Reduced Risk of Surgery

Surgery is an extreme option for treating patients. Not only are there risks during the surgery itself, but there are also risks after surgery for complications. Any time we have to go under the knife for any reason, we run risks such as infections and long recovery times. It can be grueling to recover from major surgery while our body heals.

As a result, we typically want to keep surgery as a last resort option and look for other ways of healing first. This is especially true if the surgery is in relation to pain and mobility. Back surgery due to herniated discs is a major surgery that impacts our ability to move. So, how do we reduce our need for surgery? According to research, chiropractic care! Researchers reviewed chiropractic care in a recent study of adults aged 18-49 recently diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation (a displacement of disc material). While surgery can often be recommended for disc herniations, researchers found that chiropractic care can help prevent that!

In fact, at a 2-year follow-up, patients had significantly reduced chances for surgery recommendations! Through chiropractic adjustments, patients were able to improve their condition. Restoring the spine to proper alignment allows the body to heal more naturally!

Trager RJ, Daniels CJ, Perez JA, et al. Association between chiropractic spinal manipulation and lumbar discectomy in adults with lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy: retrospective cohort study using United States’ data. BMJ Open 2022;12:e068262. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2022-068262