Stronger Spine, Less Pain: The Power of Exercise for Largo Disc Herniation
If you have been told you have a lumbar disc herniation, you probably know the pain all too well—stiffness, sharp twinges, maybe even shooting pain down your leg, something called "sciatica". The upside is that recent research describes that exercise—handled the smart way—makes for an excellent extra resource to your overall treatment plan to decrease pain, restore movement, and help you feel like yourself again.
NEW STUDIES ON EXERCISE’S BENEFIT
Two big studies published in 2025—one from Acta Neurologica Belgica by Arslan and Ülger, and another from Frontiers in Medicine by Du and colleagues—studied how working out helps people with lower back disc problems. (1,2) What did they find?? Not surprising. Exercise works well..
The first study found that certain types of movement—particularly core stabilization, gentle flexibility, and low-impact aerobic exercises—can ease pressure on the discs and reduce inflammation. This produces both pain relief and enhanced movement ability. The second study went even further. It evaluated multiple clinical trials and ended by stating that exercise is more effective than rest or passive treatments in helping people recover from disc herniation. For our Largo chiropractic patients, this aligns perfectly with our whole-body, movement-focused approach which incorporates Cox® Technic treatment which is centered on movement, too! When your spine is cared for with chiropractic care and maintained by the right kind of exercise, your body can heal quicker and function better.
WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE IS BEST?
But not all exercise is created equal. These researchers emphasize that the key is a personalized program—one created for your specific needs and directed by a healthcare professional. Going too hard or doing the wrong movements can actually make things worse. That’s why working with your Largo chiropractor to build a safe, progressive plan is so important. The bottom line? If you’re dealing with a lumbar disc herniation, motion is healing. Combined with Largo chiropractic care, a focused exercise routine can speed up healing, lessen pain, and help you get back to doing what you love—without surgery or long-term meds.
Let your body move—and heal—smarter.
CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Jason Charkalis on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares the effectiveness of the chiropractic treatment plan in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for patients with back pain seeking to prevent spine surgery and feel better.
