Background:Sometimes pressure on a spinal nerve root in the low back can result in radiating pain or numbness extending down the leg. This is called sciatica. A commonly performed treatment for sciatica is the injection of corticosteroid drugs near the area of the spine where the nerve root is affected. A 2020 study in the premier low back journal, Spine, evaluated this treatment. Who Conducted the Study? A study in the November 15, 2020 issue of Spine examined the results of 25 clinical studies involving 2470 total patients with sciatica. This type of study, examining the results of several studies, is termed a “meta-study” or “meta-analysis”Check out our latest video on how we can help your pain!
What did the Meta-Analysis Reveal?The study found that epidural corticosteroid injections were only “probably” more effective than a placebo in reducing short-term leg pain and “may be slightly” more effective than a placebo in reducing short-term overall pain. Epidural corticosteroid injections did not provide a long-term benefit What are the Lessons Learned? Sciatica represents a development from ordinary back pain that is more serious and more debilitating. Sciatica can often result in spinal surgery. Before allowing things to get that far, try Chiropractic. Our Cox-Technic method has been shown to be very effective against sciatica, when combined with the Decompression Therapy that we also use for our sciatica patients, you have a very safe, very effective treatment for sciatica…without drugs, and without injections into your spine.Yours for better health, Jon Mills, DC
