Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation vs Nerve Injections Root Injections

Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation vs Nerve Injections Root Injections. Dr Ken Nakamura Toronto Chiropractor

Considering chiropractic spinal manipulation for your disc herniation, or curious about the effectiveness of nerve injections for lumbar disc herniation? Before heading down the path of lower back surgery, exploring alternatives like nerve root injections or chiropractic adjustments could be beneficial.

In a detailed article on Bodi Empowerment, we explore the pros and cons of chiropractic adjustments versus nerve injections, aiming to provide you with the information needed to make an informed choice.

Chiropractic Adjustments: A Closer Look

Chiropractic adjustments involve a chiropractor positioning you on your side to perform what’s commonly known as “back cracking.” However, to accurately describe this procedure, the term “adjustment” is preferred. This technique is designed to alleviate spinal pressure and enhance spinal health.

Understanding Nerve Root Injections

Nerve root injections combine an anti-inflammatory steroid and lidocaine, a local anaesthetic used in dental procedures, into one syringe. This treatment serves two purposes: diagnosing the source of pain and providing relief. Lidocaine numbs the area for immediate pain relief, while the steroid tackles inflammation around the disc.

Nerve Root Injections Vs Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation

If you’re familiar with Guide to Lower Back Surgery, you might know that conservative treatments like chiropractic adjustments, laser therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and acupuncture are often recommended first. Nerve root injections present another alternative for addressing lumbar disc herniation.

Interesting research compared chiropractic spinal manipulation with nerve root injections in treating lumbar disc herniations[1]. This study involved 102 participants with MRI-confirmed lumbar disc herniations, divided into two groups: one receiving chiropractic adjustments, the other nerve root injections. The results provide valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of these treatments.

Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Vs. Nerve Root Injections for Lumbar Disc Herniations-Toronto downtown chiropractor

Effectiveness of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Vs. Injections

Study Findings:

A study comparing back pain treatments found that 76.5% of patients receiving chiropractic spinal manipulation reported improvements, versus 62.7% for those undergoing nerve root injections. A month post-treatment, the chiropractic group saw a 60% reduction in pain, surpassing the injection group’s 53% decrease, the latter initially facing more severe symptoms.

Side Effects:

Side effects were somewhat more common among the injection group, with three individuals feeling worse post-treatment, compared to just one in the chiropractic group. The research utilized a specific chiropractic technique, pull or push adjustment, known to potentially aggravate disc herniations, although only one patient experienced worsening conditions.

Preferred Techniques and Approaches:

The author promotes the “lumbar roll” as a superior chiropractic technique for disc herniations and recommends integrating acupuncture or other methods in the initial treatments to lower the risk of aggravating the lower back. This tailored strategy highlights the need for a diverse approach to meet individual patient needs, acknowledging that no single treatment fits all.

Safety and Methodology Critique:

The discussion also emphasizes the relative safety of chiropractic treatment for lumbar disc herniations, with serious complications being rare and usually confined to severely damaged discs[2]. Additionally, the critique on research methodologies, which often compare treatments in isolation, points out the intricacies of chiropractic care and advocates for a comprehensive approach to patient treatment and healing.

Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Options

Financial Perspective on Treatments:

Chiropractic spinal manipulation is generally less expensive than nerve root injections, offering better value from a financial standpoint. However, if your insurance covers both treatments, the cost may not significantly influence your choice. Personally, the preference leans towards avoiding chemical interventions in favour of more natural treatment methods.

Treatment Frequency and Cost Efficiency:

On average, patients underwent 11 chiropractic sessions over a month, which proved more cost-effective than receiving nerve root injections. Those with severe lumbar disc herniation may require additional treatments—more chiropractic sessions or a second injection, depending on the chosen method. The decision should ideally be based on treatment effectiveness and personal comfort with the procedure, rather than financial constraints alone.

Research and Long-Term Effects:

Studies comparing different injection types have observed long-term outcomes, such as patients treated with betamethasone and bupivacaine being less likely to opt for surgery at a 16-month follow-up compared to those receiving bupivacaine alone, where only 33% avoided surgery. This data suggests the importance of considering both immediate and longer-term effects when choosing a treatment path.

