The Science Behind Disc Pain: Why Inflammation Matters and How Chiropractic Supports Recovery
If you're having leg pain that goes all the way down your extremity with numbness or tingling from a herniated disc, understanding what's happening in your body can be quite helpful. Recent research shows that inflammation plays a pivotal role in disc herniation pain—and the good news is that your body has some key healing mechanisms that Largo chiropractic care at Hollstrom & Associates Inc can support.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PAIN
When a disc herniates, it is not just mechanical pressure triggering your symptoms. Your immune system responds by sending unique cells called macrophages to the affected area. These cells are part of your body's inflammatory response, and research shows they have a major impact on both pain levels and recovery speed.
A 2025 study published in Brain & Spine examined how various types of macrophages impact clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. The researchers found that macrophage activity, along with Modic changes detectable on MRI, has a direct connection to patients' symptom severity at the outset. This inflammation is your body's way of trying to heal, but it can cause significant discomfort in the process. (1)
YOUR PATH TO RECOVERY
The hopeful news? Most people with disc herniation improve over time. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research published a follow-up study showing that successful outcomes result from various factors, especially timely intervention and appropriate non-surgical treatment. (2)
HOW Largo CHIROPRACTIC CARE SUPPORTS YOUR HEALING
Chiropractic care is a gentle, non-invasive option that helps your body heal. Through gentle spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and targeted exercises, chiropractors can help:
- Decrease mechanical stress on irritated nerve roots
- Boost spinal biomechanics to assist healing
- Decrease localized inflammation through improved movement
- Support your body's natural recovery timeline
Every patient's journey is unique, but with proper care and understanding of the inflammatory process involved, many people achieve significant symptom reduction from disc herniations through chiropractic intervention.
CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Brandon Skiles on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates relieving, gentle treatment of a disc herniation with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management .
