Chiropractic Care Shown as Effective and Cheaper Than Epidural for Herniated Disc Patients

Herniated discs have burdened uncounted patients that have been treated in our Cary office. Fortunately, Swiss Spine Clinic has assisted many of them bounce back speedily and more adequately. Herniated discs, sometime referred to as "slipped discs", can be treated with multiple strategies.

If you are experiencing pain caused by a herniated disc, then you are likely asking which selection will work best for you. To help you in solving that inquiry, let's review two of the most commonly employed treatment options: chiropractic and epidural.

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

A group of researchers from Switzerland compared 102 participants, all having had chronically herniated discs verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each participant picked had already received 90 days of care through other applicable treatment options with no satisfaction.

The pack of participants was divided into two groups. One half of the participants were treated with high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation treatment (chiropractic adjustments). The rest of cohorts were administered nerve root injections (epidural).

The conductors of the study gathered ratings in regards to the pain levels of each patient in advance of the remedy given amid the research. Later, 30 days after treatment, individuals rated their disc herniation discomfort on the same scoring system as previously. The change in the two reports was used to calculate how effective the treatment may have been for relieving discomfort.

What did the study find in regards to spinal adjustments compared to epidural injections?

Greater than 76 percent of the individuals who received chiropractic care expressed a positive change in their pain. In the other half, not quite 63% of the patients who engaged in epidurals reported an improvement in discomfort. The results imply that chiropractic adjustments may be more successful when caring for to remediate herniated disc discomfort.

And, there is more. In addition to providing a higher number of individuals greatly appreciated relief from pain, researchers also uncovered that spinal manipulation was less expensive. Epidural treatments were roughly $730 per a single individual. Chiropractic care ran approximately $560 for the same time frame. This amount of savings can certainly assist with anyone’s medical expenses. A lower cost can make it more conceivable to look for care for your disc herniation pain without additional stress.

If you are interested in a higher chance of effectiveness and fewer costs associated with your herniated disc care, give Swiss Spine Clinic a call today at (919) 589-0909 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