Disc Herniation and Chiropractic Therapy

Dr. Ellis sees many people weekly in our busy Woburn chiropractic office who are looking for relief from the discomfort and suffering they feel due to herniated discs. Our experience isn't unique; the medical research verifies that chiropractic adjustments is an effective way to treat herniated disc problems.

Don't Suffer! Dr. Ellis and Chiropractic Care Helps With Disc Herniation

One particular research study involved 27 people, 8 male and 19 female, who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirming a disc herniation in either their neck or lower back. The men and women documented that they were experiencing pain, reduced range of motion, and sensory problems bad enough to keep them off work.

During the course of the research period, the subjects were managed using one of two common chiropractic techniques: traction for herniated discs in the cervical area or flexion distraction for the patients who had herniation issues in the low back.

Each individual was treated four or five times per week for the first two weeks, then three times weekly, and then as needed for the remainder of the study. Depending on the severity of the disc herniation, therapy ranged anywhere from six weeks to six months, with MRIs being performed at a variety of stages to identify what effect, if any, the chiropractic care was having in regard to the disc herniation.

Research Shows Chiropractic Treatment Helps With Back Issues and Herniated Disc

The investigators reported that 80 percent of the subjects enjoyed a "good clinical outcome," meaning reduced pain and a reduction in other symptoms, such as numbness. Additionally, 77 percent of these subjects also showed MRI evidence that their disc herniation was either reduced or resolved completely. This resulted in 78% of the study subjects being able to return to their place of employment and led the authors to conclude that chiropractic adjustments is both "safe and helpful" for disc herniations.

If you have a herniated disc and suffer from chronic back pain and are near Dr. Ellis in Woburn, contact our office today to see what chiropractic adjustments can do for you!

Reference
BenEliyahu, DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1996;19(9):597-606.