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, sensing what's going on 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 Carrolltown chiropractic care at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 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 changes visible on MRI scans called Modic changes, demonstrates a positive correlation with baseline symptom severity. 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 encouraging 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 Carrolltown 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
- Boost spinal biomechanics to facilitate healing
- Lower 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 individuals experience significant relief from disc herniation symptoms through chiropractic treatment.
CONTACT Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
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 .
It's a great time to reach out to your Carrolltown chiropractor for an appointment.
