Disc Herniation and Chiropractic

Gadsden Family Chiropractic sees many people weekly in our busy Gadsden, AL chiropractic office who are searching for relief from the pain and suffering they feel due to herniated discs. Our experience isn't unique; the medical research verifies that chiropractic is a great way to treat herniated disc problems.

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 people reported that they were experiencing pain, reduced range of motion, and sensory issues bad enough to keep them off work.

Over 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 men and women 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 each week, and then as needed for the remainder of the study. Depending on the severity of the disc herniation, treatment ranged anywhere from six weeks to six months, with MRIs being conducted at various stages to determine what effect, if any, the chiropractic care was having in regard to the disc herniation.

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

If you have a herniated disc and you're near Gadsden Family Chiropractic in Gadsden, AL, contact our office today to see what chiropractic 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.