Chiropractic Treatment Methods Concluded to Be Effective and Cheaper Than Epidural for Treating Herniated Disc Patients

Herniated discs have burdened many patients that have visited our Woburn practice. Fortunately, Dr. Ellis has assisted plenty of them rebound swiftly and more completely. Herniated discs, also known as "slipped discs", can be treated with several different approaches.

If you are suffering with discomfort caused by a herniated disc, then you are likely wondering which option may work best for you. To support you in settling that search, let's assess two of the most popularly used therapies: chiropractic and epidural.

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

A group of researchers studied 102 patients, all of whom had chronically herniated discs confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Every cohort picked had previously received three months of treatment through alternatively available remedies with no satisfaction.

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

The researchers obtained scores regarding the pain levels of each person in advance of the remedy given in the time of the study. Then, 30 days following care, cohorts graded their disc herniation discomfort on the same scoring system as at the beginning. The difference between the two grades was applied to calculate how useful the care was for improving discomfort.

What did the study uncover about spinal manipulations compared to nerve root injections?

Over 76% of the individuals who were treated with chiropractic adjustments reported an improvement in their pain. On the other hand, fewer than 63% of the patients who were provided epidurals scored a reduction in pain. The figures offer that chiropractic care could be more successful for looking to reduce herniated disc pain.

On top of that, there’s more. In addition to providing a larger quantity of cohorts greatly appreciated pain relief, researchers also gleaned that chiropractic care was lower in cost. Epidural treatments cost about $730 for a single participant. Chiropractic care cost less than $560 for the same time frame. This type of savings can surely help with one’s medical expenses. Spending less can make it more conceivable to obtain care of your disc herniation pain without additional hardship.

If you would like a greater likelihood of pain relief and lower costs when it comes to your herniated disc treatment, give Dr. Ellis a call today at (781) 460-0939 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