Effectiveness of Chiropractic Application in Individuals with Cervical Disc Herniation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of chiropractic intervention on the severity of neck pain, functional capacity, and disability level in individuals with cervical disc herniation. Method: The study population comprised of 50 individuals with cervical disc herniation who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group (n=26) and a control group (n=24). All participants received conventional physiotherapy five days a week for four weeks. In the intervention group, in addition to conventional physiotherapy, chiropractic adjustment using a diversified technique for cervical disc herniation was applied twice a week for four weeks. The McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire (MMPQ), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the Bournemouth Neck Questionnaire (BNQ) were employed to evaluate the neck pain, functionality, and disability levels of both groups before and after treatment. Findings: The combination of conventional physiotherapy and additional chiropractic intervention proved to be an effective approach for reducing neck pain and disability levels while enhancing functionality in individuals with cervical disc herniation post-treatment (p<0.001). Nevertheless, no notable discrepancies were discerned between the control and chiropractic intervention groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The application of chiropractic principles and practices was observed to result in a notable diminution of both neck pain and disability levels among those presenting with cervical disc herniation, together with an enhancement of functional abilities. Therefore, this approach may be considered as a potential alternative to existing treatment options for the management of individuals with cervical disc herniation.