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, understanding what's going on in your body can be extremely beneficial. Recent research reveals that inflammation plays a central role in disc herniation pain—and the good news is that your body has some helpful healing mechanisms that Groton chiropractic care at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office can help.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PAIN
When a disc herniates, mechanical pressure on a nerve may not be the only issue triggering 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 proves they make a real difference in how much pain you feel and how fast you heal.
A 2025 study published in Brain & Spine analyzed how different kinds of macrophages affect clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. The researchers discovered 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 way of trying to heal, but it can trigger significant discomfort in the process. (1)
YOUR PATH TO RECOVERY
The encouraging news? Most people with disc herniation improve over time. Research published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research followed patients long-term and found that many factors contribute to successful outcomes, including early intervention and appropriate conservative care. (2)
HOW Groton 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:
- Reduce mechanical stress on irritated nerve roots
- Improve spinal biomechanics to facilitate healing
- Decrease localized inflammation through better motion
- Reinforce your body's natural recovery timeline
Every patient's journey is exceptional, but with proper care and understanding of the inflammatory process involved, many individuals find significant relief from their disc herniation symptoms through chiropractic treatment.
CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
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 .
