Chiropractic and Disc Herniation Treatment

Dr. Kristin Eloshway-Kidgell sees many people weekly in our busy St. Petersburg, FL chiropractic office who are searching for relief from the pain and distress they feel due to herniated discs. Our experience isn't unique; the medical research verifies that chiropractic is an effective way to treat herniated disc pain.

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 problems bad enough to keep them off work.

During the course of the research study, the individuals were treated 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 weekly, and then as needed for the remainder of the study. Depending on the seriousness of the disc herniation, therapy varied anywhere from six weeks to six months, with MRIs being conducted at a variety of stages to determine what impact, if any, the chiropractic care was having in regard to the disc herniation.

The researchers found that 80 percent of the patients obtained a "good clinical outcome," meaning reduced pain and a reduction in other issues, such as numbness. Additionally, 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 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 Dr. Kristin Eloshway-Kidgell in St. Petersburg, FL, 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.