A recent study presented at the International Spine Invention Society Annual Meeting showed that only 1/3rd of patients who received cervical steroid injections actually benefitted from the procedure. Specifically, they looked at patients suffering from cervical disc herniations. The patients had previous MRI confirmed nerve root compromise.

They found that 1 month after a transforaminal injection, only 35.4% reported a reduction in their radicular pain. Last year, researchers found that every steroid injection in the lumbar spine increased the risk of fracture by 21.%. Although we don't yet know the risk of fracture in the cervical spine, it appears to be quite a chance to take if the treatment (the injections) are useless in two-thirds of patients.

Chiropractic care has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with cervical radiculopathy. As a matter of fact, a recent study showed direct reduction in nerve root pressure when a flexion/distraction type chiropractic technique was used in the cervical spine.

-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic marketing group in the profession. The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research. Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals. Join us. Lets grow chiropractic together.