Unfortunately, low back pain (LBP) is one thing MOST of us cannot avoid. Chiropractic care is the most effective method of treating LBP. What about manipulative therapy (MT) AFTER surgery? Is this a good or bad idea? Does it help?

Spinal Manipulation Pros and Cons

In 2015, an article published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation discussed the pros and cons of MT after lumbar open laser microdiscectomy. Lumbar microdiscectomy is a common surgical technique to treat patients with a pinched nerve and a herniated lumbar disk. Unfortunately, patients who undergo this procedure can experience early post-surgical physical disability that reduces their ability to perform daily activities.

The objective of this study was to look at whether early individual spinal manipulation would reduce the occurrence of post-surgical disability. To do this, 21 patients (age 25-69) who had a microdiscectomy are put into either spinal manipulation or an active control group. Manipulation is 2-3 weeks after surgery two times a week for four weeks.  Researchers found patients in the MT group experienced a 55% reduction in disability. Patients in the control group reported a 5% increase in disability. Leg pain was lower by 55% in the MT group than only 9% in the control group. This study concluded that manipulation “…may be an important option for post-operative management after spinal surgery.”

Conclusion

This is another testimony that spinal manipulation can help many people avoid surgery. It can also significantly reduce back pain and disability after surgery! Spinal manipulation is the most common treatment approach by chiropractors. Although other healthcare professionals are showing greater interest in learning this skill. Manipulation must be done on a regular, concentrated basis in order to obtain the best outcomes or therapeutic results for patients. Regardless if you do/do not have surgery for LBP, the benefits of chiropractic and spinal manipulation are recommended courses of treatment.