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. New research shows that inflammation plays a central role in disc herniation pain—and the good news is that your body has some helpful healing mechanisms that Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic care at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn can help.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PAIN
When a disc herniates, it's 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 examined how different types of macrophages impact clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. The researchers discovered that macrophage activity, along with changes visible on MRI scans called Modic changes, has a direct connection to patients' symptom severity at the outset. This inflammation is your body's way of trying to heal, but it can create significant discomfort in the process. (1)
YOUR PATH TO RECOVERY
The hopeful 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 Ashburn and Herndon 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:
- 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 personal, 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 Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
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 .
Schedule your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment today.
