The Science Behind Disc Pain: Why Inflammation Matters and How Chiropractic Supports Recovery
If you're experiencing radiating leg pain, numbness, or tingling from a herniated disc, sensing what's going on in your body can be empowering. New 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 Fernandina Beach chiropractic care at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic can help.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PAIN
When a disc herniates, it's not just mechanical pressure triggering your symptoms. Your immune system kicks into gear by sending unique cells called macrophages to the affected area. These cells are part of your body's inflammatory response, and research demonstrates demonstrate they substantially affect how much pain you experience and how quickly you recover.
A 2025 study published in Brain & Spine examined how various types of macrophages affect clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. The researchers found that macrophage activity, along with changes visible on MRI scans called Modic changes, matches up with how bad patients' symptoms are at the start. This inflammation is your body's effort to heal, but it can create 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 Fernandina Beach CHIROPRACTIC CARE SUPPORTS YOUR HEALING
Chiropractic care provides a non-invasive treatment that supports your body's healing abilities. Through gentle spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and targeted exercises, chiropractors can help:
- Decrease mechanical stress on irritated nerve roots
- Boost spinal biomechanics to facilitate healing
- Lower localized inflammation through better motion
- Reinforce your body's natural recovery timeline
Every patient's journey is personal, but with proper care and knowledge of the inflammatory process involved, many people get real relief from their herniated disc pain through chiropractic treatment.
CONTACT Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Brandon Skiles on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes relieving, gentle treatment of a disc herniation with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management .
