Chiropractic Treatment for Low Back Disc Herniation

(A review of the latest studies by Dr. George Cluen)

This case study reviews a non-surgical treatment path for a 60-year-old-male who was reasonably active and had a previous low back pain case before returning 15 months later with severe LBP and pain radiating from his right glute to his calf.

His presenting symptoms were:

• A 73 out of 100 on the Oswestry Low Back Questionnaire
• Numerical pain scale a 6-10
• Inability to stand up straight
• Altered gait
• Difficulty standing from a sitting position

His treatment path included chiropractic adjustments, traction therapy, and physiotherapy to be followed up by at-home exercises. An MRI and surgical consult showed a lateral L5, S1 disc rupture with L5 nerve impingement, but improvements at this point were enough to avoid surgery. A week later a CT guided nerve root steroid injection was performed. Within three days, the patient reported sleeping better, was able to return to work and drive.

After another 4 weeks of physical therapy the patient reported a 0 of 10 on the numerical pain scale and after another month the patient reported being able to return to light exercising and reported zeros across all pain scales. 

It should be mentioned that this patient is fit for their age, motivated and compliant with treatment. Either way, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of a non-surgical therapy mix from chiropractic to physical therapy and the assistance of a steroid injection.

Erhard RE, Welch WC, Liu B, Vignovi M. Far-lateral disk herniation: case report, review of the literature, and a description of non-surgical management. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2004;27:e3.