Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsChiropractic CareSurgeryWhich Is Best?Can They Be Used Together?Coping With the Side Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Chiropractic Care
Surgery
Which Is Best?
Can They Be Used Together?
Coping With the Side Effects
Among the treatments for aherniated disc, also known as a bulging or slipped disc, are surgery andchiropractic therapy. A herniated disc arises when the cartilage discs that cushion thevertebrae(the bones of the spine) move out of position and burst. Surgery for a herniated disc involves removing or repairing the disc, while chiropractic treatment is nonsurgical and can also help with symptoms.
Though both treatments have the same goals, there are key differences between them. This article highlights the differences between chiropractic treatment and surgery for a herniated disc. If you’re experiencing back pain, see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis, so you can receive the best treatment for you.
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What to Know About Chiropractic Care
How Does It Work?
At its core, the goal of chiropractic therapy is to encourage and support the body’s natural healing processes. Considered for cases of joint pain in the back, neck, legs, arms, feet, and hands, it typically involves sessions in which the chiropractor physically adjusts the vertebrae—known as spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustment—combined with exercise, nutrition counseling, and lifestyle adjustments.
Similar to conventional medicine, the chiropractor first performs a thorough medical evaluation and tests to establish a working diagnosis. Not only will chiropractors start treating affected areas with spinal manipulation techniques, but they will also develop a treatment plan and keep an eye on your progress.
Alongside spinal manipulation, other approaches may be used to supplement chiropractic therapy. These include:
A chiropractic adjustment does not yield instant results, rather the effects are seen as the health of the affected disc improves.
Does Chiropractic Adjustment Work?Spinal manipulation and chiropractic adjustments have been shown to ease symptoms and restore mobility in cases of chronic back pain. One wide-ranging review found that those with chronic lumbar, or low back, pain reported significant improvement after six weeks of chiropractic treatment.
Does Chiropractic Adjustment Work?
Spinal manipulation and chiropractic adjustments have been shown to ease symptoms and restore mobility in cases of chronic back pain. One wide-ranging review found that those with chronic lumbar, or low back, pain reported significant improvement after six weeks of chiropractic treatment.
Side Effects
Chiropractic treatments are generally well-tolerated and adverse events rare. Though they generally resolve within a couple of days, spinal manipulation can cause several side effects, such as:
The severe side effects of chiropractic care are more debilitating and require care. These very rare adverse events include:
Prices & Where to Get It
As with any medical treatment, the out-of-pocket expenses of chiropractic care depend on a range of factors. Insurance may or may not cover this treatment, and how much you pay can range based on the severity of your case as well as where you live. One review from 2018 found the costs ranging between $264 and $6,171.
What to Know About Surgery for Herniated Disc
A herniated disc can arise in the neck—known as the cervical spine—or, more commonly, thelumbar spine. Surgery is considered when:
Several specific techniques are used, including:
The success of surgery for herniated disc surgery depends on many factors. Advances in minimally invasive techniques have greatly improved long-term outcomes, with one review finding approximately 80% of patients reported “good/excellent” results at a six-year follow-up.
However, there’s a chance of recurrence: About 20% to 25% of those with herniated lumbar discs experience re-herniation at some point in their lifetimes.
RecoveryDepending on the case, you’ll need to spend one to three nights in the hospital following surgery for a herniated disc. Overall recovery times vary depending on the procedure used, though you can expect four or more weeks before you can resume normal activities. During this period, you’ll need to incorporate walking exercises to promote recovery, while avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activities that can injure the spine.
Recovery
Depending on the case, you’ll need to spend one to three nights in the hospital following surgery for a herniated disc. Overall recovery times vary depending on the procedure used, though you can expect four or more weeks before you can resume normal activities. During this period, you’ll need to incorporate walking exercises to promote recovery, while avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activities that can injure the spine.
Though most patients don’t experience serious side effects or adverse events, there’s always that risk with surgery. Potential side effects or complications include:
Which Treatment Is Best for You?
When choosing between chiropractic treatment and surgery for your herniated disc, a number of factors impact the decision, including:
An Informed ChoiceWhen you meet with your healthcare provider, they will give you the options that would be most effective in treating your type of herniated disc.
An Informed Choice
When you meet with your healthcare provider, they will give you the options that would be most effective in treating your type of herniated disc.
Can Chiropractic Care and Surgery for Herniated Disc Be Used Together?
Chiropractic therapy is among the more conservative treatment options for a herniated disc. Generally, surgery is only considered when noninvasive methods haven’t been able to stop the pain. As such, chiropractic therapy may be tried first before going ahead with the surgery.
Additionally, after recovery from spinal surgery, chiropractic adjustments may help with lingering symptoms. That said, it’s important to get medical clearance before going ahead.
Special care needs to be taken to cope with the side effects of recovery after treatment for a herniated disc. This may involve:
Summary
Chiropractic treatment and surgery are therapy options for herniated discs, in which the disc that cushions the vertebrae of the spine slides out of position and ruptures. The former involves physically manipulating the position of the vertebrae and can help manage symptoms and prevent the progression of the condition.
