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, grasping what's happening in your body can be quite helpful. New research reveals that inflammation plays a pivotal role in disc herniation pain—and the good news is that your body has some helpful healing mechanisms that San Jose chiropractic care at Chiropractic Solutions can help.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PAIN
When a disc herniates, mechanical pressure on a nerve may not be the only issue causing your symptoms. Your immune system kicks into gear by sending specialized 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 analyzed how different types of macrophages impact clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. The researchers found that macrophage activity, along with MRI-visible alterations known as 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 encouraging news? Most people with disc herniation get better over time. A study published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research tracked patients over time and discovered that several factors lead to success—particularly getting treatment early and receiving the right conservative care. (2)
HOW San Jose 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 assist healing
- Lower localized inflammation through better movement
- Support your body's natural recovery timeline
Every patient's journey is exceptional, 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 Chiropractic Solutions
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 .
