Chiropractic Found to Be Safe and Helpful for Disc Herniation

Dr. Poelking sees many patients weekly in our busy Kettering chiropractic office who are trying to find relief from the pain and agony they feel due to herniated discs. Our experience isn't unique; the medical research verifies that chiropractic treatment is an effective way to treat herniated disc pain.

Don't Suffer! Dr. Poelking and Chiropractic Adjustments Helps With Disc Herniation

One particular 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 subjects documented that they were experiencing pain, diminished range of motion, and sensory issues bad enough to keep them off work.

Over the course of the research period, the individuals were managed using one of two common chiropractic practices: traction for herniated discs in the cervical area or flexion distraction for the people who had herniation issues in the low back.

Each individual was seen four or five times per week for the first two weeks, then three times weekly, and then as needed for the rest of the study. Depending on the seriousness of the disc herniation, therapy varied anywhere from six weeks to six months, with MRIs being carried out at various stages to identify what impact, if any, the chiropractic care was having in regard to the disc herniation.

Research Supports Chiropractic Care Helps With Back Issues and Herniated Disc

The investigators found that 80% of the participants experienced a "good clinical outcome," meaning reduced discomfort and a reduction in other issues, such as numbness. Also, 77 percent of these men and women also showed MRI evidence that their disc herniation was either reduced or resolved completely. This resulted in 78% of the study participants being able to return to their place of work and led the authors to conclude that chiropractic is both "safe and helpful" for disc herniations.

If you have a herniated disc and suffer from chronic back pain and are near Dr. Poelking in Kettering, contact our office today to see what chiropractic care 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.