Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Concluded to Be Effective and More Economical Than Epidural for Herniated Disc Diagnosis

Herniated discs have afflicted many clients that have been treated in our Rutland practice. Fortunately, Dr. Cyr has assisted a lot of them heal quickly and more adequately. Herniated discs, or "slipped discs", can be treated with a handful of methods.

If you are experiencing pain caused by a herniated disc, then you are likely asking which choice may provide the best outcome for you. To help you in fielding that question, let's review two of the most popularly employed treatments: chiropractic/manipulative therapy and lumbar nerve root injection/epidural.

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

A body of researchers from Switzerland studied 102 individuals, all having had chronically herniated discs validated by medical imaging. Every cohort selected had previously undergone three months of treatment via other available treatment options without achieving success.

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

The conductors of the study gathered ratings in regards to the pain levels of every patient before the remedy given in the time of the research. Then, one month after treatment, cohorts reported their disc herniation discomfort on the same scale as previously. The difference between the two scores was applied to measure how effective the treatment may have been for relieving pain.

What did the study determine in regards to spinal manipulations compared to epidural injections?

More than 76% of the people in the study who engaged in chiropractic treatments expressed a positive change in their discomfort. On the other hand, not quite 63% of the cohorts who were provided epidurals recorded an improvement in pain. These scores indicate that chiropractic care could be more effective for looking to remediate herniated disc discomfort.

And, that isn't everything. In addition to giving a greater amount of cohorts greatly appreciated reduction in pain, researchers also found that spinal manipulation was lower in cost. Nerve root injection treatments were roughly $730 per a single individual. The chiropractic care ran approximately $560 for an equal duration. This amount of savings could certainly help with anyone’s medical expenses. Saving money may make it possible to seek treatment for your disc herniation pain without added hardship.

If you would like a greater likelihood of effectiveness and fewer costs associated with your herniated disc treatment, give Dr. Cyr a call today at (802) 775-6961 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