While cervical disc pathology can unquestionably produce radiculopathy, many patients presenting with arm pain, paresthesia or perceived weakness do not exhibit the clinical behavior of true nerve-root compromise. In these cases, failure to differentiate the primary pain generator may lead to unnecessary spinal injections, nerve ablation procedures or surgical consultation despite limited likelihood of benefit.
DCs Rated Higher Than MDs In Consumer Reports Survey
A Consumer Reports survey of its readers found that "hands-on" therapies, led by chiropractic care, were the top-rated treatments for people suffering from back pain and that chiropractors are the best at providing real relief.
Fifty-eight percent of those in the survey of 12,000 Consumer Reports readers rated chiropractic/spinal manipulation as helping a lot. And massage (48%) and physical therapy (46%) were close runners up. Consumers also rated their satisfaction with practitioners, telling Consumer Reports they were more likely to be "highly satisfied" with the back pain treatment received from their chiropractors (59%) than from their primary care physicians (34%).
The full report can be found on the Consumer Reports web site.