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A study shows that spinal manipulation is just as effective as microdiskectomy for patients struggling with sciatica secondary to lumbar disk herniation.

The JMPT (1) study was co-authored by one doctor of chiropractic and two neurosurgeons. Here are the take-home points:

  • “[M]ore than 200,000 microdiskectomies are performed annually in the United States, at a direct cost of $5 billion or $25,000 per procedure.”
  • “[C]onsenting participants were chosen randomly to receive either an average of 21 chiropractic sessions over a year or a single microdiskectomy.”
  • “If cost is assumed at $100 per chiropractic visit, there is a direct, total savings of $22,900 per manipulation patient. System-wide, this could save $2.75 billion dollars annually.”
  • “Our research supports spinal manipulation performed by a doctor of chiropractic is a valuable and safe treatment option for those experiencing symptomatic LDH [lumbar disk herniation], failing traditional medical management.”

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h)

  1. McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ. Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. JMPT, October 2010;33(8):576-84.

Posted via email from ProActive Chiropractic in San Francisco, California