December 2013 Chiropractic Tip: Disc Herniation of the Neck & Chiropractic

A recent study in which 50 patients (68% male, average age of 44 years old) with neck pain and moderate to severe arm pain and MRI-confirmed cervical(neck) disc herniations received chiropractic care (treatments were performed 3-5 times a week for the first 2-4 weeks, and then 1-3 times a week thereafter until the patient had reduced symtpoms).  A follow-up was conducted after 3 months.  Pertinent results include:

• Two weeks after the first treatment, 55.3% of all patients reported that they had significantly improved. At this point, no one reported worsening of their symptoms.
• At 1 month after the first treatment, 68.9% of individuals were significantly improved, with only one patient reporting being slightly worse (this patient was in the subacute/chronic group).
• By 3 months,  85.7% of patients noted significant improvement.

The results speak for themselves....if you or someone you know is suffering from a disc hernation, make sure Chiropractic care is considered. It' safe, effective, and involves NO DRUGS OR SURGERY!!!

Reference:

Peterson CK, Schmid C, Leemann S et al. Outcomes from Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Confirmed Symptomatic Cervical Disk Herniation Patients Treated with High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Prospective Cohort Study With 3-Month Follow-Up. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 2013; 36: 461-467.