Chiropractic care for herniated disc spinal manipulation brain effects chronic low back pain treatment chiropractic adjustment benefits disc herniation treatment without surgery
Chronic low back pain is one of the most common conditions we see in our office, especially in patients with lumbar disc herniation. While many people think of chiropractic care as simply treating the spine, new research shows it may also affect something even more important — the brain.
This form of treatment is particularly effective for patients struggling with disc herniation and chronic low back pain, highlighting the chiropractic adjustment benefits and offering disc herniation treatment without surgery.
🔬 What the Research Shows
A recent review published in Frontiers in Neurology examined how spinal manipulation therapy impacts the brain in patients with chronic low back pain and disc herniations.
Researchers analyzed multiple studies using advanced imaging like fMRI and found that chiropractic-type treatments may:
Change how the brain processes pain
Improve communication between brain regions
Reduce pain intensity and disability
Improve emotional health related to chronic pain
🧠 The Brain–Body Connection
The study found changes in several key brain areas:
Prefrontal cortex → involved in pain perception and decision-making
Default mode network → linked to chronic pain patterns and rumination
Visual and sensory networks → involved in how the body interprets movement and discomfort
👉 In simple terms: Chiropractic care may help “reset” how your brain experiences pain.
💥 Why This Matters for Patients
Chronic pain is not just a structural problem — it is also a neurological pattern.
This research supports what we see clinically every day:
Patients don’t just feel less pain
They move better
They function better
They often feel mentally better as well
🦴 What This Means for Herniated Discs
If you’ve been told you have a disc herniation, you may think your only options are:
Medications
Injections
Surgery
However, this research suggests that conservative care like chiropractic adjustments may:
Reduce pain
Improve function
Influence the nervous system in a positive way
⚖️ A Conservative First Approach
At Sikorsky Chiropractic Clinic, our goal is to:
Reduce pain naturally
Restore movement
Improve how your nervous system functions
We combine:
Chiropractic adjustments
Rehabilitation exercises
Neuromuscular techniques (DNS)
Personalized care plans
🧾 The Bottom Line
New research continues to support that chiropractic care is not just about joints and muscles — it may also play a role in how the brain processes pain.
If you are dealing with chronic low back pain or a disc herniation, there are effective, non-surgical options available.
Do chiropractors actually help a herniated disc? Yes, chiropractors a can help with non-surgical disc herniations.
📞 Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re struggling with back pain, schedule an evaluation to see if conservative care is right for you.
New Study Shows Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Highly Effective for Lumbar Disc Herniation
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a leading cause of lower back pain, sciatica, and mobility issues. Patients often face difficult decisions—live with chronic pain, rely on medications with side effects, or consider invasive surgery. But a major new study published in Frontiers in Medicine (2024) highlights that non-pharmacological care—especially spinal manipulation—offers significant pain relief and improved function without surgery or drugs.
Study Overview
Researchers conducted a prospective, randomized clinical trial with 240 patients diagnosed with LDH. Participants were split into four treatment groups:
Acupuncture + Manipulation (combined therapy)
Manipulation alone
Acupuncture alone
Traction therapy
Treatments lasted three weeks, and patient outcomes were measured up to three months post-treatment using two validated tools:
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) – Measures pain intensity
Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) – Evaluates lumbar function
Key Findings
Patients receiving acupuncture + spinal manipulation had the greatest overall improvement, with pain scores reduced by 63–68% and lumbar function scores improving by 55–58%.
Manipulation alone (including chiropractic-style spinal adjustments) provided substantial benefits, reducing pain by 51–55% and improving function by 41–45%—comparable to acupuncture alone.
Traction therapy was significantly less effective than manipulation or acupuncture.
Importantly, no major adverse events were reported, confirming the safety of these approaches.
Why This Matters for Chiropractic Patients
This high-quality clinical trial confirms what chiropractors have known for years:
Spinal manipulation directly addresses misalignments and nerve compression caused by herniated discs.
Chiropractic adjustments reduce inflammation, relieve pressure on affected nerves, and restore natural spinal motion.
Non-drug, manual therapy approaches can offer lasting pain relief and functional improvement—without surgery.
While combining acupuncture with manipulation had the highest success rates, spinal manipulation alone was nearly as effective, making chiropractic care a cornerstone of conservative LDH treatment.
Your Next Step
Is to get an exam to rule out any serious medical conditions—such as significant muscle weakness, loss of sensation or changes in bowel or bladder function.
Once urgent issues that might require surgery are ruled out, chiropractic care could be the safe, effective solution you’re looking for to manage pain and restore function naturally. Chiropractic care offers a safe, research-supported pathway to:
✅ Reduce pain intensity
✅ Improve mobility and function
✅ Avoid long-term reliance on drugs
✅ Support natural healing
Schedule a consultation today to see how our chiropractic team can help you find relief and get back to living pain-free.
