Chiropractic Adjustments Found Effective and Cheaper Than Epidural for Treating Herniated Disc Diagnosis

Herniated discs have tormented uncounted clients that have visited our Port Coquitlam office. Fortunately, Dr. Olson has helped plenty of them rebound quickly and more completely. Herniated discs, also known as "slipped discs", can be treated with a handful of remedies.

If you are feeling irritation because of a herniated disc, then you are likely asking which choice will provide the best outcome for you. To help you in fielding that search, let's assess two of the most popularly prescribed therapies: chiropractic/manipulative therapy and epidural.

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

A body of researchers from Switzerland studied 102 patients, all having had chronically herniated discs verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each person selected had already undergone 90 days of care via alternatively applicable remedies without achieving success.

The body of patients was divided into two treatment paths. The first half of the participants underwent high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation treatment (chiropractic treatments). The second half of individuals were provided nerve root injections (epidural).

The conductors of the study gathered ratings regarding the pain levels of every cohort prior to the treatment given in the course of the study. Later, 30 days following treatment, individuals reported their disc herniation discomfort on the same range as at the beginning. The change between the two scores was used to gauge how useful the treatment may have been for improving discomfort.

What did the study determine in regards to chiropractic adjustments compared to epidural injections?

Just over 76% of the patients who were given chiropractic care expressed a decrease in their pain. On the other hand, not quite 63 percent of the individuals who received epidurals recorded a reduction in discomfort. These data offer that chiropractic adjustments may be more effective when looking to remediate herniated disc discomfort.

And, that isn't all. Beyond providing a greater number of people some much needed reduction in pain, researchers also determined that spinal manipulation was more cost-effective. Nerve root injection treatments were roughly $730 for each patient. The chiropractic care ran less than $560 for an equal period of time. This type of savings could certainly assist with one’s medical expenses. A lower cost may make it more probable to obtain care for your disc herniation pain without extra burden.

If you want a better likelihood of success and lesser costs when it comes to your herniated disc care, give Dr. Olson a call today at (604) 941-4596 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