A herniated disc is a common source of back pain that can significantly impact daily life. Many explore various treatment options, and chiropractic care is often considered. This article explores whether chiropractic adjustments can offer relief for a herniated disc.
Understanding Herniated Discs
The human spine consists of 24 vertebrae, stacked to form the spinal column. Between these vertebrae are intervertebral discs, which act as natural shock absorbers. Each disc has a soft, gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) encased within a tougher, fibrous outer ring (annulus fibrosus).
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material pushes out through a tear in the outer layer. This can happen due to age-related wear and tear or sudden injuries like improper lifting or twisting. While herniations can occur anywhere along the spine, they are most common in the lower back. Symptoms vary depending on the disc’s location and whether it compresses nearby nerves, and include localized back or neck pain, radiating pain into an arm or leg, numbness, or muscle weakness.
Chiropractic Adjustments for Spinal Issues
Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulation, involve a chiropractor applying precise, controlled force to specific spinal joints. For a herniated disc, chiropractors aim to realign affected vertebrae. This realignment is believed to reduce pressure on the disc and alleviate nerve compression.
Chiropractors may use techniques such as flexion-distraction, which gently stretches and flexes the spine using a specialized table. This method creates negative pressure within the disc, encouraging the herniated material to retract and increasing space for nutrient flow. Another technique, pelvic blocking, involves placing wedge-shaped cushions under the pelvis to gently draw the disc away from affected nerves, improving spinal alignment. These methods aim to improve joint mobility and reduce inflammation surrounding the affected disc and nerves.
Evidence for Chiropractic Effectiveness
Research suggests chiropractic adjustments can provide relief for individuals with herniated discs, particularly for pain and improved function. A 2014 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics involved 148 patients with lumbar disc herniations. It found that nearly 70% reported feeling “better” or “much better” within two weeks of chiropractic spinal manipulation, increasing to over 90% after three months.
One report noted that 95% of patients experienced improvement with chiropractic care for both acute and chronic herniated disc symptoms. Another randomized controlled trial from 2025 indicated that non-pharmacological care, including spinal adjustments, outperformed conventional treatments for chronic lumbar disc herniation, showing sustained pain improvement. While chiropractic care shows promise for mild to moderate cases, it may not be suitable for all situations, and outcomes can vary.
Important Considerations and When to Seek Care
Before beginning chiropractic care for a herniated disc, a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional is important to ensure the treatment is appropriate for the specific condition and severity. A chiropractor will assess reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation, and may order diagnostic tests to evaluate the extent of disc damage.
Certain “red flags” necessitate immediate medical attention and may contraindicate chiropractic manipulation. These include progressive neurological deficits (worsening weakness or numbness) or symptoms of cauda equina syndrome (new onset bladder or bowel dysfunction). Conditions like severe osteoporosis, spinal infections, bone tumors, or inflammatory arthritides also require caution or may preclude spinal manipulation. Open communication with all healthcare providers is advised to ensure a coordinated and safe approach to managing a herniated disc, often as part of a multi-modal treatment plan.