Chiropractic Methods Shown as Effective and Cheaper Than Epidural for Treating Herniated Disc Patients

Herniated discs have tormented a number of patients that have been treated in our Holtsville office. Fortunately, Dr. Cohen has helped most of them heal swiftly and more adequately. Herniated discs, also known as "slipped discs", can be treated with a handful of approaches.

If you are feeling discomfort due to a herniated disc, then you are likely wondering which choice will provide the best outcome for you. To support you in settling that inquiry, let's look at two of the most popularly prescribed treatment options: chiropractic and epidural injections.

A Study Compares Results from Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) and Nerve Root Injections (NRI)

A group of researchers studied 102 individuals, all having had chronically herniated discs validated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each patient picked had previously undergone three months of treatment via alternatively applicable treatment options with no significant improvement.

The pack of participants was split into two groups. The first half of the participants underwent high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation treatment (chiropractic treatments). The next half of patients were provided nerve root injections (epidural).

The conductors of the study saved ratings regarding the pain levels of every person in advance of the remedy administered during the study. Then, one month following the receiving of treatment, individuals graded their disc herniation pain on the same range as before. The change between the two reports was used to gauge how successful the remedy may have been for improving discomfort.

What did the researchers conclude about spinal adjustments against epidural injections?

More than 76 percent of the people in the study who were treated with chiropractic adjustments scored a reduction in their pain. On the other hand, less than 63 percent of the participants who were provided epidurals expressed a reduction in pain. These findings indicate that chiropractic treatment could be more successful for looking to reduce herniated disc pain.

And, there’s more. In addition to giving a greater quantity of cohorts highly desired relief from pain, researchers also determined that chiropractic treatment was less expensive. The epidural treatments cost about $730 for a single recipient. Chiropractic care ran less than $560 for the same timespan. This cost savings can surely assist with one’s budget. Spending less can make it easier to look for treatment for your disc herniation pain without additional hardship.

If you want a better chance of effectiveness and lower expenses associated with your herniated disc treatment, give Dr. Cohen a call today at (631) 360-7999 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