Comparative clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with manipulation and other non-pharmacological interventions in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation: a prospective, multi-arm, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint trialhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11738951/#S9
High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude (HVLA) manipulation is a well-researched and widely used chiropractic technique that has stood the test of time. This rapid, controlled thrust moves a joint just beyond its normal physiological range—without exceeding anatomical integrity—delivering a range of therapeutic benefits.
But what exactly makes this technique so effective?
In this blog, we’ll explore five key benefits of HVLA spinal manipulation, backed by research, to help you better understand why this time-tested approach continues to be a cornerstone of chiropractic care. Whether you’re a clinician refining your technique or a patient curious about the effects of adjustments, this deep dive will shed light on the powerful impact of spinal manipulation.
1. Biomechanical Benefits: Restoring Joint Function
HVLA adjustments influence the spinal joints, muscles, and ligaments, leading to:
✅ Restored Joint Mobility – Spinal facet joints can become restricted due to poor posture, injury, or repetitive stress. HVLA helps restore mobility by stretching and repositioning these joints.
✅ Reduced Spinal Fixation – The rapid thrust breaks adhesions in the joint capsule and surrounding connective tissue, allowing for improved range of motion.
✅ Decreased Intra-Articular Pressure – HVLA manipulation improves synovial fluid motion, which lubricates the joints and enhances movement.
✅ The Cavitation Effect (“The Pop”) – The audible release during an adjustment occurs due to a sudden change in joint pressure, causing gas bubbles (CO₂, N₂, O₂) to be released from the synovial fluid.
For a deeper understanding of joint manipulation and the science behind the “pop,” check out this blog comparing historical and modern models of spinal adjustments.
HVLA spinal manipulation modulates the central and peripheral nervous system, helping to:
✅ Reduce Pain via the Gate Control Theory – The adjustment activates mechanoreceptors in the spinal joints and soft tissues, which inhibit pain signals sent from nociceptors to the brain.
✅ Relax Muscles Reflexively – Adjustments stimulate muscle spindle afferents and Golgi tendon organs, helping decrease muscle tightness and spasms.
✅ Modulate the Spinal Cord’s Pain Response – HVLA affects sensory processing in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, reducing pain sensitivity.
✅ Improve Proprioception & Motor Control – By restoring normal joint motion, HVLA enhances proprioceptive feedback, improving movement coordination and balance.
Chronic pain is a complex issue, and proper assessment is key. If you’re interested in learning more, check out this blog featuring an expert discussion on pain management strategies.
3. Neurochemical & Inflammatory Benefits: A Natural Painkiller
Did you know spinal adjustments can stimulate the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals? Here’s how:
✅ Endorphin & Enkephalin Release – HVLA stimulates the production of these natural opioids, leading to pain relief and relaxation.
✅ Reduction in Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines – Studies show that spinal manipulation reduces inflammation by lowering TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2, key mediators in chronic pain conditions like low back pain.
✅ Activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis – HVLA triggers the release of cortisol, which helps regulate inflammation and stress responses.
This means chiropractic care not only addresses mechanical pain but also has systemic effects on inflammation and stress levels.
Chiropractic adjustments do more than relieve pain—they also support circulation and fluid movement in the body:
✅ Increased Blood Flow & Oxygenation – Spinal manipulation enhances microcirculation in spinal muscles and soft tissues, promoting healing and recovery.
✅ Enhanced Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Circulation – Some research suggests that spinal adjustments improve CSF flow, which may benefit cervicogenic headaches and neurological health.
For patients suffering from tension headaches or poor circulation, spinal adjustments may offer a natural, effective treatment option.
5. Psychosocial Benefits: The Mind-Body Connection
Pain isn’t just physical—it also affects our mental and emotional well-being. HVLA adjustments help address this by:
✅ Enhancing the Placebo & Expectation Effect – A patient’s belief in the effectiveness of spinal manipulation can amplify pain relief through psychological and neurobiological pathways.
✅ Reducing Fear-Avoidance Behavior – When patients experience pain relief after an adjustment, they become more confident in movement, helping to prevent chronic pain syndromes.
The psychological side of chiropractic care is just as important as the physical benefits. If you want to learn how to better support your patients, check out this guide for actionable strategies.
When it comes to non-surgical and non-pharmacological treatments for musculoskeletal conditions, HVLA spinal manipulation is one of the most effective interventions available. By targeting biomechanical, neurological, neurochemical, and vascular pathways, this technique provides comprehensive relief for conditions such as:
✔️ Low back pain ✔️ Neck pain ✔️ Sciatica ✔️ Headaches & migraines ✔️ Joint stiffness & restricted movement
If you’re experiencing pain or movement limitations, a chiropractic adjustment could be the key to unlocking relief. Consult with a licensed chiropractor today to restore function, reduce pain, and enhance your overall well-being!
