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 happening in your body can be extremely beneficial. Recent 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 Murfreesboro chiropractic care at Most Chiropractic Clinic 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 demonstrates demonstrate they substantially affect how much pain you experience and how quickly you recover.
A 2025 study published in Brain & Spine analyzed how various kinds of macrophages affect clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. The researchers found that macrophage activity, along with MRI-visible alterations known as Modic changes, directly correlates with the severity of symptoms patients experience at baseline. 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. 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 Murfreesboro 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 facilitate healing
- Decrease localized inflammation through improved motion
- 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 individuals achieve significant symptom reduction from disc herniations through chiropractic intervention.
CONTACT Most 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 .
It's a perfect time to reach out to your Murfreesboro chiropractor for an appointment.
