was approximately $560 for the same timespan. This cost savings may certainly assist with one’s health care expenses. A lower cost may make it more probable to look for care of your disc herniation pain without added worry.

If you are interested in a greater probability of effectiveness and fewer expenses when it comes to your herniated disc treatment, give Dr. Lach a call today at (541) 754-1947 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