Surgeries for a herniated disc work to remove the damaged disc and stabilize the area, treating the cause of the problem.Though both are effective in taking on back problems, each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
A Word From Verywell
Living with back pain can be a tremendous burden, and yet many people struggle without seeking care. Nowadays, surgeries and noninvasive techniques are better than ever at treating the source of spine problems and managing their symptoms. If you suspect you have a herniated disc or are curious about what you can do about your back pain, call your provider to learn of your options.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Chiropractic.National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health.Chiropractic: in depth.Coulter ID, Crawford C, Hurwitz EL, et al.Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Spine J. 2018;18(5):866-879. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2018.01.013Swait G, Finch R.What are the risks of manual treatment of the spine? A scoping review for clinicians.Chiropr Man Therap. 2017;25(1). doi:10.1186/s12998-017-0168-5Dagenais S, Brady O, Haldeman S, Manga P.A systematic review comparing the costs of chiropractic care to other interventions for spine pain in the United States.BMC Health Serv Res. 2015;15:474. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1140-5American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Herniated disk in the lower back.American Academy of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.Dohrmann GJ, Mansour N.Long-term results of various operations for lumbar disc herniation: analysis of over 39,000 patients.Med Princ Pract. 2015;24(3):285-290. doi:10.1159/000375499North American Spine Society.Herniated lumbar disc.Tosteson A, Skinner J, Tosteson T et al.The cost effectiveness of surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation over two years.Spine. 2008;33(19):2108-2115. doi:10.1097/brs.0b013e318182e390Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.North American Spine Society.Herniated lumbar disc.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Chiropractic.National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health.Chiropractic: in depth.Coulter ID, Crawford C, Hurwitz EL, et al.Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Spine J. 2018;18(5):866-879. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2018.01.013Swait G, Finch R.What are the risks of manual treatment of the spine? A scoping review for clinicians.Chiropr Man Therap. 2017;25(1). doi:10.1186/s12998-017-0168-5Dagenais S, Brady O, Haldeman S, Manga P.A systematic review comparing the costs of chiropractic care to other interventions for spine pain in the United States.BMC Health Serv Res. 2015;15:474. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1140-5American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Herniated disk in the lower back.American Academy of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.Dohrmann GJ, Mansour N.Long-term results of various operations for lumbar disc herniation: analysis of over 39,000 patients.Med Princ Pract. 2015;24(3):285-290. doi:10.1159/000375499North American Spine Society.Herniated lumbar disc.Tosteson A, Skinner J, Tosteson T et al.The cost effectiveness of surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation over two years.Spine. 2008;33(19):2108-2115. doi:10.1097/brs.0b013e318182e390Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.North American Spine Society.Herniated lumbar disc.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Chiropractic.National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health.Chiropractic: in depth.Coulter ID, Crawford C, Hurwitz EL, et al.Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Spine J. 2018;18(5):866-879. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2018.01.013Swait G, Finch R.What are the risks of manual treatment of the spine? A scoping review for clinicians.Chiropr Man Therap. 2017;25(1). doi:10.1186/s12998-017-0168-5Dagenais S, Brady O, Haldeman S, Manga P.A systematic review comparing the costs of chiropractic care to other interventions for spine pain in the United States.BMC Health Serv Res. 2015;15:474. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1140-5American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Herniated disk in the lower back.American Academy of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.Dohrmann GJ, Mansour N.Long-term results of various operations for lumbar disc herniation: analysis of over 39,000 patients.Med Princ Pract. 2015;24(3):285-290. doi:10.1159/000375499North American Spine Society.Herniated lumbar disc.Tosteson A, Skinner J, Tosteson T et al.The cost effectiveness of surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation over two years.Spine. 2008;33(19):2108-2115. doi:10.1097/brs.0b013e318182e390
MedlinePlus.Chiropractic.
National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health.Chiropractic: in depth.
Coulter ID, Crawford C, Hurwitz EL, et al.Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Spine J. 2018;18(5):866-879. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2018.01.013
Swait G, Finch R.What are the risks of manual treatment of the spine? A scoping review for clinicians.Chiropr Man Therap. 2017;25(1). doi:10.1186/s12998-017-0168-5
Dagenais S, Brady O, Haldeman S, Manga P.A systematic review comparing the costs of chiropractic care to other interventions for spine pain in the United States.BMC Health Serv Res. 2015;15:474. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1140-5
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Herniated disk in the lower back.
American Academy of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.
Dohrmann GJ, Mansour N.Long-term results of various operations for lumbar disc herniation: analysis of over 39,000 patients.Med Princ Pract. 2015;24(3):285-290. doi:10.1159/000375499
North American Spine Society.Herniated lumbar disc.
Tosteson A, Skinner J, Tosteson T et al.The cost effectiveness of surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation over two years.Spine. 2008;33(19):2108-2115. doi:10.1097/brs.0b013e318182e390
American Academy of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.North American Spine Society.Herniated lumbar disc.
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