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

Herniated discs have tormented a number of patients that have been treated in our Ronkonkoma practice. Fortunately, Dr. Priolo has helped most of them bounce back quickly and more completely. Herniated discs, also known as "slipped discs", can be treated with several different remedies.

If you are experiencing irritation because of a herniated disc, then you may be wondering which choice will provide the best outcome for you. To help you in finding an answer to that inquiry, let's assess two of the most commonly selected therapies: chiropractic/manipulative therapy and epidural.

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

A group of researchers studied 102 patients, all of whom had chronically herniated discs verified by medical imaging. Every person selected had already received 90 days of care via alternatively applicable treatment options without achieving success.

The pack of people being studied was split into two groups. The first half of the cohorts were assigned to receive high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation treatment (chiropractic adjustments). The next half of patients were administered nerve root injections (epidural).

The conductors of the study collected scores about the pain levels of each patient before the treatment provided at the time of the research. Later, 30 days after care, individuals graded their disc herniation pain on the same scale as before. The change in the two reports was used to determine how successful the care was for relieving discomfort.

What did the study conclude about chiropractic adjustments versus nerve root injections?

Greater than 76 percent of the cohorts who engaged in chiropractic treatments expressed a decrease in their discomfort. In the other group, fewer than 63% of the individuals who received epidurals expressed a reduction in discomfort. The figures imply that chiropractic treatment could possibly be more successful for looking to resolve herniated disc pain.

On top of that, there is more. In addition to giving a higher number of patients greatly appreciated reduction in pain, researchers also discovered that chiropractic care was more affordable. Nerve root injection treatments cost about $730 for a single participant. Chiropractic treatment ran less than $560 for the same duration. This type of savings may surely help with one’s health care expenses. Spending less may make it more viable to seek care for your disc herniation pain without extra hardship.

If you would like a higher likelihood of pain relief and fewer expenses when it comes to your herniated disc care, give Dr. Priolo a call today at (631) 676-6324 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