Disc Herniation and Chiropractic Care

Dr. Fritz sees many people weekly in our busy Jacksonville and Fleming Island chiropractic office who are searching for relief from the discomfort and agony they feel due to herniated discs. Our experience isn't unique; the medical literature verifies that chiropractic therapy is a great way to treat herniated disc pain.

Don't Suffer! Dr. Fritz and Chiropractic Treatment Helps With Disc Herniation

One particular research project 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 subjects documented that they were experiencing pain, diminished range of motion, and sensory problems bad enough to keep them off work.

During the course of the research period, the subjects were managed using one of two common chiropractic practices: traction for herniated discs in the cervical area or flexion distraction for the patients who had herniation issues in the lumbar area.

Each individual was seen 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 severity of the disc herniation, therapy varied anywhere from six weeks to six months, with MRIs being performed at various stages to identify what impact, if any, the chiropractic care was having in regard to the disc herniation.

Research Supports Chiropractic Adjustments Helps With Back Issues and Herniated Disc

The researchers reported that 80 percent of the subjects experienced a "good clinical outcome," meaning reduced discomfort and a reduction in other symptoms, such as numbness. Furthermore, 77% 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 work and led the authors to conclude that chiropractic care is both "safe and helpful" for disc herniations.

If you have a herniated disc and suffer from chronic back pain and are near Dr. Fritz in Jacksonville and Fleming Island, contact our office today to see what chiropractic care 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.