Nonoperative Management of Herniated Discs

BigBrain Insights:

• When I first started practicing there were no MRI s or CT scans but we still treated herniated disc frequently. Once the disc could be visualize by MRI, people were scared into needless surgery rather than taking the time needed to heal. The following article in the New York Times illustrates a much too common example of someone who underwent surgery as a result of a bad MRI scan.
• The most important points in this article are: herniated or extruded discs can be treated by conservative chiropractic care and a rehabilitation program over an average of 9 months. Post MRIs demonstrated significant positive changes relative to the discs without surgery.
• In this study NO patients achieve an outcome in the poor category with conservative non surgical management.
• If you’ve been told you need surgery, feel free to contact us to discuss alternatives

Full article:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8875719