Bottom Line: Did you know that recent research says that treatments like spinal injections can dramatically increase your risk of a cracked, or broken back. The scary part? Over 9 million of these injections are given every year for spinal pain!
New research has shown a 21% increased risk of a spinal fracture after every epidural steroid injection.
Why it Matters: Spinal fractures hurt. They require further medical treatment and sometimes result in surgery. By staying conservative with your healthcare you can reduce your risks and get the relief you desire. Research shows spinal adjustments as one of the best forms of care to reduce your pain, increase your function and improve your overall quality of life.
Injections only mask the pain temporarily.
Chiropractors are focused on correcting the cause of your pain. Misalignments of your spine can put pressure on your discs and nerves causing irritation, swelling, and a lack of spinal motion. A shot does not correct the cause of the pain, at best it only temporarily masks it. With the risks of spinal fractures, the smart decision is to get well and stay well using conservative, natural healthcare. In other words, you’re smart for continuing your chiropractic adjustments.
Next Steps: Share the science. Being well informed comes with the responsibility of sharing what you know with others who don’t. That doesn’t mean you should argue with those who are already convinced by their prejudices. It means that we encourage you to share what you know with others who are curious and can benefit from knowing the Research That Matters.
To find out more, visit the local chiropractic office of Dr. Allan Puritz serving Westminster, Finksburg, Hampstead and Manchester MD. Call today to schedule your visit at 410-848-8022.
Science Source: Spinal Manipulation Postepidural Injection for Lumbar and Cervical Radiculopathy: A Retrospective Case Series. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. September 2004. Volume 27. Number 7
Symptomatic MRI-Confirmed Lumbar Disk Herniation Patients: A Comparative Effectiveness Prospective Observational Study of 2 Age- and Sex-Matched Cohorts Treated with Either High-Velocity, Low Amplitude Spinal Manipulative Therapy or Imaging-Guided Lumbar Nerve Root Injections. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2013 May; 36(4):218-25
A Retrospective Analysis of Vertebral Body Fractures Following Epidural Steroid Injections. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, Volume 95, Issue 11 (2013, Jun 05;95(11):961-964)