If you’re experiencing cervicalor lumbar spine pain, chiropractic care can be a highly effective and beneficial treatment. If you haven’t yet explored chiropractic care for pain relief, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment. Call us today or book online to see Dr. Sikorsky and take the first step toward improved mobility and lasting relief!
References
1. Alanazi, M. S., Degenhardt, B., Kelley-Franklin, G., Cox, J. M., Lipke, L., & Reed, W. R. (2025). Neuromuscular Response to High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulation—An Overview. Medicina, 61(2), 187.
2. César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Cristina Alonso-Blanco, Joshua A. Cleland, Cleofás Rodríguez-Blanco, Francisco Alburquerque-Sendín, Changes in Pressure Pain Thresholds Over C5-C6 Zygapophyseal Joint After a Cervicothoracic Junction Manipulation in Healthy Subjects, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 31, Issue 5, 2008, Pages 332-337
3. Chinonso Vincent Nweke (2023). Joint Mobilization and Its Resultant Effects. Cross Current Int J Med Biosci, 5(3), 72-77.
In their paper published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology, Brinjikji et al. provide insight into the commonality of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in asymptomatic individuals stratified by age. In their systematic literature review, the authors assessed 33 articles that reported imaging findings for 3110 asymptomatic individuals. [1]
Brinjiji reported that 29% of 20-year-old and 36% of 50-year-old asymptomatic patients have disc herniations on MRI. As we get older, the numbers increase. [1]
Nakashima et al. evaluated cervical spine MR images of 1211 healthy volunteers. They reported most subjects from ages 20-70 years of age presented with disc bulging (87.6%), which significantly increased with age in terms of frequency, severity, and number of levels. [2]
What does this all mean? Essentially, it highlights the importance of correlating a patient’s symptoms and clinical findings with imaging results like MRIs or X-rays. Doctors treat the patient, not the scan. While an MRI might show a disc herniation or bulge, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s the source of pain. The spine has many potential pain generators, including discs, facet joints, muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments. In some cases, your pain could be stemming from a different location entirely, even if the MRI shows an issue with a disc.
As always, if your symptoms are worsening or not improving, it’s important to follow up with your doctor. Red flags like loss of muscle strength, sensation, or function should never be ignored, as they require medical attention. In particular, loss of bowel or bladder control is a medical emergency and demands immediate care. Stay proactive about your health and seek help when necessary.
Suffering from back pain make an appointment with our clinic and see if chiropractic care can help you live a more pain free life.
The body has amazing healing capabilities. I have seen many people get better when they were told that they would need surgery. It great to see the research showing the same thing I have seen over the years of treating patients.
“The existing evidence shows that the overall resorption incidence of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) was 70.39%, the resorption incidence of ruptured LDH is higher than that of contained LDH. The resorption process mainly occurred within 6 months of conservative treatment."
The possibility of Spontaneous regression was:"
Bulging disc - 13.3%
Protruded disc- 52.5%
Extruded disc- 70.4%
Sequestered disc- 93.9%
Extruded and sequestered discs were also significantly more likely to completely regress than smaller morphologies."
Rashed S, Vassiliou A, Starup-Hansen J, Tsang K. Systematic review and meta-analysis of predictive factors for spontaneous regression in lumbar disc herniation. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. 2023 Jul 14;1(aop):1-8. Link
Zou T, Liu XY, Wang PC, Chen H, Wu PG, Feng XM, Sun HH. Incidence of spontaneous resorption of lumbar disc herniation: a meta-analysis. Clinical Spine Surgery. 2023 Jul 31:10-97. Link
One study found: 97% of Lumbar Disc Herniations Respond to Conservative Care
I have successfully treated patients who have had disc herniations. A disc herniation does not always mean you have to have surgery.
If you have a disc issue why not try conservative care first (chiropractic and physical therapy). They can help you heal with out drugs and surgery. There are other opinions.
Treatment plan of chiropractic care and corrective exercise along with hard work can save you from going under the knife.
From the study: ” Our results suggest that the majority of lumbar disc herniation patients (97%) are successfully managed non-operatively.” (Global Spine Journal)
Lilly DT, Davison MA, Eldridge CM, Singh R, Montgomery EY, Bagley C, Adogwa O. An Assessment of Nonoperative Management Strategies in a Herniated Lumbar Disc Population: Successes Versus Failures. Global Spine Journal. 2020 Jul 7:2192568220936217. Link
Dr. Steve Sikorsky | Chiropractic Care Elgin, Illinois
