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, grasping what's happening in your body can be empowering. Recent research reveals that inflammation plays a pivotal role in disc herniation pain—and the good news is that your body has some key healing mechanisms that McHenry chiropractic care at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic can support.
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 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 cause significant discomfort in the process. (1)
YOUR PATH TO RECOVERY
The encouraging news? Most people with disc herniation get better over time. A long-term study in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research found that successful outcomes depend on multiple factors, including early intervention and appropriate conservative treatment. (2)
HOW McHenry CHIROPRACTIC CARE SUPPORTS YOUR HEALING
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach that works with your body's natural healing processes. Through gentle spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and targeted exercises, chiropractors can help:
- Reduce mechanical stress on irritated nerve roots
- Improve spinal biomechanics to assist healing
- Lower localized inflammation through better motion
- Support your body's natural recovery timeline
Every patient's journey is personal, but with proper care and knowledge of the inflammatory process involved, many individuals experience significant relief from disc herniation symptoms through chiropractic treatment.
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
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 .
It's a good time to reach out to your McHenry chiropractor for an appointment.