Longer-Term Follow-up

Research using other injections has shown people treated with betamethasone and bupivacaine elected not to have surgery at a 16-month follow-up whereas only 33% of those injected with bupivacaine alone avoided surgery.[4,5]

Keep in mind that both treatments were found to be effective at treating lumbar disc herniations. Essentially either treatment will do. I would always pick the chiropractic spinal manipulation, but I’m a little biased towards the natural ways.

How about you?

Tell us what you think in the comments below and like us on Facebook. This Toronto Downtown Chiropractor will answer all questions in the comments section.

  1. Peterson CK, Leeman S, Lechmann M, et al., Spinal Manipulation vs. Nerve Root Injection for MRI-Confirmed Lumbar Disc Herniation: Prospective Cohort, Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 2013; 36(4): 218-225.
  2. Oiphant D. Safety of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disc herniations: a systematic review and risk assessment. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2004; 27:197-210.
  3. Leininger B, Bronfort G, Evans R, Reiter T. Spinal manipulation or mobilization for radiculopathy: a systematic review. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2011; 22:105-25.
  4. Riew KD, Yin Y, Gilula L, et al. The effect of nerve-root injections on the need for operative treatment of lumbar radicular pain. A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Nov 2000;82-A(11):1589-93. [Medline].
  5. Riew KD, Park JB, Cho YS, et al. Nerve root blocks in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain. A minimum five-year follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Aug 2006;88(8):1722 [Medline].

Leave a Reply

  • If cervicogenic headaches are suspected, can a chiropractor inject the nerve block to diagnose it? Or does my son need to see a medical doctor for a diagnostic nerve block? He will definitely find a chiropractor to do the manipulations, but want to get a diagnosis. Already had a CT scan of his head and heart monitoring by the emergency room doctor and that was all “clean”. No-one has looked at his back or neck with an X-ray or anything. Doctors are just throwing migraine drugs at the headache that never goes away completely. Also he has neck pain, arm pain, dizziness, and scapular pain (how he ended up in emergency room) – massage seemed to help that a bit. All of the symptoms seem to be pointing towards cervicogenic headache, but we want to learn more. Thanks so much!

    • Post
      Author

      Thanks for your question Jean. A chiropractor doesn’t do injections but they can help with many types of headaches. I would go to a reputable chiropractor and see how you do. Remember this is an opinion and not a recommendation.

      Hope that helps your headache.

  • I had surgery for ap herniated disk I didn’t have pain in my back but in my hip down my leg to my ankle, after surgery I had no pain for 2 weeks, then it came back two-fold. I was set to go for the shots but it was taking to long to get an appointment so while waiting I went to a chiropractor. My pain is subsiding still in my groin area little in my lower leg and ankle. I’ve had 6 sessions with the chiropractor and my evaluation for the pain shots are now in 4 days. Do I get the shots or by going to the chiropractor will that relieve the pain now and will this last. My only other option per my Surgeon is for his to do surgery again. I do not want to go to the hospital it’ll be at least 5 days, my treatment in the hospital was horrible and will never again go willing. I can’t sit or stand for long periods or walk I am a 69 year old women but have worked out almost all of my adult life. What do you think should I get the shots and continue the chiropractic or thrust that my chiropractor will be enough?

    • Post
      Author

      Thanks for your question Carol. I think you should go to your chiropractor for a month. You can still go for the evaluation for the shots but delay the initial treatment until you give the chiropractor the chance to get better.

      If the chiropractor works great. If not get the shots? If not go for surgery?

    • That is a political answer that covers all phases. We are not fools, you covered yourself very well,I hope whoever is paying you for your expertise is aware of your unqualified answers.

      • Post
        Author

        John I have answered over 2000 comments to date helping as many people as I can. It’s too bad you look at life negatively and can’t see that I’ve given many thousands of hours of my time. If you think that’s negative you can do that. There are some people that simply give John. You must have had a tough life.

        I really hope that you can start to look at life in a more positive light. Good luck John.

        Please note that I will continue to give.

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img 9195 4 depositphotos bgremover
Dr. Ken is an award-winning chiropractor in downtown Toronto, serving a diverse clientele. He is an avid athlete, representing Ontario in the Canadian Judo Championships, and has completed the Toronto Marathon twice. Dr. Ken specializes in in treating his patients using the C3 Program.